School of Nursing - Duquesne University - Overview
About Duquesne University
Founded in 1878, Duquesne University is a coeducational, Catholic university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the northeastern region of the United States. It offers more than 10,000 students top-quality, innovative academic programs that prepare them for leadership roles in their professions and communities.
U.S. News & World Report's 2012 ranking of America¿s Best Colleges placed Duquesne University tied at 119 among more than 1,600 colleges and among the top 10 Catholic universities in the nation. It is 43 on the Great Schools Great Prices list.
The 2012 Princeton Review's The Best 376 Colleges recommends Duquesne as one of the country's best institutions for undergraduate education.
Duquesne University is sixteenth in the nation among small research universities, according to a Chronicle of Higher Education index that measured faculty productivity among more than 7,300 doctoral programs.
Duquesne University School of Nursing
The School of Nursing at Duquesne University helps students acquire the nursing expertise and credentials needed to work with families, groups, individuals, and communities. The school provides a culturally-diverse learning environment that consists of dedicated faculty, rigorous coursework, and access to academic resources including modern laboratories, study abroad opportunities, nursing organizations, and research centers.
Online Graduate Programs in Nursing
All of the graduate programs in nursing at Duquesne University are offered online. Rigorous in nature, online programs begin and end according to the university's calendar and are structured like those that are held in traditional classrooms.
Classes include readings, assignments, in-depth discussions, regular deadlines, student collaborations, and feedback from faculty. Most of the online graduate nursing programs are offered on both a full-time and part-time basis, and some of them require on-campus residencies.
Master of Science in Nursing
The online M.S.N. program was created for nurses whose career goals and interests include (1) facilitating effective change in the health care delivery system, (2) ensuring quality patient care, and (3) enhancing the nursing profession. The program includes 3 specializations: family nurse practitioner, forensic nursing, and nurse educator.
Post-master's Certificates
Individuals who hold M.S.N. degrees may acquire advanced skills in specialized areas by earning post-master's certificates from Duquesne University. Certificate programs, which are only offered online, include family nurse practitioner, forensic nursing, nurse educator, and transcultural/international nursing.
Doctor of Philosophy Program in Nursing
The Ph.D. in Nursing program focuses on helping students strengthen their research skills to enhance the body of knowledge about nursing practice. Major research areas include vulnerable populations, cultural competence, forensics, social justice, and health promotion.
Students can earn their Ph.D. degrees online, but they must attend a 1-week residency at Duquesne University during each of the years over which they are completing their coursework (a period of 2 to 4 years).
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Nurses who pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree gain the skills needed to "transform the health care delivery system." They develop a strong evidence-based foundation and learn how to effectively assess healthcare policy, create organizational effectiveness, and develop new models for patient care services.
The 33-credit D.P.N. program is designed to be completed in 2 years. Students can take all classes online, and they attend a 1-week, on-campus residency each year
Accomplished Nursing Faculty at Duquesne University
Duquesne University's nursing faculty members collaborate with students to create a community of learning that facilitates academic and professional excellence. Faculty members also publish research articles in academic journals, write books, present their research at conferences, and serve on review boards of scholarly journals.
Assistant Professor Luann Richardson, Ph.D. -- whose research interests include cardiovascular/heart failure and spirituality and healthcare -- is just one of the accomplished faculty members in the School of Nursing. She has published several journal articles, presented her work at numerous conferences, and participated in a wide-variety of professional and community service initiatives.
Nursing Research at Duquesne University
The School of Nursing's research institutes assist students and faculty with their research endeavors and serve the community through several innovative centers. The Center for Nursing Research provides support services that help faculty and students conduct research that advances nursing science. The Center for Health Care Diversity provides community nursing research, education and training for nurses, health policy development, and community service. The Nurse-Managed Wellness Center, which provides holistic, culturally competent care to vulnerable populations, provides research opportunities for students.
Graduate Student Support at Duquesne University
Online support services include new student orientation, graduate academic advisors, and nursing faculty mentorships. Students also receive research assistance, technical support, and writing support.
They can take advantage of the extensive healthcare resources and assistance that Duquesne's library offers. In addition, they may participate in distance education conferences and networking opportunities.
Financial Aid for Graduate Students
Duquesne University (DU) offers nursing students several financial resources including the Advanced Education Nurse Traineeship program that grants paid training assignments for a maximum of 36 months. Students may also receive federal loans, work study jobs, and scholarships. In addition, they may be able to acquire teaching or research assistantships for nursing faculty that can be fulfilled online.
The university also offers a 30 Percent Tuition Discount Program to students who are registered nurses and employees at the university's partner organizations.