Academic Information
Accelerated BS in Nursing
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in Nursing program is a 15-month full time program open only to applicants who have earned a baccalaureate degree in any discipline by the date of enrollment. Applicants must meet prerequisite and admission requirements by the start of registration.
The curriculum of the Accelerated BS program is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials document, delineating the outcomes expected of graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs. The program provides a sequence of professional nursing development that proceeds from (1) understanding the theoretical basis for professional nursing practice, to (2) acquiring and applying knowledge and skills to the practice of professional nursing. Students acquire knowledge and skills in health promotion and maintenance; clinical prevention and population health; organizational and systems leadership, safety and quality improvement approaches; and information technology as it relates to patient care. They are introduced to a basic understanding of how evidence is developed, including the research process.
The program prepares beginning practitioners to assume a variety of nursing roles in different healthcare settings with patients including individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan and across the health-illness continuum. Students' clinical experiences provide opportunities for interactions and collaboration with the interprofessional team. The clinical experiences in hospital and clinic settings take place primarily in Brooklyn. The College of Nursing also maintains affiliations with a broad network of community agencies throughout the boroughs.
Admitted students take 60 credits of concentrated nursing courses in residence at Downstate College of Nursing and transfer in 65 credits of pre-requisite courses to qualify for the BS degree with a major in nursing. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
RN to BS in Nursing
The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science (BS) program is open only to registered nurses and applicants who expect to complete the process of RN licensure by the date of enrollment. The program is designed to build a professional career and prepare the RN for graduate study in nursing.
The curriculum of the RN to BS program is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials document, delineating the outcomes expected of graduates of baccalaureate nursing programs. Emphasis is on theory and skills applicable to health promotion and illness prevention; health assessment; clinical prevention and population health in community health nursing; scholarship for evidence -based practice in research; healthcare policies and interprofessional collaboration in organizational leadership and management in nursing.
Clinical experiences in community health nursing and organizational leadership and management in nursing follow the guidelines of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's White Paper on Expectations for Practice Experiences in the RN to Baccalaureate Curriculum. In addition, numerous opportunities are provided for the RN to apply nursing and other theories in their clinical practice and to enhance their development as professional nurses.
The program is offered in three semesters of concentrated study. Each semester is sixteen weeks commencing in the fall. Flexible scheduling permits study for the most part two days during the week. Blended and completely on-line courses are also included in the curriculum.
Program Requirements: To qualify for the BS degree, students must complete 125 credits of which 60 prerequisite liberal arts and general education college credits are transferred from accredited schools. A maximum of 30 nursing credits will be transferred upon satisfactory completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited school of nursing as indicated by the applicant’s most recent transcript. Thirty-five (35) remaining credits will be completed in resident while enrolled in the RN-BS Program.
Transfer Credits: Additionally, transfer credits may be awarded for Statistics and Pathophysiology when these courses are comparable to such courses offered by the College of Nursing. These transferrable courses must be taken in addition to the 60 prerequisite liberal arts and general education college credits and the 30 nursing credits required for admission.
Upon written request, courses in the areas of Physical Assessment and Research may be evaluated for equivalence.
Six (6) credits of electives are required, of which a maximum of three (3) credits may be transferred from previous accredited schools. The remaining 3 credits for electives must be taken in resident.
MS in Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
The Master of Science (MS) in Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) program prepares registered nurses with advanced theoretical knowledge, clinical judgment, and diagnostic skills that lay the foundation for the care of women throughout the lifespan.
As advanced practice nurse, the FNP is prepared to provide comprehensive primary health care services to individuals and families across their life spans, implement evidence-based practice guidelines, critically analyze and implement health care interventions based on individualized assessments of individual/family needs. The FNP practices in the context of community, with advanced knowledge, and awareness of the specific needs of people from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. FNPs practice primarily in ambulatory care settings. A primary emphasis of this advanced practice role is a holistic approach to management of family health through interdisciplinary collaboration. FNPs are among those who, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), contribute significantly to providing health care to underserved populations residing in both urban and rural settings.
The curriculum of the FNP program is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials document, delineating the outcomes expected of all graduates of master's nursing programs. It also reflects the recommendations of the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, & Education (LACE). It also conforms to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) educational guidelines and the National Task Force (NTF) Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs.
The program (44 credits) is designed to be completed in two years (six semesters) of full-time study. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national Family Nurse Practitioner certification examinations offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
The DNP Program at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences Center College of Nursing prepares nurses for the highest level of nursing practice in which they can actively participate in attaining the triple aim of healthcare: improving the patient experience of care, improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care. Our DNP Program draws upon an academic environment that embraces cultural and educational diversity to prepare students to improve the lives of underserved and difficult-to-access populations.
- For students who hold a baccalaureate degree and meet admission requirements, the DNP Program is 76-82 credits, and 10-13 semesters in length. Specialty tracks include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP).
- For students who hold a master’s degree, APRN state certification (FNP, WMHP), and meet admission requirements, advanced standing in the DNP Program will be considered (43 credits in 6-7 semesters).
Advanced Certificate in Family Nurse Practitioner
The Advanced Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is designed for registered nurses with Master of Science degree in nursing or in one of the advanced practice nursing roles. The program prepares registered nurses with the advanced theoretical knowledge, clinical judgment, and diagnostic skills that lay the foundation for the care of families across the age continuum.
As advanced practice nurse, the FNP is prepared to provide comprehensive primary health care services to individuals and families across their life spans, implement evidence-based practice guidelines, critically analyze and implement health care interventions based on individualized assessments of individual/family needs. The FNP practices in the context of community, with advanced knowledge, and awareness of the specific needs of people from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. FNPs practice primarily in ambulatory care settings. A primary emphasis of this advanced practice role is a holistic approach to management of family health through interdisciplinary collaboration. FNPs are among those who, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), contribute significantly to providing health care to underserved populations residing in both urban and rural settings.
The curriculum of the FNP program is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials document, delineating the outcomes expected of all graduates of master's nursing programs. It also reflects the recommendations of the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education (LACE). It also conforms to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) educational guidelines and the National Task Force (NTF) Criteria for Evaluation of Nurse Practitioner Programs.
The program (35 credits) is designed to be completed in six semesters. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the national Family Nurse Practitioner certification examinations offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Advanced Certificate in Nursing Education
The advanced certificate in nursing education is a hybrid, 12-credit program designed to prepare Registered Nurses with masters or doctoral degrees for educational roles in community organizations and academic settings. The program provides specialized nursing education knowledge and skills in the theoretical and scientific foundations of teaching and learning; the design of evidenced-based curricula; assessment and evaluation; and, inter-professional education and technology. Students will have the opportunity to participate in planned practice experiences in both academic and clinical settings. Students will be prepared to become leaders and change agents within nursing education and practice.
NOTE: Students currently enrolled in Downstate's graduate nursing programs may apply as non-matriculating students, click here for the PDF application. You do not need to complete the citizenship, educational, history and employment history sections.
Upon completion of the certificate, the student will be able to:
- Analyze the theoretical and scientific knowledge bases of teaching & learning
- Compare and contrast various nurse educator roles in academia, healthcare organizations, and the community
- Create innovative proposals for educational programs using theoretical and scientific knowledge
- Design teaching and learning activities appropriate to diverse groups and settings
- Use a variety of teaching methods and technology aligned with: intended learning outcomes, teacher and student characteristics, and the educational and healthcare environments
- Apply the evaluation components of a complex, comprehensive program
- Implement a strategic quality improvement process for a nursing education program
Admission Requirements:
- Master of Science or doctoral degree from an accredited nursing program
- Evidence of successful completion of graduate level pathophysiology, pharmacology and physical assessment (3'Ps)
- Two letters of recommendation
- A current unencumbered New York State R.N. license
- A cumulative Master's Level Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- One year of clinical experience preferred
- Candidates may be called for an interview
For application and additional information: admissions@downstate.edu
Advanced Certificate in Women's Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The Advanced Certificate in Women's Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program is designed for registered nurses with Master of Science degree in nursing or in one of the advanced practice nursing roles. The program prepares registered nurses with the advanced theoretical knowledge, clinical judgment, and diagnostic skills that lay the foundation for the care of women throughout the lifespan.
Women's Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP) provide comprehensive, culturally sensitive primary health care, though a holistic perspective that emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention to women throughout the lifespan. The WHNP is prepared to implement evidence-based practice guidelines, critically analyze and implement health care interventions based on individualized assessments of women's health care needs. The WHNP practices with advanced knowledge, and awareness of the specific needs of women from diverse populations and cultural backgrounds. A primary emphasis of this advanced practice role is a holistic approach to management of women's health, which is facilitated through interdisciplinary collaboration.
As advanced practice nurses, WHNPs perform comprehensive health assessments; conduct risk analyses; provide client education and counseling to promote wellness and prevent disease; diagnose and treat common health problems and acute and chronic conditions. The primary focus of the care provided by Women's health Nurse Practitioners is in the area of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
The curriculum of the WHNP program is based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials document, delineating the outcomes expected of all graduates of master's nursing programs. It also reflects the recommendations of the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education (LACE). It also meets the guidelines of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health.
The program (35 credits) is designed to be completed in five semesters. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for licensure in New York State and to sit for the national certification examination given by the National Certification Corporation (NCC), which is the certifying body for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal advanced practice nurses.
Additional Required Program Fees
The following PDF files list additional fees for various items not listed in the Tuition and Fees webpage for the College of Nursing. They include a description of the fee and due dates.