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Guide to Graduate Nursing Programs
Marquette University College of Nursing graduate education prepares students for professional leadership roles in advanced nursing, nursing education and nursing research. Students obtain training in critical thinking, communication, therapeutic nursing interventions, ethical practice and multicultural competence.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) has a publication, Your Guide to Graduate Nursing Programs, which is a reference for students and practicing nurses who are considering graduate level nursing education. Learn more about the different graduate nursing education options.
Marquette is committed to diversity in its student population, faculty and staff. We take pride in our personalized approach with students and quality of all program offerings.
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Applications for all Nursing Graduate programs can be submitteddirectly to the Marquette Graduate School.
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Nursing Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
Our master of science in nursing program offers specialization options that include health systems leadership, advanced practice specialties in nurse midwifery, pediatric primary care, pediatric acute care, adult-older adult primary care, and adult-older adult acute care.
Direct Entry M.S.N. for Graduates with Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degrees
The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursingprogram for non-nursing graduates is a full-time, accelerated, 18-month program designed for individuals who hold baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing. Located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee, the 75-credit program builds upon previous, broad educational preparation and provides an intense, accelerated and specialized nursing curriculum with focused course work, hands-on learning, and clinical practice. To help students succeed, our faculty and staff offer their support every step of the way.
There are 2 sites at which this program is offered. The Milwaukee based program is an in-person program which admits students in May of each year. The Pleasant Prairie site, which admits students in fall and spring semesters, offers a hybrid program in which didactic course work is online and clinicals, skills laboratories and simulations are offered in-person.
Our program prepares graduates to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) and to begin a successful careers as registered nurses after earning their Master of Science in Nursing.
Post-master's Certificate Programs
Post-master’s certificates allow the student with a master’s degree in nursing to pursue a new specialty/certification. All programs require advanced assessment, advanced pharmacology and advanced pathophysiology either as prerequisite or as part of the post-master’s program. The number of credits in the specific post-master’s certificate depends upon the student’s previous master’s in nursing course work. A minimum of 12 credits must be taken at Marquette. For the post-master’s family nurse practitioner certificate, the applicant must either be currently certified as an adult nurse practitioner, an adult-older adult primary nurse practitioner, or a pediatric primary care nurse practitioner.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.)
The focus of ourDoctor of Nursing Practice program is advanced practice preparation at the very highest level. B.S.N to DNP students can specialize in anesthesia, pediatric-primary care, pediatric-acute care, adults-older adult primary care, adult-order adult acute care and systems leadership health care quality. A post-master's DNP program is also available.
Ph.D. in Nursing
The PhD in Nursing program, designed to develop teacher-scholars, accepts both post-B.S.N. and post-MSN students. Doctoral students develop research skills necessary for the discovery and use of new nursing knowledge and the preparation for teaching roles. The program's primary focus is on vulnerable populations — those persons at risk for adverse health outcomes. Graduates will be competent in creating strategies that impact health disparities affecting our nation.
Off Campus and Remote Learning at Marquette
Direct EntryM.S.N.for Non-Nursing Majors – Pleasant Prairie
Our full-time,accelerated Direct Entry MSN program in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, which is an hour’s drive from Chicago, allows individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline to quickly transition into a nursing career.
By leveraging a student’s previous academic experience, we are able to compress a quality nursing education into a rigorous, accelerated program steeped in online course work, hands-on learning and clinical practice. To help students keep pace, our faculty and staff offer their support every step of the way.
Students of this accredited program graduate with a strong academic and clinical foundation that prepares them for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) as well as a successful career in an advanced health care setting.
For More Information
Graduate Student Handbook
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