As the southernmost state located in New England, Connecticut is the third least extensive and fourth most densely populated state in the United States. Known as the “Constitution State” and “Land of Steady Habits” in the Tri-State area, Connecticut has a reputation for being in the insurance capital of the entire globe. However, the state also packs a punch when it comes to graduate nursing programs from top-ranked universities. The following are the accredited Master’s level degree programs in various nursing specialties in Connecticut.
Fairfield University
School of Nursing
Located along the coastline of Connecticut just 60 miles from New York City, Fairfield University is a private Jesuit institution with strong roots in the world’s oldest intellectual and spiritual traditions. As one of just 28 member institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, Fairfield University is currently ranked as the 3rd best college in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Approved by the National League for Nursing (NLN), the Fairfield School of Nursing has also been nationally recognized for excellence with the 99th best graduate nursing program in the United States.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – The FNP program is focused on preparing advanced practice nurses for family nurse practice across the age spectrum, from newborn babies to elderly adults. Students are required to complete 51 credits of coursework, including 12 credits of practicum experience, which aims to develop skills in clinical judgment, theory, assessment, diagnostic reasoning, outcome evaluation, and evidence-based applied practice.
MSN Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA) – As a recent addition to the School of Nursing, the Nurse Anesthesia program is designed to prepare students for gaining the credentials to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Within the rigorous 29-month, full-time program, students are required to complete all of the master’s in nursing science core courses, specialty courses within the concentration, and clinical hours at the nearby Bridgeport Hospital.
MSN Nursing Leadership – The Nursing Leadership program is offered to students who are interested in fulfilling much-needed leadership roles at all levels of healthcare organization to produce better patient outcomes and improved coordination of medical service delivery. Enrolled students in the program have the freedom to choose from two separate tracks, which are Clinical Systems Leadership and Integrated Healthcare Leadership.
MSN Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (PsyNP) – The PsyNP program is designed to prepare students for working with patients of all ages from diverse cultural backgrounds who are suffering from a variety of mental illnesses, including mood, addiction, anxiety, and eating disorders. Students in the program are required to complete 53 credits of coursework and 12 credits of practicum experience in a mental health clinical setting with faculty supervision.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Connecticut State Board of Examiners for Nursing
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
School of Nursing Room 102
1073 North Benson Rd.
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 254-4150
[email protected]
https://www.fairfield.edu/graduate-and-professional-studies/egan-school-of-nursing-and-health-studies/programs/
Hospital of St. Raphael
School of Nurse Anesthesia
Located in the heart of New Haven, the Hospital of St. Raphael is a 1,541-bed community teaching hospital that was first founded in 1907 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. In 2012, the hospital was acquired by the Yale-New Haven Hospital to become the second campus of the nationally acclaimed hospital. Not only is the hospital ranked as the best in Connecticut, Yale-New Haven Hospital and its St. Raphael campus are nationally recognized in ten adult and five pediatric specialties. The School of Nurse Anesthesia is one of just three schools in the state exclusively dedicated to creating qualified CRNA advanced practitioners.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Program
Master of Science in Biology with Concentration in Nurse Anesthesia – Within a rigorous 29-month format that starts annually each May, the MS in Biology with a concentration in Nurse Anesthesia program is offered in conjunction with coursework at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain. Students spend the first 12-months in a didactic phase at CCSU and the second half of 17 months in a clinical phase with hands-on experience in the Hospital of St. Raphael or the program’s clinical affiliates.
Accreditations
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (CANAEP)
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA)
Contact Information
1423 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06511
(203) 789-3351
[email protected]
http://www.hsrsna.com/design.htm
Southern Connecticut State University
School of Health and Human Services
Nestled in the historic and creative Westville Village about three miles from the center of downtown New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a public academic institution in a vibrant and diverse community of more than 11,000 students. SCSU is the leading provider in the Connecticut State University system to produce the greatest number of graduates in health and life sciences. Within the School of Health and Human Services, the Nursing Department has been nationally recognized as having the 357th best graduate nursing programs in the nation.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) – Offered conveniently in both full-time and part-time study options, the CNL program focuses on preparing students to assume leadership roles and manage complex cohorts of patients in a wide range of healthcare organizations. Within the 42-credit program, students are required to complete 24 credits of core courses, 12 credits of clinical experience totaling 500 hours of practice, and a thesis or culmination project.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – For nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and are interested in advancing their career to serve the needs of patients across the age spectrum, the FNP program enables students to gain experience in women’s health, pediatrics, family practice, and internal medicine concurrently. In addition to 42 credits of coursework inside the classroom, students are required to complete 16 hours of clinical practice each week.
MSN Nurse Educator – The Nurse Educator program track is designed for registered nurses with a BSN and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher who have a passion for both nursing and teaching. After completing the required 24 credits of core courses, 18 credits of concentration courses, and a thesis project, graduates are prepared to assume teaching roles in higher education settings to educate the newest generation of nurses.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
501 Crescent St. NCB 101
New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 392-6475
[email protected]
http://www.southernct.edu/academics/schools/health/academic-programs/nursing/graduateprograms/index.html
University of Connecticut
School of Nursing
Surrounded by farmland in the sleepy rural town of Storrs about a 30-minute drive away from the state capital, the University of Connecticut is one of the nation’s leading public research universities that is renowned for delivering a remarkable range of educational opportunities. Not only is UConn ranked among the top 25 best values in public colleges by Kipliner’s Personal Finance, the U.S. News and World Report has named it as the 57th best college and 19th top public school in America. The UConn School of Nursing has also been nationally recognized as providing students with the 79th best graduate nursing programs in the country.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) – Within the two-year AG-ACNP program, students are prepared to assess, diagnose, monitor, treat, and coordinate the health services of individual adults who are acutely and critically ill. In order to ensure students are eligible to take the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification exam, the program requires 33 credits of coursework and 12 credits of clinical practicum.
MSN Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) – Designed to prepare students to diagnose and treat individuals with a variety of common acute and chronic conditions, the AGNP program focuses on health promotion and disease prevention to support healthy lives for adult patients. Students in the program are required to complete 45 total credits within two years full-time or three years part-time.
MSN Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) – With a minimum of 34 credits of coursework and 6 credits of clinical leadership immersion, the CNL program is based on a strong curriculum of health assessment, pharmacology, advocacy, research, nursing science, statistics, leadership, and health policy. Upon completion, graduates are well-prepared as advanced generalists to administer and coordinate care throughout the healthcare industry.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – The FNP program track is designed for students with a passion for delivering quality care for patients beginning in childhood and continuing throughout the entire aging process. Within the required 47 credits of coursework, students gain expertise in health promotion, evidence-based practice, epidemiologic approaches, holistic care, community systems, and clinical problems across the lifespan.
MSN Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner (NCNS or NNP) – Depending on future advanced practice nursing goals, students can choose to enroll in the NCNS or NNP program track to assume roles in neonatal intensive care settings. Within the 44 credit program, students complete coursework in nursing science, health assessment, pathophysiology, embryology, and neonatal nursing practicum experiences.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Augustus Storrs Hall, Room WW17
231 Glenbrook Road
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-1937
[email protected]
University of Hartford
Department of Health Sciences and Nursing
Positioned at the midway point between the hubs of Boston and New York City in central Connecticut, the University of Hartford is a private institution that perfectly blends the atmosphere of a small intimate residential college with an array of academic opportunities characteristic of much larger universities. The U.S. News and World Report survey currently ranks the University of Hartford as the 98th best college in the North. The Department of Health Sciences and Nursing has also been nationally recognized as the 265th best graduate nursing program in the country.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Nursing Education – In order to meet the rising demand for nursing instructors and clinical educators in the thriving healthcare industry, the Nursing Education program track focuses on curriculum development, theories of teaching and learning, and practical experiences in both academic and healthcare settings. Designed for part-time study, the program can be completed in two to four years depending on various working nurse schedules.
MSN Nursing Management – The Nursing Management program track consists of 34 credits in rigorous curriculum covering research, advanced practice nursing, economics, finances, theoretical basis of management, and an administrative practicum. Upon successful completion, graduates are prepared for positions as nurse managers in acute and long-term care settings.
MSN Public Health Nursing – Within the Public Health Nursing track, nurses are prepared to synthesize clinical nursing practice with public health theories to help promote the health of families, groups, communities, and whole populations. Students enrolled in the program are required to complete 34 credit hours, including a practicum and seminar in public health.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE)
Contact Information
Auerbach Hall Room 228
200 Bloomfield Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 768-4213
[email protected]
https://www.hartford.edu/academics/schools-colleges/enhp/academics/department-of-nursing/default.aspx
University of Saint Joseph
School of Health and Natural Sciences
The University of Saint Joseph is a comprehensive private institution enhanced by the Roman Catholic intellectual tradition and values. Serving a diverse intergenerational community of more than 2,000 students, USJ is situated on a beautiful 84-acre campus in a suburban setting just one mile outside of West Hartford. Selected as a Catholic College of Distinction, the U.S. News and World Report survey has distinguished USJ as the 95th best college in the North. The School of Health and Natural Sciences has also been recognized as offering the 357th best graduate nursing programs in the nation.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – The FNP program track is designed to be completed on a full-time basis over two years or a part-time basis over three years, leading to board certification. The program aims to prepare students for leadership roles in health promotion and therapeutic clinical practice to deliver high-quality primary care to families across the lifespan.
MSN Nurse Educator – Focused on the development of nurses as educators for both academic and clinical healthcare environments, the Nurse Educator program provides rich experiences for observation, clinical teaching practice, and classroom management. All core and specialty courses are taught in an online format, but the program requires an advanced clinical practicum involving teaching alongside an experienced nurse educator in a classroom setting.
MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced practice as a board certified Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, the PMHNP program is offered on a part-time basis during late afternoon and evening hours. Students are required to complete a clinical learning experience in a change agent role within a wide range of clinical mental health agencies.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing
Contact Information
1678 Asylum Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 232-4571
[email protected]
https://www.usj.edu/academics/sihs/nursing/nursing-ms/
Western Connecticut State University
School of Professional Studies
As an urban public academic institution, Western Connecticut State University serves more than 6,000 students from throughout the Tri-State area of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. The university has two campuses in Danbury, including a 34-acre main campus in downtown Danbury called Midtown and a 364-acre campus three miles on the outskirts of town called Westside. Within the WCSU School of Professional Studies, the Nursing Department has been nationally recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as having the 411th best graduate nursing programs in the nation.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) – Through a combination of foundation theories, role components specific to adult nurse practitioners, and a concentrated practicum, the ANP program consists of 36 credits and 540 hours of clinical experience. Students are actively engaged in a strong curriculum of pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, nursing research, nursing management, and clinical nursing practice.
MSN Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS) – The ACNS program prepares nurses for generalist roles as advanced practice nurses in adult health through an evidence-based intervention approach. Designed for part-time study over the course of four years and no more than six years, the program track involves 36 credits of specialized professional coursework and a minimum of 500 clinical practicum hours.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
181 White St.
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 837-8576
[email protected]
https://www.wcsu.edu/nursing/graduate/
Yale University
School of Nursing
Considered one of the most prominent Ivy League universities in the world, Yale University is a private research institution located in New Haven. As a major international center of learning, Yale has been named as the 3rd best college and 2nd best value school in the entire United States. The distinguished School of Nursing has also been recognized as having the 7th best graduate nursing programs in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. It is also ranked as being 1st for Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, 9th for Adult Nurse Practitioner, 7th for Family Nurse Practitioner, 2nd for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and 5th for Nursing Midwifery in the nation.
Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs
MSN Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) – The ACNP program track is designed to prepare acute care nurse practitioners to assess and treat the needs of acutely and critically ill patients across the full continue of adult health services. After completing the required 52 credits and 934 clinical hours, graduates become eligible for applying for certification through the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center.
MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) – With a strong emphasis on the primary care of youth, adolescents, adults, and the elderly for family-centered patient care, the FNP program consists of 53 credits and 732 total clinical hours of practicum experience to prepare students for national certification examinations.
MSN Nurse Midwifery – The Nurse Midwifery program is strongly centered on the independent management of primary care needs for women and newborns during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. Through a required 50 credits of coursework and 1,350 clinical hours, nurses are given extensive experience in women’s healthcare systems.
MSN Nursing Management, Policy, and Leadership (NMPL) – The NMPL program aims to help students develop leadership skills to effectively participate in policy decision making. Nurses enrolled in the part-time three-year program track actively contribute to 40 credits of hybrid online curriculum, including two engaging nursing management clinical practicum experiences.
MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) – Consisting of 45 credits and 521 specialized clinical hours, the two-year PNP program track prepares nurses for expanded advanced roles in the provision of primary care for children and adolescents under the age of 21.
MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) – Focused on theories, research evidence, clinical evaluation, mental health assessments, psychopathology, psychotherapy techniques, and diagnosis, the PMHNP program requires a minimum of 52 credits and 765 clinical hours in a mental health setting.
MSN Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) – Within a 50-credit program track with a minimum requirement for 1,350 clinical hours in a women’s healthcare setting, the two-year WHNP program aims to prepare nurses for providing family-centered primary and gynecological care to women across the lifespan.
Accreditations
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
American College of Nursing Midwives (ACNM)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
400 West Campus Drive
P.O. Box 27399
Orange, CT 06477
(203) 785-2389
[email protected]