The graduate and undergraduate nursing programs of the Decker School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through June 19, 2019.
The Decker School of Nursing offers graduate level programs of study culminating in professional graduate degrees of Master of Science (MS) and Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) with majors in family, community health, psychiatric mental health or gerontological nursing. The Decker School also offers the research degree Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing, with emphases in rural health and vulnerable populations.
In the Master of Science program, students select one of four functional roles to pursue either as a clinical nurse specialist, administrator, educator or nurse practitioner. Dual roles are also available for additional credit. Concentrations are available in disaster preparedness and rural nursing. Forensics and palliative care concentrations are pending approval.
For those students already holding a master's degree in nursing, the Decker School offers programs leading to a certificate as a family, gerontological or primary care nurse practitioner. Students with a baccalaureate degree in nursing and certification as a nurse midwife may complete requirements for a master's degree in family nursing.
The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) program is designed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to respond more efficiently to changes in health care delivery and emerging health care needs. The DNP focuses on providing leadership for evidence-based practice, and will incorporate the advanced practice content currently included in the master's program. New courses will encompass the following essential content:
Under the guidance of a committee, students will complete a Capstone Project which will result in the implementation of a program plan for improvement of one of the following areas:
The PhD program in nursing is designed to prepare graduates for research and active scholarship in nursing that will extend the knowledge base of nursing and improve the delivery of health care for rural and vulnerable populations. Graduates will be prepared to conduct research and develop theory related to these populations. Graduates of the program will also be able to design future practice models, direct the development of policy initiatives and effect meaningful change within healthcare delivery systems. The program includes:
