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Academics

At Penn Nursing, students at every level are afforded an exceptional Ivy League education, and are taught by the top nurse researchers in the country.

Undergraduate 

Our undergraduate BSN program is focused on hands-on clinical practice and nursing research, and offers students the chance to study abroad, to practice in high-fidelity simulations, and to pursue dual-degrees and graduate-level coursework while still an undergraduate. We also offer a Nutrition major in partnership with Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences. The minors we offer reflect the changing face of healthcare today and speak to the areas most in need of skilled nurse clinicians and researchers.

Undergraduate Programs


Master’s

Our highly-ranked MSN programs focus on the science and practice of nursing in a wide range of specialty areas. Interested students also have the opportunity to supplement their MSN program with one of our graduate certificate programs. Additionally, we also offer Post-Graduate APRN Certificate programs for nurse practitioners who have previously earned their MSN or DNP, as well as Certificate Programs for Master’s-prepared nurses. 

Our online Master of Science in Nutrition Science program, built upon years of research and a stellar reputation for high-quality education in Nutrition Science, is designed to meet the educational needs of multiple licensed health care professionals, trainees, and students seeking a rigorous graduate education in advanced nutrition science.

Master of Science in Nursing Programs

Master of Science in Nutrition Science


Doctoral

Our doctoral programs are committed to producing leaders in the field of nursing science, both in scholarship and research (PhD) and clinical scholarship and practice (DNP).

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)


Departments

All of our academic programs fall under two departments: Family and Community Health and Biobehavioral Health Sciences.


Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is fundamental to every course and all programs of study. The International Center for Academic Integrity states that ‘Academic integrity is a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action.’ Adherence to the University of Pennsylvania Code of Academic Integrity is required of every student in all coursework and all course interactions. Please refer to Penn Nursing guidance on University of Pennsylvania Student Policies.

Penn Nursing News

  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2157-commentary-on-the-ninr-shift-in-research-funding"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/94,0,473,380/ignore_cropper/1/13256_MicrosoftTeams-image_16.rev.1658166025.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="379" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2157-commentary-on-the-ninr-shift-in-research-funding">Commentary on the NINR Shift in Research Funding Priorities</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> As one of 27 institutes of the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is responsible for supporting research that improves health and saves lives. Over the past year, it engaged the nursing community as it developed its new strategic plan. The outcome may result in potential shift in research funding priorities while advancing priorities, methods and approaches needed to solve current and pressing health issues.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2201-penn-nursing-professor-emerita-named-a-2022"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/438,0,2447,2009/ignore_cropper/1/8671_pennnursing_nov18_0416_cropped.rev.1550071866.jpg" alt="Neville E. Strumpf, PhD, Professor of Nursing and Dean Emerita." class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/438,0,2447,2009/ignore_cropper/1/8671_pennnursing_nov18_0416_cropped.rev.1550071866.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/438,0,2447,2009/ignore_cropper/1/8671_pennnursing_nov18_0416_cropped.rev.1550071866.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2009" data-max-h="2009"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2201-penn-nursing-professor-emerita-named-a-2022">Penn Nursing Professor Emerita Named a 2022 Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf recently recognized 11 women as Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania, highlighting their extraordinary achievements and contributions to the commonwealth at an event at the Governor’s Residence. One of them was <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/profiles.php?id=70">Neville Strumpf, PhD, RN FANN</a>, Professor Emerita of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Penn Nursing).</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2186-buividas-chair-for-perez"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/161,0,1667,1507/ignore_cropper/1/12157_Adriana_Perez_for_Award_Announcement.rev.1639678793.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/161,0,1667,1507/ignore_cropper/1/12157_Adriana_Perez_for_Award_Announcement.rev.1639678793.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/161,0,1667,1507/ignore_cropper/1/12157_Adriana_Perez_for_Award_Announcement.rev.1639678793.png 3x" data-max-w="1506" data-max-h="1507"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2186-buividas-chair-for-perez">Buividas Chair for Perez</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/">Penn Nursing</a>’s <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/profiles.php?id=10">Adriana Perez, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN</a>, Associate Professor of Nursing in the <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academics/fch/">Department of Family and Community Health</a>, has been appointed the Anthony Buividas Term Chair in Gerontology. Dr. Perez is a Scientist at the <a href="https://ldi.upenn.edu/education/penn-ldi-training-programs/cicada/">Center for Improving Care Delivery for the Aging</a> (CICADA), <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dbsr/resource-centers-minority-aging-research-rcmar">Penn’s Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (</a>RCMAR), funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). She has constructed a community-engaged research portfolio focused on designing and testing of theory-based and culturally relevant interventions for elder Latinx adults. Her passion for community engagement and community research and the relationships she builds in Latinx communities throughout the city of Philadelphia, is a testament of her leadership.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2270-president-ceo-of-the-robert-wood-johnson"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/186,0,852,666/ignore_cropper/1/14016_Besser_Rich_SH2018.rev.1678803661.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="666" data-max-h="666"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2270-president-ceo-of-the-robert-wood-johnson">President & CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to be 2023 Penn Nursing Commencement Speaker</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> Dr. Richard Besser, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation’s largest health philanthropy, will serve as the 2023 Penn Nursing commencement speaker. The event will take place at 3:00 PM EST on <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/calendar/view/event/date/20230515/event_id/4265">Monday, May 15, 2023, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.</a></p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2159-penn-nursing-re-designated-a-who-collaborating"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/837,0,2995,2160/ignore_cropper/1/13266_World-Health-Organization-WHO-Symbol.rev.1659018397.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/837,0,2995,2160/ignore_cropper/1/13266_World-Health-Organization-WHO-Symbol.rev.1659018397.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/837,0,2995,2160/ignore_cropper/1/13266_World-Health-Organization-WHO-Symbol.rev.1659018397.png 3x" data-max-w="2158" data-max-h="2160"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2159-penn-nursing-re-designated-a-who-collaborating">Penn Nursing Re-designated a WHO Collaborating Center for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> The <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/">University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing</a> (Penn Nursing) has been re-designated as a <a href="http://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/global-health/global-partnerships/world-health-organization/#:~:text=In%201988%2C%20Penn%20Nursing%20earned,supporting%20WHO%20global%20health%20priorities.">Collaborating Center for Nursing and Midwifery Leadership</a> for an additional four-year term. As a Collaborating Center, Penn Nursing commits to advancing the workplan of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) related to human resource development and the sustainable development goals (SDG’s) during each four-year cycle of work.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2115-for-seven-years-running-penn-nursing-is-1-in-the"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/274,41,533,300/ignore_cropper/1/12332_QS_2022_560x380.rev.1649255071.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="259" data-max-h="259"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2115-for-seven-years-running-penn-nursing-is-1-in-the">For Seven Years Running, Penn Nursing is # 1 in the World</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> The <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu">University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing</a> (Penn Nursing) is again ranked in the top spot for 2022 according to a recent ranking by <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2022/nursing">QS World University</a>. The rankings highlight the world’s top universities in 51 different subject areas based on academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact. Since 2016, Penn Nursing has been ranked first.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2086-forwarding-nurse-led-innovation"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/379,0,1478,1100/ignore_cropper/1/12222_leading_hero.rev.1641850535.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/379,0,1478,1100/ignore_cropper/1/12222_leading_hero.rev.1641850535.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/379,0,1478,1100/ignore_cropper/1/12222_leading_hero.rev.1641850535.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1099" data-max-h="1100"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2086-forwarding-nurse-led-innovation">Forwarding Nurse-Led Innovation</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary">In order for nurses to lead in health and health care innovation, schools of nursing and nursing programs must think strategically about the knowledge and skills the next generation of nurses will need and then support those innovation needs at all levels of research, education, and practice.</div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2047-kimberly-reda-grn23"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,500/ignore_cropper/1/12088_Humans_of_Penn_Nursing_1000x500_2.rev.1635787612.png" alt="Kimberly Reda, GRN’23" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,500/ignore_cropper/1/12088_Humans_of_Penn_Nursing_1000x500_2.rev.1635787612.png 2x" data-max-w="1000" data-max-h="500"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2047-kimberly-reda-grn23">Kimberly Reda, GRN’23</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary">“I have been lucky enough to work in multiple areas of nursing including ER, trauma, critical care, cath lab and then cardiology and cardiac surgery as a NP.</div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2224-penn-collaboratory-to-fund-more-than-21m-in-grants"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,5760,3840/ignore_cropper/1/12162_MicrosoftTeams-image_18.rev.1640014698.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,5760,3840/ignore_cropper/1/12162_MicrosoftTeams-image_18.rev.1640014698.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,5760,3840/ignore_cropper/1/12162_MicrosoftTeams-image_18.rev.1640014698.png 3x" data-max-w="5760" data-max-h="3840"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2224-penn-collaboratory-to-fund-more-than-21m-in-grants">Penn Collaboratory to Fund more than $2.1M in Grants in Year One</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p><a href="http://pennaitech.org">The Penn Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory for Healthy Aging</a> (PennAITech) – made up of Penn’s <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu">School of Nursing</a>, the <a href="https://www.med.upenn.edu/">Perelman School of Medicine</a>, and other departments across the University – focuses on identifying developing, evaluating, commercializing, and disseminating innovative technology and artificial intelligence methods/software to support aging. It’s made possible through a grant from the National Institute on Aging, a part of the National Institutes of Health. In its first year, and through a competitive national grant review process, twelve applicants from academia, industry, and clinical practice across the United States have been selected for funding.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2096-penn-nursing-professor-appointed-to-new-national"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/985,0,2592,1607/ignore_cropper/1/10328_Alison_Buttenheim_2016.rev.1581361077.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/985,0,2592,1607/ignore_cropper/1/10328_Alison_Buttenheim_2016.rev.1581361077.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/985,0,2592,1607/ignore_cropper/1/10328_Alison_Buttenheim_2016.rev.1581361077.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1607" data-max-h="1607"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2096-penn-nursing-professor-appointed-to-new-national">Penn Nursing Professor Appointed to New National Committee</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/profiles.php?id=37">Alison Buttenheim, PhD, MBA</a>, the Patricia Bleznak Silverstein and Howard A. Silverstein Term Endowed Professorship in Global Women’s Health in <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu">Penn Nursing</a>’s <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academics/fch/">Department of Family and Community Health</a>, has been named a member of a new National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) <a href="https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/02-17-2022/future-directions-for-applying-behavioral-economics-to-policy-meeting-1-day-1">committee</a> that will assess future prospects for the broader use of behavioral economics in public policy.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2316-celebrating-the-class-of-2023"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/2443,0,7942,5504/ignore_cropper/1/14250_MicrosoftTeams-image_42.rev.1684335949.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/2443,0,7942,5504/ignore_cropper/1/14250_MicrosoftTeams-image_42.rev.1684335949.png 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/2443,0,7942,5504/ignore_cropper/1/14250_MicrosoftTeams-image_42.rev.1684335949.png 3x" data-max-w="5499" data-max-h="5504"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2316-celebrating-the-class-of-2023">Celebrating the Class of 2023!</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> Penn Nursing celebrated the Class of 2023 on May 15 with our annual commencement ceremony at the <a href="https://www.kimmelculturalcampus.org/">Kimmel Cultural Campus</a>. We celebrated their achievements, their studies, their work, their honors, along with all of their families, friends, and the Penn Nursing community. It is an honor to welcome them among the ranks of the <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/alumni/">Penn Nursing Alumni</a>.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2283-new-insight-into-optimal-protein-dosing-for"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2000,1125/ignore_cropper/1/14086_compher-charlene-protein-teaser.rev.1681313601.jpg" alt="University Communications" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2000,1125/ignore_cropper/1/14086_compher-charlene-protein-teaser.rev.1681313601.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2000,1125/ignore_cropper/1/14086_compher-charlene-protein-teaser.rev.1681313601.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2000" data-max-h="1125"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2283-new-insight-into-optimal-protein-dosing-for">New Insight into Optimal Protein Dosing for Critically Sick Patients</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> A new study finds that higher protein didn’t help this ICU patient population, and for those with acute kidney failure it actually caused harm.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2168-welcome-to-the-new-academic-year-2022-2023-from"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/108,0,487,380/ignore_cropper/1/13329_gs22078_124_web_560x380_adjusted.rev.1661784111.jpg" alt="Penn Nursing Dean Antonia Villarruel" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="379" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2168-welcome-to-the-new-academic-year-2022-2023-from">Welcome to the New Academic Year, 2022-2023 from Dean Antonia M. Villarruel</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p style="font-weight: 400;"> Welcome to the fall semester! This time of year always feels like a new beginning—a fresh start after the summer, perhaps the start of new projects. Even though the work is ongoing, there’s a sensation that something is different. Certainly, as the pandemic continues, we have learned to live with ever-changing guidelines and protocols (more on that in a second)—but to borrow a quote from the singer Lizzo, “I got a feelin’ we’re gon’ be alright”!</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2142-terri-lipman-phd-faan-crnp-transitions-from"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/396,0,2528,2133/ignore_cropper/1/8554_Terri_Lipman_2016.rev.1547822449.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/396,0,2528,2133/ignore_cropper/1/8554_Terri_Lipman_2016.rev.1547822449.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/396,0,2528,2133/ignore_cropper/1/8554_Terri_Lipman_2016.rev.1547822449.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2132" data-max-h="2133"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2142-terri-lipman-phd-faan-crnp-transitions-from">Terri Lipman, PhD, FAAN, CRNP Transitions from Standing Faculty at Penn Nursing After More Than Three Decades of Service</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><a href="/live/profiles/44-terri-lipman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Terri Lipman, PhD, FAAN, CRNP</a>, the Miriam Stirl Endowed Term Professor of Nutrition and Assistant Dean for Community Engagement, will be transitioning on June 30, 2022, after an incredible 33 years of service to the University and School. Terri has held a clinical practice in the Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and has been a strong voice for nurses and children in her service to the School, the University, and our West Philadelphia community.</div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2070-humans-of-penn-nursing-marissa-kesse-nu23"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,500/ignore_cropper/1/12132_Humans_of_Penn_Nursing_1000x500.rev.1639068703.png" alt="Marissa Kesse, Nu’23" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1000,500/ignore_cropper/1/12132_Humans_of_Penn_Nursing_1000x500.rev.1639068703.png 2x" data-max-w="1000" data-max-h="500"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2070-humans-of-penn-nursing-marissa-kesse-nu23">Humans of Penn Nursing: Marissa Kesse, Nu’23</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary">I was so excited to have been placed on the trauma unit: emergent gunshot wounds, groups of nurses on top of a patient performing CPR, code reds, blues, and greens. To me, trauma held the glitz and glam of nursing.</div></article>

IN RESEARCH

  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2170-investing-in-patient-care-and-savings"><img src="/live/image/gid/26/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2134/ignore_cropper/1/13336_Male_patient_home_visit_iStock-1218253146.rev.1662042968.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/26/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2134/ignore_cropper/1/13336_Male_patient_home_visit_iStock-1218253146.rev.1662042968.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/26/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,3200,2134/ignore_cropper/1/13336_Male_patient_home_visit_iStock-1218253146.rev.1662042968.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2134"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2170-investing-in-patient-care-and-savings">Investing In Patient Care and Savings</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> Successful investment bankers have a nose for profitable innovation. In the case of Penn Nursing Board of Advisors member and Wharton alum John J. Rydzewski, he knew as soon as he heard Mary D. Naylor, PhD RN FAAN present early research findings for the Transitional Care Model (TCM) that it was potentially transformational. That led him to recently make a generous gift to Dr. Naylor’s work at Penn Nursing’s NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health.</p></div></article>