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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 of Professional Nursing

This accelerated entry-level nursing program, offered at the graduate level, prepares students to deliver a full array of health care services to meet the demands of patients and families with increasingly complex health needs. Learn more about this new program and the MPN/MSN option.

Master of Professional Nursing


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/2319-announcing-the-johnson-johnson-nursing"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2133"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2319-announcing-the-johnson-johnson-nursing">Announcing the Johnson & Johnson Nursing Innovation Fellows</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is pleased to announce that ten teams from health systems around the country have been selected for the <a href="/jj-nurse-innovation-fellowship/">Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship Program</a> (JJNIF), powered by <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/">Penn Nursing</a> and the Wharton School–a ground-breaking, one-year, team-based nursing fellowship for Chief Nursing Officers, nurse executives, and senior nurse leaders.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2063-putting-community-first-in-a-new-social-justice"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/99,0,499,399/ignore_cropper/1/12120_demiris-yim-collaboratory_600x400.rev.1638285138.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="400" data-max-h="399"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2063-putting-community-first-in-a-new-social-justice">Putting Community First, in a New Social Justice Initiative</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> The Community Collaboratory for Co-Creation, led by Penn Nursing and Penn Engineering, will focus on research, education, and community engagement and outreach.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2165-jane-barnsteiner-to-receive-american-academy-of"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,560,369/ignore_cropper/1/13309_3096_jane_barnsteiner_2017_2_560x380.rev.1660658763.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="560" data-max-h="369"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2165-jane-barnsteiner-to-receive-american-academy-of">Jane Barnsteiner to Receive American Academy of Nursing’s Highest Honor</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> The <a href="http://www.aannet.org/home">American Academy of Nursing</a> (AAN) has named <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/profiles.php?id=7121">Jane H. Barnsteiner, PhD, RN, FAAN</a>, a <a href="https://www.aannet.org/about/fellows/living-legends">Living Legend</a> for her significant contributions to nursing and health care over the course of her career. The official designation will be made at a ceremony during the AAN’s 2022 <a href="https://www.academypolicyconference.com/">Health Policy Conference</a>, taking place on October 27-29, 2022, at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. This year’s conference – <em>From Reflection to Impact: Positioning Nursing Future</em> – will be in-person only with no virtual option. This is the Academy’s highest honor.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2310-penns-rebecca-clark-phd-joins-betty-irene-moore"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,500,400/ignore_cropper/1/14202_11978_Rebecca_R_S_Clark_002_2.rev.1683568445.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="500" data-max-h="400"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2310-penns-rebecca-clark-phd-joins-betty-irene-moore">Penn’s Rebecca Clark, PhD, Joins Betty Irene Moore Fellowship Program at UC Davis Nursing School</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/profiles.php?id=17325">Rebecca Clark, PhD, MSN, RN</a>, Assistant Professor of Perinatal Nursing, Midwifery, and Women’s Health at <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/">Penn Nursing</a> and a Nurse Scientist at <a href="https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/penn-medicine-locations/pennsylvania-hospital">Pennsylvania Hospital</a>, is one of 16 nurse scientists accepted to the fourth cohort of the <a href="https://health.ucdavis.edu/nursing/NurseLeaderFellows/index.html">Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators</a>. She is the first nurse scientist from Penn to be accepted to this program.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2350-study-highlights-concerns-and-preferences-of"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/169,0,703,533/ignore_cropper/1/14534_Helena_Addison.rev.1697033584.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="534" data-max-h="533"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2350-study-highlights-concerns-and-preferences-of">Study Highlights Concerns and Preferences of Residents Regarding Police Involvement in Mental Health Crisis Response</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> Police officers often respond to incidents that do not involve crime or immediate threats to public safety but instead deal with community members facing unmet mental health needs. In response to this, many cities are experimenting with co-deploying police officers alongside health professionals or deploying teams entirely composed of civilian health professionals.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2342-new-term-chair-for-penn-nursing-professor"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/89,0,469,380/ignore_cropper/1/8503_Karen_Lasater.rev.1545059032.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="380" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2342-new-term-chair-for-penn-nursing-professor">New Term Chair for Penn Nursing Professor</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/profiles.php?id=15174">Karen B. Lasater, PhD, RN, FAAN</a>, Associate Professor in <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/">Penn Nursing</a>’s <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academics/bhs/">Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences</a>, has been appointed as the Jessie M. Scott Term Chair in Nursing and Health Policy. The appointment took effect on July 1, 2023.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2326-penn-nursing-launches-new-masters-entry-program"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2133"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2326-penn-nursing-launches-new-masters-entry-program">Penn Nursing Launches New Masters-Entry Program</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> Penn Nursing’s new <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academics/master-of-professional-nursing/">Master of Professional Nursing</a> (MPN) degree offers students with a bachelor’s degree in another field an exciting alternative path to a career in nursing. This entry-level nursing program, offered at the graduate level, prepares students to deliver a full array of health care services to meet the demands of patients and families with increasingly complex health needs.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2141-julie-fairman-phd-rn-faan-transitions-from"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/89,0,469,380/ignore_cropper/1/11804_Fairman_560x380.rev.1623074481.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="380" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2141-julie-fairman-phd-rn-faan-transitions-from">Julie Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN, Transitions from Standing Faculty at Penn Nursing</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><a href="/live/profiles/35-julie-a-fairman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Julie A. Fairman, PhD, RN, FAAN</a>, Nightingale Professor in Honor of Nursing Veterans and professor of nursing, an internationally recognized scholar and leader in nursing education and history will transition from her faculty role on June 30th, 2022.</div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2227-state-appointment-for-penn-nursing-professor"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/89,0,469,380/ignore_cropper/1/9787_Compher.rev.1570126181.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="380" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2227-state-appointment-for-penn-nursing-professor">State Appointment for Penn Nursing Professor</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/details/profiles.php?id=31">Charlene W. Compher, PhD, RD, LDN, FASPEN</a>, Professor of Nutrition Science in <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/">Penn Nursing</a>’s <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academics/bhs/">Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences</a> and Director of Graduate Nutrition Programs, has been appointed to Pennsylvania’s <a href="https://www.dos.pa.gov/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardsCommissions/Nursing/Pages/default.aspx#:~:text=The%20State%20Board%20of%20Nursing%20protects%20the%20health%20and%20safety,nurses%2C%20certified%20registered%20nurse%20practitioners%2C">State Board of Nursing</a>. She will be the only dietitian/nutritionist representative on the board. Her six-year term began on October 26, 2022.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2169-understanding-the-expanded-role-of-clinical"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/580,348,1564,1333/ignore_cropper/1/8767_P-100605-Master-V1-005X.rev.1552499406.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/580,348,1564,1333/ignore_cropper/1/8767_P-100605-Master-V1-005X.rev.1552499406.jpg 2x" data-max-w="984" data-max-h="985"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2169-understanding-the-expanded-role-of-clinical">Understanding the Expanded Role of Clinical Ethicists</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> The COVID-19 pandemic brought many troubling ethical issues to the frontlines of clinical care, creating significant distress for clinicians, patients, and families. Behind the scenes, clinical ethicists managed those issues to support front-line workers and were integral to hospital operations.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2067-university-professorship-for-penn-nursing"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,166,665,831/ignore_cropper/1/12130_George-Demiris-expert-2021-e1626973050389.rev.1638978269.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="665" data-max-h="665"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2067-university-professorship-for-penn-nursing">University Professorship for Penn Nursing Professor</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/live/profiles/15259-george-demiris">George Demiris, PhD, FACMI</a>, a Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor (PIK), with joint faculty appointments in <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu">Penn Nursing</a>’s <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academics/bhs/">Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences</a> and in <a href="https://www.med.upenn.edu/">Perelman School of Medicine</a>’s <a href="https://www.dbei.med.upenn.edu/">Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics</a>, will become the Mary Alice Bennett University Professor. University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann made the appointment.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2187-new-chair-for-irving"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/89,0,469,380/ignore_cropper/1/12425_Sharon_Irving_2022.rev.1651585563.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="380" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2187-new-chair-for-irving">New Chair for Irving</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=46">Sharon Y. Irving, PhD, CRNP, FCCM, FAAN, FASPEN</a>, Associate Professor in the Clinician Educator track and Vice-Chair of the <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/academics/fch/">Department of Family and Community Health</a>, has been appointed the Miriam Stirl Endowed Term Chair in Nutrition. She also practices as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where she provides patient care in the pediatric intensive care and progressive care units.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2223-meet-the-leonard-a-lauder-community-care-np"><img src="/live/image/gid/101/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,560,380/ignore_cropper/1/13798_Cover-Photo-Lauder.rev.1671488739.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="560" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2223-meet-the-leonard-a-lauder-community-care-np">Meet the Leonard A. Lauder Community Care NP Fellows on the Anniversary of the Game-Changing Gift</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary">This past fall, nine carefully chosen nurses from across the country embarked on their NP education at Penn—and thanks to a $125 million gift from Leonard A. Lauder W’54, made one year ago in February 2022, they will emerge from the experience debt-free and ready to care for those who need their expertise most.</div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="/live/news/2250-penn-nursings-center-for-global-womens-health"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/531,0,2662,2133/ignore_cropper/1/9216_gb_181024_5428.rev.1560187361.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2131" data-max-h="2133"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="/live/news/2250-penn-nursings-center-for-global-womens-health">Penn Nursing’s Center for Global Women’s Health Awarded State Grant</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary"><p> The <a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/cgwh/">Center for Global Women’s Health</a> (CGWH) has been awarded another $30,000 grant through <a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/ItsOnUs/Pages/default.aspx">It’s On Us PA</a>, a statewide campaign that aims to end sexual assault by bringing together college and university presidents, superintendents, administrators, teachers, students, families, and community members to reframe the conversation around sexual violence and pledge to be part of the solution.</p></div></article>
  • <article class="news-article"><span class="lw_item_thumb"><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/jj-nurse-innovation-fellowship/"><img src="/live/image/gid/21/width/350/height/250/crop/1/src_region/0,0,560,380/ignore_cropper/1/14005_JJNIF_Logo_RGB_560x380.rev.1677856197.png" alt="" class="lw_image" width="350" height="250" data-max-w="560" data-max-h="380"/></a></span><h4 class="news-article-headline"><a href="https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/jj-nurse-innovation-fellowship/">Announcing the New Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellowship Program Powered by Penn Nursing & the Wharton School</a></h4><div class="news-article-summary">The program is a ground-breaking, one-year, team-based nursing fellowship for Chief Nursing Officers (CNO), nurse executives, and senior nurse leaders, focused on advancing healthcare by powering-up nurse-led innovation and leadership within health systems.</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>