Nursing Administration
The University of Rhode Island College of Nursing offers a Master of Science degree with a specialization in nursing administration. Its purpose is to educate nurse administrators 
who can manage the effective and efficient delivery of nursing care to a broad spectrum of people within health care organizations or in the community. A variety of positions are available to graduates in roles that meet the student's career goals.
Curriculum
The Nursing Administration curriculum consists of 41 credits: 14 credits of core courses in concepts and theories in nursing practice, research, nursing leadership in health policy and a graduate seminar; 9 credits in nursing administration theory and practicum; and 18 credits of electives to broaden the knowledge base for nursing administration. These include courses in the College of Nursing and in other colleges of the University, including the College of Business Administration. The program culminates with a written comprehensive examination and the submission of a substantial scholarly work involving significant independent study which is referred to as the major paper. This requirement is an extension of work completed from prior coursework in the master's program.
Download the Curriculum Sheet (PDF)
Required Nursing Core Courses (14 credits)
NUR 500 - Theoretical Study of the Phenomena in Nursing (4 credits)
NUR 505 - Nursing Research (3 credits)
NUR 507 - Theories of Practice for Nursing (3 credits)
NUR 510 - Advanced Leadership in the Health Policy Process (3 credits)
NUR 520 - Graduate Study Seminar (1 credit)
Required Courses for Nursing Administration (9 credits)
NUR 551 Theoretical Study of Nursing Administration (3 credits)
Study of relation of nursing, philosophy, organizational theories, and practice environment. Emphasis on theories, concepts and issues that explain and advance strategies in nursing administration.
NUR 552 Practicum in Nursing Administration (6 credits)
Field experience. Emphasis on the examination and implementation of strategies in nursing administration.
Electives (18 credits)
Electives provide foundational courses and those that support the student's career goals.
Suggested Electives
MGT 630 Organizational Theory and Behavior
MGT 641 Human Resource Development
BAC 500 Computing in Management
MSI 600 Managing with Information Resources
CPL 510 Community Planning and Political and Social Change
APS 540 Principles, Methods and Application of Epidemiology
LRS 546 Alternative Dispute Resolution Processes and Applications
PSC 504 Ethics in Public Administration
Clinical Practice
Practicum placement is dependent upon student career goals, learning needs and level of prior experience. Sites include nonprofit, for profit, and governmental acute care organizations; community nursing agencies; long-term care facilities; the state health department; and ambulatory settings in the state of Rhode Island and surrounding states. A qualified preceptor in the agency provides directed learning experiences based on student objectives. Students complete a major project relevant to their goals and the organization's needs.
Transportation
A car is necessary to reach the various clinical practice locations. A local bus service connects the University to most major health service facilities, shopping, and service centers, but the bus routes and schedules may not always be convenient for the graduate student.
Admission Requirements:
- Admission to the Graduate School.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Two letters of recommendation (academic and professional).
- Curriculum vita.
- Completion of MAT or GRE with a satisfactory score.
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing or the National League for Nursing with an upper-division major in nursing.
- Eligibility for R.N. licensure in Rhode Island.
- Undergraduate statistics course prior to NUR 505.
- Candidates with non-nursing degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis. Completion or challenge of upper-division nursing courses is required prior to acceptance into the master's program.
graduate student links
graduate degree programs
- Nursing Education
- Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric/ Mental Health (ON HOLD)
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
graduate student contacts
Bethany Fay
Graduate Studies Secretary
p. 401.874.5334
bfay@uri.edu
Patricia Burbank, D.N.Sc., RN
Director of Graduate Studies
p. 401.874.5339
mcsullivan@uri.edu
