Chatham University School of Health Sciences

Originally named the Pennsylvania Female College, Chatham was established over 145 years ago in 1869 and is a private educational institution in Pittsburgh. University status was granted in 2007 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Chatham offers a 120-credit, 100% online RN to BSN program. Graduates have roles in a variety of healthcare settings including, but not limited to, education, leadership, and quality improvement. Nurses who already possess an RN license are eligible to expand their opportunities and command higher salaries with their bachelor's degree.

Students are credited past work; degree time may vary depending on how many courses are transferred. Most students are able to complete their degree within two full-time terms.

Chatham also has a partnership program that offers Nursing (RN) courses at the Butler County Community College. Graduates who pass the NCLEX licensure exam will then finish with a BSN from Chatham by taking online courses while working as an RN.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Essay
• At least two letters of recommendation
• High School transcripts that include 2 years of science with related lab coursework
• Completion of 4 years English, 2 years Biology or Chemistry w/lab, 2 years Math that includes Algebra, 3 years Social Studies; all with a "C" or higher
• Anatomy and Physiology is recommended
• TEAS test score of "proficient" or higher

Graduate

RN to MSN Educator Track

Graduates of the 47 credit RN to MSN Educator track are awarded both the BSN and MSN degrees. The average completion time depends on the number of credits transferred.  The program can be completed in 5 semesters, or 20 months, or part-time in 8 semesters.

BSN to DNP Executive Track

Chatham's exclusive 53 credit BSN to DNP Executive track is for nurses who want opportunities to become a leader in their area of work. Both the MSN and DNP degrees are awarded at the end of the program.  Full-time students can complete the program in approximately 2 1/4 years; part-time approximately 3 years.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The 33 credit MSN tracks offered include Leadership, Educator, and Informatics. Admission requirements include a BSN degree, 3.0 undergrad GPA, resume, and active RN license. Students enrolled full-time can complete the program in 15 months; part-time, 2 years.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The 27 credit Doctor of Nursing Practice degree requires one short two-day residency.  Average time to completion for full-time students is 1 year; part-time, 20 months.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
• MSN with cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Current RN license
• Two letters of professional recommendation
• Essay

Documentation of Clinical Experience

As the DNP degree is a clinical doctorate, the 1,000 hour post-baccalaureate practice experience requirement as stated in The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice (AACN, 2006) must be strictly adhered to and the hours must be completed in a healthcare setting prior to degree conferral.

Applicants who have earned an advanced practice certification (NP, CRNA, CNS, or CNM) must provide proof of current national certification with evidence of having completed 500 supervised practice experience hours since completing a baccalaureate nursing program. NBCRNA certificate holders must submit a copy of their NBCRNA transcript as provided by NBCRNA. This transcript will specifically reference the number of practice hours in the applicant's program.

Applicants who have not yet earned an advanced practice certification must provide a thorough description of the supervised practice experience hours completed while enrolled in an NP, CRNA, CNS, or CNM program as validated by an official transcript.

Students who have not completed a master's curriculum inclusive of 500 academically supervised practice experience hours may apply to Chatham as a Non-Degree Seeking student.

Nurse Educator Certificate

The Professional Nurse Educator Certificate is a fully online program.

International Collaboration

The Shanghai Institute of Health Sciences is the most recent international collaboration. Chinese nurses apply to this very competitive program in order to study at Chatham for a year and receive the MSN.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019)

• #62 (tie) in Regional Universities North
• #82 in Best Value Schools
• #98 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
• #115 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs

Niche (2019)

Chatham has been selected as one of the Top 50 Green Colleges by The Princeton Review.

Chatham ranked in the top five nationally for sustainability achievements in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS).

Chatham has earned Military Friendly recognition three consecutive years (2013, 2014, 2015) from various publications because of the demonstration that leads practices in the recruitment and retention of students with military experience.

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the RN to BSN, MSN, and DNP programs at Chatham University.

Chatham University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.