Rutgers University, Newark

Established in 1766, Rutgers University in New Jersey boasts a long-standing history of providing top-tier nursing education, merging the excellence of Rutgers College of Nursing and UMDNJ School of Nursing into a unified program. With roots dating back to the 18th century, the school continues to uphold a tradition of academic excellence and innovation in nursing education.

Discover Rutgers University, Newark

Newark, New Jersey

School Ranking: B+
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Rutgers University, Newark is a public and non-profit National University. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including BSN, Accelerated BSN, MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, MSN to DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, MSN to PhD, CNL, CRNA, CNM, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the ACME, CCNE, and COA and the institution is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Student Demographics

  • 21 Average Age
  • 46% Men
  • 54% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 72% White
  • 12% Hispanic
  • 13% Black
  • 8% Asian

College Data provided by the U.S. Department of Education and complemented with additional insights from our analysts. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology.

*Program Score compares similar specialty programs across our database. Learn more about our Rankings Methodology

Founded in 1766, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, a public entity, is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the United States. Rutgers University-Newark was established in 1908. Collaborating the best of the best of the 1956 Rutgers College of Nursing and the former 1972 The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Nursing (UMDNJ), services are now offered at one school.

Undergraduate

Generic Baccalaureate

Newark, New Brunswick, and the Blackwood campuses offer the Generic Baccalaureate program. It is a full-time, 4-year program.

Criteria for Admission (not all inclusive)

High school students are able to enroll in the program in the fall every year. The program ends with a Bachelor of Science with a major in nursing degree. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX exam for licensure to become a registered nurse.

High School Graduate Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • English:  4 years
  • Foreign Language: None required
  • Mathematics:  3 years, including algebra I, geometry, algebra II
  • Science:  1 year each of biology and Chemistry
  • 7 other academic courses

Second Degree Baccalaureate

The Second Degree BS in Nursing Program is for those who have a bachelor's degree in another area and would like to now become an RN. The program length is 14-months. Newark and New Brunswick offer this program.

RN-BSN

The RN to BS in Nursing Program is designed for registered nurses. Within the program, there are also options to take graduate level courses to continue with advanced education. The program is primarily online with the exception of the clinical practicums.

Campus Locations

The core nursing classes are online, but courses for undergraduate and graduate levels may be in the classroom or hybrid setting. Newark and New Brunswick are the campuses that offer these courses.

Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)

  • Graduate from an accredited NLNAC/ACEN college with an Associate degree or Diploma in nursing
  • Grade point average 3.2 or higher
  • Current New Jersey RN license

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Campus Locations

The MSN programs are not exclusively online. Right now, some consist of a mix of online, hybrid, full-time, and part-time programs. Newark campus is the home of the in-person classes.

Specialty Tracks

Clinical Leadership

This program prepares nurses to improve their patient outcomes including project management, data management, and disease management.

Nursing informatics (NI)

This program is a clinical specialty area that brings together nursing science with information management to provide better patient outcomes and nursing experiences. The program is entirely online.

Post-Master's Certificate

The Post-Master's Certificate program at Rutgers School of Nursing is for RNs who would like to become specialized in another field without having to pursue another graduate degree. Most of these courses are offered at the Newark campus with some hybrid or online courses in the following specialty areas:

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute/Critical Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner - Emergency Care
  • Nursing Informatics
  • Nurse Midwifery

The Informatics certificate is offered online with clinical components involved. The remaining Post-Master's Certificate courses are located on the Newark campus with some hybrid or online courses.

Nurse Midwifery

The Post-Master's Certificate program in Nurse Midwifery is focused on registered nurses who hold a Master of Science in Nursing and are nationally certified Women's Health, Adult or Family Nurse Practitioners.

Graduates can take the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) national certification exam.

Special Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Interview
  • Students who have no Labor and Delivery experience must take a basic fetal monitoring course and complete 40 hours of observation on a Labor and Delivery unit
  • Attendance at the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) annual meeting

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Rutgers School of Nursing has two program offerings for bachelor's-prepared RNs in the Post Baccalaureate DNP program as well as offerings for master's-prepared RNs seeking a doctoral degree.

Campus Locations

DNP programs are a mix of hybrid, full-time, and part-time programs. Newark campus is the home for all of the in-person classes.

Post-Baccalaureate DNP

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Family Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Care
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Leadership - Management
  • Nurse Anesthesia
  • Nurse Midwifery

Post Master's DNP

  • Post-Master's DNP Practice (Executive Weekend Model)
  • Post-Master's DNP Leadership

DNP in Nurse Anesthesia

Pass rates are 91% first attempt on the National Certification Examination for all graduates.

Campus Locations

Newark campus holds the in-person classes.

Academic and Professional Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Baccalaureate nationally accredited degree program with at least 3.2 GPA
  • Current US RN License. New Jersey and New York RN licenses will be required prior to the second semester of study
  • Minimum one complete year of full-time, recent experience as an RN in a critical care setting. Preferred areas include: surgical ICU, cardiothoracic ICU, neurosurgical ICU, burn ICU, pediatric ICU, medical ICU
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certifications

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD in nursing tracks

  • MS to PhD
  • BS to PhD

The program is presented in a hybrid format.

Clinical experiences will be required for the Post-Baccalaureate PhD student and will be developed in consultation with the Program Director. Full-time study is recommended.

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019)

  • #115 (tie) in National Universities
  • #76 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
  • #52 (tie) in Top Public Schools
  • #104 in Best Value Schools

NICHE (2019)

  • Most Diverse Colleges in America #39 of 1,592
  • Top Public Universities in America #79 of 672
  • Most Liberal Colleges in America #127 of 687
  • Best Value Colleges in America #144 of 1,590
  • Best Colleges in America #228 of 1,647
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in America #375 of 1,591
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #395 of 1,542
  • Best College Campuses in America #671 of 1,408
  • Most Liberal Colleges in New Jersey #2 of 22
  • Most Diverse Colleges in New Jersey #3 of 27
  • Top Public Universities in New Jersey #3 of 12
  • Best Colleges in New Jersey #5 of 28
  • Best Value Colleges in New Jersey #5 of 28
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in New Jersey #5 of 28
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in New Jersey #7 of 28
  • Best College Campuses in New Jersey #9 of 27
  • Safest College Campuses in New Jersey #19 of 26
  • Best Colleges in New York City Area #11 of 89
  • Best Value Colleges in New York City Area #11 of 83

Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: Best Value Colleges among the Top U.S. Colleges

  • #9 in the nation
  • #52 in the nation, public schools

Washington Monthly College Guide

  • #19 public national university
  • #34 national university
  • #11 in the northeast (Best Bang for the Buck)

Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited the baccalaureate degree in nursing, master's degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists accredited the Nurse Anesthesia program.

The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) accredited the Nurse Midwifery Program.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

If the required science classes were completed in the past, do I have to retake them?

Science courses will transfer with the appropriate number of credits and grade no matter how long ago you took them.

How long do I have to complete the program?

There is a time limit of 7 years to complete the program from admission time. Right now students who attend full time can finish the program in 4 semesters.

Post-Baccalaureate School Nurse Certificate

The Post-Baccalaureate School Nurse Certificate is a hybrid online program (BA, BS, or BSN) designed for nurses who have finished their bachelor's degree and wish to be certified to become school nurses. School nurses must have an instructional certificate in the State of New Jersey.

Campus Location

A hybrid online program, the School Nurse Certificate program requires a 75-hour school nurse practicum, which includes student teaching in health class.

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