University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

The GEP program itself is great and I felt well prepared to be a nurse. All clinicals are set up by the school and so there is no anxiety regarding finding your own placement. The associated hospitals offer great learning opportunities. However, the lack of a nursing degree awarded after the first year makes it extremely difficult to find a job in Boston and the MetroWest area as almost all require a BSN for new graduate positions and programs. This has made finding a job anywhere other than Worcester difficult and made me feel let down by the GEP program. You have to leverage your connections at your clinical and/or preceptor sites to even be considered for hospitals that require a BSN. They boast about the importance of a DNP for NPs as the future will require them but completely ignore the actual issue of nursing jobs in Massachusetts requiring BSNs. The solution is to either work in Worcester, leverage your connections in Eastern Mass, or get at least a year of experience elsewhere and hope that it's enough to get past the BSN requirement.

I hope you are all aware that the GEP to DNP program does not grant any nursing degree such as a BSN or MSN, only a DNP upon graduation. Instead, you will be given a certificate of completion after the GEP year and a Masters of science after completing DNP year 2. In other words, good luck finding entry level RN jobs without a BSN or ASN, specifically inpatient med-surg positions. Especially in Massachusetts where many hospitals have crossed over to only hiring those with BSNs as of 2021. You will find a job eventually but it will be much more difficult. If you live near NH, apply for a license in that state because you will have better chances of landing those positions there without a BSN. With respect to the MS, it does not specify MS of nursing therefore technically it isn’t a nursing degree either. The only nursing related degree you will be given is the DNP. Perhaps you may not think much of these details now but trust me when I say that it will hinder you in transferring to another program. We current students call this “the trap”. Those of you who have chosen to enroll in this program will soon see the true colors of the faculty. To keep this story short, quite a few of us have learned throughout the years how unsupportive this school environment is. I hope that you never have to overcome any academic or personal obstacles in your lives while you’re students in this program but chances are that you will and it is then that you will understand perfectly what I’m referring to. In terms of education, I agree that we are trained very well but that is the only good thing I have to say unfortunately. You will find out that the faculty will not grant you much flexibility if you ever shall need it but they will expect you to meet all of their expectations irrespective of your circumstances. It is amazing that during a pandemic, when the entire world suffered, we were still expected to meet course expectations which were determined pre-pandemic despite many of usexperiencing covid related personal situations and employment hardships at that time. To be honest, it’s likely that many school cultures fit this profile, but with certainty I assure you this is what you will encounter throughout your studies at UMass GSN. Many of us, who will soon be graduating, wish there were online student reviews about this program when we applied 4 years ago because we surely would’ve enrolled elsewhere. Some of us have explored the option of transferring but like I stated before, it was quite difficult to do so given our lack of nursing degrees despite all of the coursework completed. 

My comment is solely on the GEP program, the Graduate Entry Pathway (RN Pre-licensure program), and it does not cover the whole Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing in the graduate programs.

Why You Should Think Twice Before Applying to UMass Chan Graduate School of Nursing (GSN), Graduate Entry Pathway to Nursing (GEP):

Choosing a nursing school is one of the most important decisions you will make, and it's crucial to select a program that offers not only a strong education and is student-centered environment but also fair policies, student support, and transparency. While UMass Chan GSN has a well-respected reputation in Massachusetts, my experience and that of other students highlight serious concerns that prospective applicants should consider before committing.

This post is meant to provide constructive and fact-based insight into policies and challenges that students face at UMass Chan GSN. If you are looking for a program that provides academic remediation, structured support, and a fair appeals process, this school may not be the best choice.

1. No Remediation or Second Chances—Failure Means Dismissal 

Unlike other accelerated nursing programs in Massachusetts, (e.g., MCPHS, UMass Boston, UMass Amherst, Northeastern University, Simmon University), UMass Chan GSN does not provide structured remediation for students who struggle in a course. You can see it in their student handbook that I have upload in here.

If you fail a class by even a fraction of a point, you will be dismissed—there are no make-up assignments, no probationary periods, and no structured academic recovery plans. Once you fail a class, you are automatically dismissed with no chances, and you are told to reapply but with no acceptance guaranteed. 

Other institutions within UMass Chan (e.g., the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences) allow remediation—but GSN does not offer the same support to its nursing students, and everything in the handbook is left to the discretion of its faculty.

2. High Risk of Dismissal Without Due Process

Some students have been dismissed without receiving formal written notice, only verbal communication from faculty.

Dismissals are final, and students are not given the opportunity to repeat a semester or improve their academic standing. 

If your cumulative GPA is below 3.0—even if you passed all your courses—you can still be dismissed without the option to remediate. You could file a grievance but if they have finalized a decision not to help you, your grievance won't be considered.

3. Inconsistent Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

While many nursing programs (e.g., UMass Amherst, MCPHS, UMass Boston) allow reasonable accommodations, UMass Chan GSN has a restrictive approach that limits what support students can receive.

Extended exam time may be approved, but requests for assignment extensions or workload personalized modifications are often denied, even with medical documentation.

If you have ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, depression, or other disabilities that require flexible academic accommodations, you may not receive the support you need to succeed in this program. They will only provide the minimum required by law and what is legally binding for them to not get into legal troubles and will not provide help, as they will only do what can cover them legally. Helping students it is not a priority.

4. Lack of Transparency in Policies and Decision-Making

Important academic decisions, such as dismissals, are often communicated verbally instead of through official documentation, making it difficult for students to appeal.

Students who ask for clarification about policies are often given vague responses or directed to general handbook language without clear guidance.

The grievance and appeals process is limited, and students who escalate concerns are often told that decisions are final with no further options.

5. High-Stress Environment with Minimal Student Support

The program is already accelerated and challenging, but the lack of academic flexibility and remediation makes it even more stressful.

There is no structured mental health or academic counseling support, leaving students to navigate difficulties alone.

6. Pre-licensure-RN

When you apply to this program, you are not obtaining a BSN; you are provided a "certificate of completion," which is less than an Associate of Science in Nursing, a bit above of an LPN, and this can highly limit your chances of a job offer if the hospital don't recognize the program in states that do not even know about UMass Chan, as many employer look for ASN or BSN holders.

The prelicensure program is close to $90k the first year, with tuitions, housing, and other costs of consideration for MA residents. If you are a New England resident, that numbers is close to $95k and if you are out-of-state, it will go up to $102k.

Final Thoughts

While UMass Chan GSN is a good, it lacks critical student protections that many other nursing schools—including UMass Amherst, UMass Boston, and MCPHS—provide. Prospective students should ask tough questions about remediation options, dismissal policies, and disability accommodations before enrolling.

If you are looking for a program that values fairness, academic support, and structured remediation, you may want to consider other schools that prioritize student success.