University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Located within the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMassMed) campus, the Graduate School of Nursing was founded in 1970 to deliver top-tier nursing programs. These programs are a gateway to a successful healthcare career, blending practical training with innovative research opportunities. As an integral part of the UMassMed ecosystem, the Graduate School of Nursing benefits from a close partnership with UMass Memorial Medical Center, a key player in the expansive UMass Memorial Health Care network.

Discover University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

North Worcester, Massachusetts

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School Ranking: A+
2 reviews

University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is a public and non-profit National University. The insitution offers a variety of hybrid, on-campus, and online programs—including MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, MSN to DNP, PhD, BSN to PhD, MSN to PhD, NP, Post Grad Certificate, and Other degrees. Programs are accredited by the CCNE and the institution is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.

Student Demographics

  • 25 Average Age
  • 86% Men
  • 14% Women
  • 1% Veterans
  • 85% White
  • 5% Hispanic
  • 6% Black
  • 5% 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.

Nursing Programs

  • $40,130 In-State Graduate Tuition*

*Tuition is an average of the programs listed below.

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

The Graduate School of Nursing was established in 1970 under Massachusetts General Laws with the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) as the founding school. UMass is partnered with UMass Memorial Medical Center, part of the larger UMass Memorial Health Care.

Academic Graduate Programs

Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP)

This program is for students who have completed their Bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. UMass will help guide the learner through the nursing program, preparing them for the RN NCLEX exam and state RN licensure.

Admission (not all inclusive)

  • Undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher
  • Acceptable Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
  • Completed Application

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

This program is for the nurse who has passed the NCLEX, obtained their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and is ready to use their knowledge from the biological, psychological, social and nursing sciences. The focus in this program is on the vulnerable populations.

Admission Criteria BSN to AGRN (not all inclusive)

  • BSN
  • Unencumbered Massachusetts RN license
  • Undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher
  • CPR Certification for Health Providers (BLS) by the American Heart Association
  • Acceptable Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Admission Criteria for Pre-Graduate Option (PGO) to AGRN (not all inclusive)

  • Associate's degree or diploma in nursing and a bachelor's degree or higher in another non-nursing discipline
  • Unencumbered Massachusetts RN license
  • Undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher
  • CPR Certification for Health Providers (BLS) by the American Heart Association
  • Acceptable Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Admission BSN to AGRN and PGO to AGRN (not all inclusive)

  • Completed Application submitted to Nursing CAS
  • Notarized proof of residency for all applicants

Post Graduate Certificate

Nurses who have completed their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), not necessarily from UMass but from the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission or the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education accredited entity, can sit for an extra certification exam. The post graduate certifications offered include:

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP)

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP)

Nurse Educator

Pre-Graduate Option (PGO) to DNP Pathway

This program is for those who hold a Nursing diploma or an Associate of Science (ASN/ADN) and a Bachelor's degree in another field. This program is for nurses who want to become nurse practitioners and then advance to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Admission (not all inclusive)

  • Associate's degree or diploma in nursing and a bachelor's degree or higher in another non- nursing discipline
  • Unencumbered Massachusetts RN license
  • Undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher
  • CPR Certification for Health Providers (BLS) by the American Heart Association
  • Acceptable Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

Post Master's to DNP

This program is for nurses who have accomplished their Master of Science in Nursing degree, are a nurse administrator or have become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), or Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

For the graduate level nurse who is ready to go even further and advance his or her nursing practice to leadership and practice with diverse populations, utilizing leadership skills within a myriad of health-care systems and organizations as well as clinical nursing education, this is a logical choice at the Doctorate level.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

This program is directed towards nurses who are researchers and serves to prepare the nurse for clinical and translational research. This program is also for nurses who have an interest in teaching and research; joining as faculty at the University level.

Master of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Philosophy

A streamlining program from the MSN to PhD is available for nurses who have a Master's degree in nursing or another health-related field. Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP) to PhD and Bachelor's to PhD programs are also available.

Accreditation

The Master's Degree in Nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at UMass Worcester Graduate School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The University of Massachusetts campuses (Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell and Worcester) are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Rankings and Accolades

The Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Medical School was named one of the top nursing schools in the country in the inaugural rankings of Nursing Schools Almanac. The online nursing education resource ranked the GSN first overall in New England, 18th in the United States and eighth among public nursing schools in its analysis (2016).

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rn_anon

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

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.

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Anony17

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

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. 

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