University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus

The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, established in 1939, offers a wide range of nursing programs focused on preparing students for successful healthcare careers. With a dedication to excellence in education and research, PITT provides a supportive learning environment and practical experience to equip students with essential skills.

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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

Student Demographics

  • 20 Average Age
  • 43% Men
  • 57% Women
  • 0% Veterans
  • 91% White
  • 2% Hispanic
  • 6% Black
  • 1% 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

  • $81,209 In-State Undergraduate Tuition*
  • $59,593 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 University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) is a public institution that was founded in 1787. In 1939, the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing was established and has led in the evolution of nursing for over seven decades.

Undergraduate

Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This BSN program is designed for high school graduates that are interested in becoming nurses. The student attends for four years on a full-time status. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX RN and then be eligible for state RN licensure.

Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN

Students who have received a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field are eligible for the Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN program. The program is three consecutive terms in length. There is no part-time option.

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the previous undergraduate or graduate degree and are required to complete 36 prerequisite credits.

Upon completion, graduates sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and then become eligible for state licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

RN Options-Early Admission to MSN or DNP

This is a program designed for RNs who graduated from an ACEN, ACICS, or CCNE accredited diploma or associate degree program to earn a BSN with early admission to the MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) or BSN-DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice).

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Graduate from ACEN, ACICS, or CCNE accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program
  • ≥ 3.0 GPA in associate's degree in nursing or nursing diploma
  • GRE: Required for RN-DNP and RN-MSN programs
  • Successful completion of all prerequisite courses
  • Clinical experience: varies per selected graduate program
  • Valid registered nurse license (all students must obtain a Pennsylvania license)

Graduate

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Areas of Concentration

  • Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) - onsite and online
  • Nursing Informatics - online

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Post-Master's Specialties

  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Health Systems Executive Leadership
  • Nurse-Midwife
  • Nurse Anesthesia
  • Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Anesthesia

Graduates of this DNP program are eligible to take the National Certification Examination administered by the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Clinicals include more than 800 anesthesia cases and more than 2500 clinical hours. The Pitt BSN to DNP program is three years, full-time and 85 credits.

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Minimum 1 year full-time ICU/critical care nursing experience within last 5 years
  • Current RN license in U.S. state/territory or locale where student will complete clinical requirements
  • ≥ 3.0 GPA accredited MSN or master's in related field (must have BSN from accredited program)
  • GRE: Verbal & Quantitative sections (competitive score), Analytical Writing ( ≥ 3 - may be waived if MSN or masters in related field GPA ≥ 3.5)
  • Prerequisite statistics course within the last 10 years with a grade of B- or better
  • Clinical experience for select focus areas
  • Current Nurse Anesthetist certification in US state/territory or locale where student will complete the DNP Scholarly Project
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA in MSN or MS in Nurse Anesthesia from accredited program

Nurse-Midwife

The Midwifery program is on campus and requires 100-credit hours. Clinical hours are completed in the region's outstanding hospitals, birthing centers, and health practices including Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, the Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health UPMC Mercy, and the Allegheny Health Department. The DNP project focuses on the student's application of knowledge gained during this program, focusing on a quality-improvement effort and potentially resulting in publications. The full-time program is completed within three years; part-time study is an option. 

Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • Current RN license in U.S. state/territory or locale where student will complete clinical requirements
  • ≥ 3.0 GPA in MSN (from an accredited program) or master's in related field (must have BSN from accredited program)
  • GRE: Verbal & Quantitative sections (competitive score), Analytical Writing ( ≥ 3 - may be waived if MSN or masters in related field GPA ≥ 3.5)
  • Prerequisite statistics course within the last 10 years with a grade of B- or better
  • Clinical experience for select focus areas
  • One year nursing experience in a Labor and Delivery unit preferred, but will consider applicants demonstrating other interest/experience in women's health

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Students complete coursework that includes hands-on learning opportunities in both acute and ambulatory settings.

There are two key components of the DNP program, the clinical practicums and the culminating DNP project. There is a requirement of at least 1000 hours for clinical experiences that take place in one of the world-class hospitals adjacent to the School of Nursing. Some clinical hours take place in educational settings with Pitt faculty and/or hospital-based educators.

Nurse Practitioner BSN to DNP (on-site)

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  • Family (Individual Across the Lifespan)
  • Neonatal
  • Pediatric Primary Care
  • Psychiatric Mental Health 

Primary Care Nurse Practitioner BSN to DNP (distance education)

  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  • Family (Individual Across the Lifespan)
  • Pediatric Primary Care
  • Nurse Practitioner MSN to DNP are available on-site and online
  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  • Family (individual Across the Lifespan)
  • Neonatal 
  • Pediatric Primary Care 
  • Psychiatric Mental Health 

Graduates of all NP majors are eligible to sit for discipline-specific national certification exams. The particular course of study, credit and clinical requirements, and certifications vary. Each concentration requires successful completion of a comprehensive examination (BSN to DNP) and a culminating DNP project (BSN and MSN to DNP), which will address a quality improvement issue.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD program is designed for nurse scholars who have the drive to discover and extend scientific knowledge that advances the science and practice of nursing and contributes to other disciplines. The PhD dissertation is required for each student.

MSN to PhD Requirements (not all inclusive)

Applicants must have an appropriate master's degree. Some advanced nursing preparation is required. If the degree is in a field other than nursing, more coursework may be required. When the master's degree is in nursing, the student must have earned it from an ACEN, ACICS, or CCNE accredited program in nursing.

BSN to PhD Admission Requirements (not all inclusive)

  • BSN from ACEN, ACICS, or CCNE program in nursing
  • Cumulative GPA 3.5 or higher from a master's program
  • Valid RN license
  • Pre-admission interview
  • Three letters of reference
  • Competitive GRE scores taken within the last 5 years
  • Prerequisite graduate-level statistics course

Certificates and Minors

  • Post-Baccalaureate
  • Post-Baccalaureate: Genetics
  • Certificate in Nursing Research
  • School Nurse Certificate

Post-Master's/DNP

  • Post-MSN/DNP: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Masters: Health Care Genetics
  • Post-Master's/DNP: Nursing Research
  • Post-MSN/DNP: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-MSN/DNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-MSN/DNP: Nursing Education
  • Post-MSN/DNP: Nursing Informatics
  • School Nurse Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, Nursing Track

Rankings

US News & World Report (2019)

  • #70 (tie) in National Universities
  • #37 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
  • #55 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools
  • #26 (tie) in Top Public Schools
  • #35 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
  • #12 in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
  • #9 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • #7 (tie) in Clinical Nurse Leader
  • #9 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Adult / Gerontology, Acute Care
  • #7 (tie) in Nurse Practitioner: Pediatric, Primary Care in Nurse Practitioner
  • #7 (tie) Psychiatric / Mental Health, Across the Lifespan
  • #10 (tie) in Nursing Administration
  • #7 in Nursing Informatics
  • #4 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia
  • #43 (tie) in Best Global Universities

NICHE (2019)

  • Best Colleges for Nursing in America #24 of 599
  • Top Public Universities in America #27 of 672
  • Best Big Colleges in America #27 of 131
  • Best College Locations in America #54 of 1,553
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in America #57 of 1,542
  • Best Colleges in America #109 of 1,647
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in America #118 of 1,591
  • Best College Campuses in America #206 of 1,408
  • Best Value Colleges in America #212 of 1,590
  • Top Public Universities in Pennsylvania #2 of 38
  • Best Big Colleges in Pennsylvania #2 of 3
  • Colleges with the Best Student Life in Pennsylvania #3 of 109
  • Best Colleges for Nursing in Pennsylvania #3 of 53
  • Best College Locations in Pennsylvania #4 of 107
  • Best College Campuses in Pennsylvania #10 of 104
  • Best Colleges in Pennsylvania #11 of 111
  • Colleges with the Best Academics in Pennsylvania #13 of 111
  • Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania #19 of 110
  • Best Colleges in Pittsburgh Area #2 of 18
  • Best Value Colleges in Pittsburgh Area #3 of 18

Forbes (2019)

  • #151 Top Colleges
  • #43 in Public Colleges
  • #80 in Research Universities
  • #71 in the Northeast
  • #268 America's Best Value Colleges

The Princeton Review (2018-2019)

  • The Best 384 Colleges
  • Best Northeastern
  • Colleges That Create Futures
  • Colleges That Pay You Back
  • Green Colleges

The University of Pittsburgh is recognized as the best public university in the Northeast and the best public value in Pennsylvania, according to 2018-2019 rankings by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings and Kiplinger's Personal Finance, respectively.

MONEY Magazine ranked Pitt #362 Best Colleges For Your Money (2018-2019).

Accreditation

The BSN, MSN, post-graduate APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) pre-accredited the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Nurse-Midwife Doctor of Nursing Practice Program midwifery program.

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

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) accredited the Pitt School of Nursing's BSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia and MSN to DNP Nurse Anesthesia degree programs.

The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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