University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) School of Nursing

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW–Madison), a public institution founded in 1849, has grown to one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive research universities.

UW-Madison's School of Nursing was established in 1924.

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional)

The traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing prepares students to become nurses through the use of extensive clinical experiences and interactive simulations using state-of-the art equipment. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX and become licensed in their state as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Admission (not all inclusive)

• 54 college-level credits
• 2.75 minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA)
• Seven prerequisite courses with a maximum of three in progress during the spring term prior to enrollment
• 2.75 minimum GPA in the combined seven prerequisite courses

RN to BSN Online Program: BSN@Home

This low-residency program is for nurses who have a diploma in nursing or a two-year associate's nursing degree. Nurses can complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing without having to relocate. This program is mostly online. At the end of the program, nurses can complete their unique capstone practicum that gives students an integrative educational experience.

Early Entry PhD Option

The program is for students who are interested in research as a career path. Programs of study are individually planned by the advisory committee and utilize student interests, backgrounds, and goals. The student is also a part of the planning process. Satisfactory progress in the Early Entry PhD Option (including maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher) guarantees admission to the PhD program.

BS to Master of Public Health (MPH) Option

This unique degree option gives undergraduate nursing students the opportunity to seek early admission to the MPH program and enroll in selected MPH courses while completing requirements for the BSN. The student can obtain both the BSN and the MPH degree over five years (three years from admission to the nursing program).

Graduate

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares students to become experts in specialized nursing practice. Core competencies in systematic evaluation of practice, leadership/policy, and clinical practice are developed by combining coursework, a scholarly project, and supervised clinical hours.

Students choose one population focus and are prepared for Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) certification in one of the following:

• Adult/Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric–Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD program is a 52-credit program that includes core courses in scholarly inquiry, theory and practice of nursing, policy and leadership, and nursing education.

Other Options for Advanced Study

• Nurse Educator Certificate
• Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate

The PhD program is not an online program and can be completed in four years.

There are three available routes to attaining the PhD Degree: Post-bachelors, Post-masters, and Early Entry PhD Option.

Nurse Educator Certificates

Students who complete the certificate are eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator Examination.

The Nurse Educator Certificate program is for students currently enrolled in a nursing doctoral program (DNP or PhD).

The Nurse Educator Capstone Certificate program is for masters- or doctoral-prepared nurses who are not currently enrolled in a nursing doctoral program.

Eligibility Requirements (not all inclusive)

• Master's degree from an accredited nursing program or currently enrolled in a DNP or PhD in nursing program
• RN license
• MS GPA of 3.0

Psychiatric Mental Health Certificate

This 18-credit post-graduate capstone certificate program is designed to address our nation’s growing need for psychiatric mental health services. Students are given the opportunity if they are nurses with a Master’s or doctoral degree to expand their practice with an added certification.

Eligibility Requirements (not all inclusive)

1. BSN and MSN from an accredited nursing program
2. RN license
3. Certification as an advanced practice nurse or eligible to apply for certification
4. Prerequisite courses in advanced assessment across the lifespan, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics prior to starting the certificate

Rankings

US News & World Report (2020)

• #49 (tie) in National Universities
• #23 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans
• #24 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
• #35 Best Global Universities
• #106 in Best Value Schools
• #40 (tie) in High School Counselor Rankings
• #15 (tie) in Top Public Schools

NICHE (2019)

Forbes (2018-2019)

• #220 Best Employers for New Grads
• #75 Top Colleges
• #17 in Public Colleges
• #41 in Research Universities
• #11 in the region
• #117 America's Best Value Colleges

College Factual (2019)

• #605 The top 20% best colleges and universities nationwide
• #2 Best Colleges for the Money in Wisconsin
• #82 out of 1,779 Overall Best Colleges

The Princeton Review (2019)

• The Best 384 Colleges
• Best Midwestern
• Best Value Colleges

MONEY Magazine (2018-2019) ranked UW-Madison #48 Best Colleges For Your Money.

Accreditation

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

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has been continuously accredited, since 1913, by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).