University of Utah

What you'll study

This master’s pathway programme builds advanced nursing knowledge across three principal streams: Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Core graduate-level modules emphasise advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, leadership in healthcare, ethics and evidence-based practice. Students also study research methods and biostatistics to support critical appraisal and implementation of clinical research.

Typical modules and topics include:

• Advanced Clinical Practice: advanced assessment and clinical decision-making, complex care management, and practicum placements in acute and community settings.
• Nursing Administration: healthcare systems and policy, organisational leadership, management of human and financial resources, quality improvement and patient safety.
• Nursing Research: quantitative and qualitative research methods, grant writing, evidence synthesis and translational research focused on improving patient outcomes.
• Clinical Nursing Specialisms: specialty-focused care pathways, clinical practicum hours under faculty and clinical preceptors, and integration of evidence into practice.
• Interprofessional Practice: collaborative care, health informatics and population health, often taught alongside students in medicine, pharmacy and allied health.

Programme structure typically combines classroom-based seminars, simulation lab sessions, supervised clinical placements and a capstone project or thesis option for students in the research stream. The clinical component is arranged with affiliated hospitals and community providers and is intended to consolidate advanced competencies in real-world settings.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to hold an accredited Bachelor’s degree; most applicants have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) licence. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree in a related field and relevant nursing experience may be considered where a pathway or bridge option is available.

• Current RN licence appropriate to practice in the United States.
• Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution; a competitive undergraduate GPA is expected.
• Clinical experience as a registered nurse is usually required, with preference given to those with at least one to two years of practice.
• Supporting documents: academic transcripts, professional CV or résumé, personal statement outlining career goals and fit with the chosen pathway, and professional references.
• Some applicants may be invited to interview; additional requirements such as background checks, immunisations and drug screening apply prior to clinical placements.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme pursue a range of advanced roles across healthcare, research and education. Typical career outcomes include:

• Nursing administration and leadership roles: nurse manager, director of nursing, quality improvement or patient safety lead.
• Clinical expert roles: clinical nurse specialist, advanced practice roles within defined scopes, nurse clinician positions in specialty units.
• Nursing research and academic careers: research coordinator, clinical trial specialist, doctoral study preparation and faculty positions in nursing education.
• Policy, population health and system improvement roles in hospitals, public health agencies and non-profit organisations.

Graduates are prepared to apply evidence-based solutions, lead multidisciplinary teams, design and evaluate quality improvement projects, and contribute to scholarly work that informs clinical practice and policy.

Why study at University of Utah

The University of Utah College of Nursing offers strong clinical partnerships with the University of Utah Health system and other regional healthcare providers, providing diverse placement opportunities across acute care, specialty services and community settings. Students benefit from modern simulation facilities and interdisciplinary teaching alongside other health professional programmes, which supports real-world team-based care learning.

Faculty include clinician-educators and researchers active in areas such as patient safety, chronic disease management and nursing outcomes research. The programme’s emphasis on evidence-based practice, combined with access to institutional research resources and mentorship, helps graduates move into leadership, research or advanced clinical roles. The Salt Lake City metropolitan area also offers a broad clinical landscape for practicum experiences and employment opportunities following graduation.