Program Overview

Master of Science in Population Health Nursing

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Population Health Nursing program at the University at Albany is designed to prepare students to address the social determinants of health and respond to the health needs of vulnerable populations and communities. The program provides a path for successful employment in settings such as health departments, community health organizations, occupational health facilities, correctional facilities, schools, and other organizations.

Program of Study

The 42-credit program includes:

• Nursing Courses (9 credits)
  • Foundations of Advanced-Level Nursing
  • Nursing Research Methods
  • Health Care Policy & Systems Leadership
• Population Health Courses (9 credits)
  • Principles of Statistical Inference
  • Principles and Methods of Epidemiology I
  • Principles of Public Health
• Population Health Practice Courses (15 credits, includes clinical experience in each course)
  • Public/Population Health Nursing I, II, and III
• Health Disparities Concentration Courses (9 credits)
  • Choose three:
    • Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health
    • Health Communication and Health Disparities
    • Health Disparities and Vulnerable Populations
    • Program Development in Health Promotion

Career Outcomes

With a master's in population health nursing, graduates will have the expertise to educate, assess, treat, and advocate for the health of the populations they serve across the care continuum. Potential employers include state and local health departments, community health organizations, home health agencies, schools and colleges, occupational health facilities, insurance companies, and traditional health care organizations.

Potential job titles for an MS degree in population health nursing:

• Community Health Nurse
• Supervising Public Health Nurse
• Care Coordination Manager
• Nursing Team Leader
• Population Health and Wellness Nurse
• Adjunct nursing faculty member in higher education

Accreditation

The master's degree program in nursing at the University at Albany is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Admission Requirements

• Deadlines: Rolling for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters
• Application Requirements:
  • A BS or pending BS in Nursing (BS, BSN) from an institution accredited by ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA
  • GPA of 3.0 or better
  • One college-level course in statistics
  • Submit a copy of your current, unrestricted license to practice as a registered professional nurse
• Required Application Materials:
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of goals
  • Resume

Student Learning Objectives

Graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Integrate advanced knowledge from nursing, related sciences, and humanities to provide a theoretical framework for advanced practice in population health nursing.
2. Apply organizational theories and systems thinking to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness, and safety outcomes of practice decisions and initiatives.
3. Demonstrate competencies to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions and conduct a scholarly inquiry.
4. Apply knowledge of informatics to coordinate and improve programs and systems of care.
5. Incorporate advanced nursing practice standards to advocate for health policy and affect systems-level change within populations, health care environments, and organizational systems.
6. Apply evidence-based and interprofessional approaches for the design and delivery of comprehensive, culturally competent care to individuals/families, communities, and populations.
7. Practice in an advanced nursing role in collaboration with other disciplines to improve population health outcomes.

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again. Supplemental programs available with this degree include:

• Africana Studies CGS
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Demography CGS
• Global Health Studies CGS
• Health Disparities CGS
• HIV Studies CGS
• International Education Management CGS
• Maternal and Child Health CGS
• Public Health Surveillance and Preparedness CGS