Program Overview

Introduction to the Masters Direct Entry Program For Non-Nurses

The Masters Direct Entry (MDE) Program at Columbia University School of Nursing is a full-time accelerated nursing program designed for non-nurse college graduates who wish to become registered nurses (RNs). This 15-month program prepares students in the provision of evidence-based nursing care with an emphasis on care coordination and religio/cultural care to patients along the wellness/illness continuum and across all care settings.

Program Details

• Length of Program: 15 months
• Priority Application Deadline: November 17
• Final Application Deadline: December 15
• Decisions Posted: January
• Program Start Date: June

Curriculum

The curriculum provides basic nursing knowledge and practice expertise enhanced with master’s course work in advanced assessment, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and global health. Students complete over 1,000 clinical hours in small group clinical settings in areas such as labor and delivery, medical surgical, pediatrics, community health, and psychiatric-mental health.

Courses

The following courses are part of the MDE program:

• NURS8685N: Advanced Clinical Assessment Across the Lifespan
• NURS8102N: Advanced Pharmacology
• NURS7001N: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan I
• NURS7002N: Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan II
• NURS7004N: Care Coordination
• NURS6010N: Global Health Equity and the Responsibility of the Nursing Profession
• NURS7005N: Health and Social Policy in the Context of Practice
• NURS7003N: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• NURS6400N: Integration of Nursing Practice
• NURS7000N: Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
• NURS7020N: Master's Portfolio
• NURS5950N: Nursing Leadership and Management
• NURS6321N: Nursing Practice with Adults I
• NURS6323N: Nursing Practice with Adults II
• NURS6307N: Nursing Practice with Childbearing Families
• NURS6309N: Nursing Practice with Children
• NURS5375N: Pharmacology
• NURS5300N: Physical Assessment
• NURS6303N: Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
• NURS5400N: Science of Nursing Practice
• NURS5450N: Science of Nursing Practice: Practicum
• NURS5451N: Science of Nursing Practice: Skills Lab
• NURS6320N: Sci. of Nursing Practice with Adults I
• NURS6322N: Sci. of Nursing Practice with Adults II
• NURS6306N: Science of Nursing Practice with Childbearing Families
• NURS6308N: Science of Nursing Practice with Children
• NURS6302N: Science of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practice
• NURS5800N: Topics in Nursing Practice
• NURS7102N: Advanced Pharmacology for Non-Prescribers
• NURS5955N: Quality Improvement Practicum
• NURS5350N: Physical Assessment: Lab
• NURS6331N: Ambulatory Care Nursing: Seminar
• NURS6330N: Ambulatory Care Nursing
• NURS6450N: PREPARATION FOR LICENSURE

Program Options

Applicants can apply jointly into the MDE and doctoral programs:

• DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
• DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Program
• DNP Nurse-Midwifery Program
• DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

NCLEX Licensure Pass Rates

The program's NCLEX licensure pass rates for the past years are as follows:

• 2024: 91.4%
• 2023: 93.2%
• 2022: 93.6%
• 2021: 91.4%
• 2020: 94.3%
• 2019: 94.2%
• 2018: 91.5%
• 2017: 94.4%
• 2016: 77.2%
• 2015: 92%
• 2014: 81.7%
• 2013: 88.2%
• 2012: 94.5%

Hybrid Masters Direct Entry Program

The Hybrid Masters Direct Entry Program offers a flexible and supportive pathway into the nursing profession, beginning each summer. As an alternative to the traditional four-semester format, this seven-semester program is designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners.

Total Credits

The total credits required for the program are 78 – 80.