Academics
Become a leader in the field of nursing. Whether you choose to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Science in Nursing and Interprofessional Leadership or PhD, enroll in a certificate program or take continuing education courses, it’s your time to get ahead—and the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing can get you there.
Explore the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing
Wendy Arena, PhD student
When Wendy Arena, MSN, began teaching nursing full-time at Fitchburg State University, she set a goal for herself to earn her doctorate. Some of her teaching colleagues attended the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School, and that’s where Arena decided to earn her PhD.
Kat Mendez, DNP'23
Kat Mendez, RN, DNP'23, wants to impact how people access mental health care, having grown up in a family culture where mental health conditions were not believed and having had discouraging experiences with medical professionals. Mendez is hoping to establish good therapeutic relationships with future patients.
Danielle Garrity, MS student
Danielle Garrity was searching for a master’s program tailored toward nurse leaders, not necessarily nurse practitioners or nurse educators. At UMass Chan, she has found the program's willingness to work with each grad student to meet their needs and guide them to success invaluable.
Monica Mbugua, DNP'23
The health disparities that Monica Mbugua, RN, DNP'23, witnessed while growing up in Kenya led her to pursue the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Track at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing at UMass Chan Medical School. She wants to ensure that her patients enjoy their twilight years.
Become a nurse leader

As a student in the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, you will realize intellectual and personal fulfillment through our graduate, continuing education and certificate programs, as you work toward an enriching career in nursing. Join our caring, collaborative community of graduate students today.
At UMass Chan, graduate school means so much more than sitting in a classroom. You’ll have access to industry-leading facilities, state-of-the art equipment and faculty experts who will train you in the mastery of your craft and help you become a leader in nursing.
Graduate Entry Pathway
The Graduate Entry Pathway (GEP) program is for individuals with a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing, leading first to registered nurse (RN) licensure, then to either a Doctor of Nursing Practice or a PhD in Nursing.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares nurse practitioners and advanced nurse practice leaders to transform the field of advanced practice nursing.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
The Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) program is an in-depth education that prepares you to lead the discipline of nursing in research, scholarship and teaching in academia and beyond.
Master of Science in Nursing and Interprofessional Leadership
The Master of Science in Nursing and Interprofessional Leadership program equips you with the knowledge and skills for a competitive edge that expands professional opportunities. The program focuses on building relationships and partnerships with all health care team members, as well as patients and families, to advance health and improve health care in our communities.
Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice
The Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program expands the expertise of advanced practice nurses and nurse leaders, helping you to deliver transformative health care to patients.
Continuing Education
Continuing Education (CE) courses provide opportunities to take a course to further your professional and academic goals as health care evolves and the nurse's role on the interprofessional patient care team becomes more critical.
Post Graduate Certificates
The post graduate certificates are geared toward providing practicing nurse practitioners additional classroom and clinical experience needed to address patient needs across the lifespan. Certificate options include Adult Gerontology Acute Care, Adult Gerontology Primary Care and Psychiatric Mental Health.
Career exploration
Our graduates are prepared to take on leadership roles in hospitals and community-based settings, health care organizations and educational settings, as well as assume roles in research, policy, administration and professional practice. The various curriculums are designed to prepare students to improve and transform health care in all sectors of nursing.

Student Spotlight
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Pediatric intensive care nurse is passionate patient advocate
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War refugee, women’s health advocate chronicles life as a UMass Chan nursing student on YouTube
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The Nutcracker Nurse: Ballerina steps into nursing role through UMass Chan’s Graduate Entry Pathway program
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