Connell School of Nursing
The William F. Connell School of Nursing offers a Master of Science (M.S.) degree program, preparing individuals to become advanced generalists or nurse anesthetists; a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program, preparing individuals for advanced nursing practice as nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists; and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program, preparing highly qualified individuals for research and leadership roles in nursing, health care, research, and academic settings.
Accreditation
The Connell School of Nursing programs are nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).For additional information, visit the. The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program with a Major in Nursing
The Ph.D. in Nursing Program emphasizes knowledge development and research to advance nursing science and improve the health of individuals, families, and communities. For the program objectives, please refer to the student handbook.
The Ph.D. program includes two phases: coursework and dissertation. After finishing the required coursework, the student completes a comprehensive examination. The purpose of the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination is to demonstrate mastery of the program objectives through written and oral responses to questions related to knowledge development, research methods, substantive knowledge, ethical judgment, nursing/healthcare issues, and health policy. After successful completion of the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination, the student moves to the dissertation phase, in which the student develops and conducts original dissertation research. The Ph.D. program and defense of the final dissertation must be completed within eight years of initial enrollment. Policies and procedures are consistent with those of the University.
Consistent with the recommendations of leading professional organizations, full-time doctoral study is highly recommended. Fellowships, scholarships, and other financial resources are available to full-time Ph.D. students through the Connell School of Nursing (CSON), Boston College, professional nursing organizations, and governmental agencies (e.g., HRSA, NIH, and NINR). The full-time plan of study allows students to complete required coursework in two years; some students may take longer to complete required coursework or may need to take additional coursework. Most full-time students complete the entire Ph.D. program in four to five years. Part-time students usually take longer to complete the degree. The entire Ph.D. program, including dissertation research and defense, must be completed within eight years.
Low student-to-faculty ratios and research mentorship facilitate student success and program completion in a reasonable amount of time. Multiple resources for scholarly development are available within the Connell School of Nursing, the University, our consortium University partners, and through research collaborations with research and clinical academic centers of the Greater Boston area. The Ph.D. program offers a variety of learning opportunities through course work, CSON forums, interdisciplinary colloquia, and collaborations through the Harvard Catalyst, independent study, and research practice. An individualized plan of study is developed according to the student’s educational background, research interests, and stage of development in scholarly activities.
Program of Study
A minimum of forty-seven (47) credits are required to complete the Ph.D. degree. Additional credits and course work may be needed, depending upon the student’s background, previous graduate training, and area of research interest. Substantive content expertise is acquired by taking cognates and elective courses in the area of interest. The research component of the program includes qualitative and quantitative research methods, statistics, research seminars, research practice and experiences, and dissertation development and advisement.
The list of courses in the Ph.D. program of study can be found in theCSON Graduate Student Handbook.
Ph.D. Funding
There are three major sources of funding for full-time students in the doctoral program in nursing at Boston College.
- University Fellowships are awarded to eligible full-time students each year on a competitive basis. Full tuition and a stipend are provided for up to three years as long as the student maintains good academic standing and demonstrates progress toward the Ph.D.
- Research Assistant positions may be available through faculty research grants.
- Teaching Assistant positions are available within the Connell School of Nursing.
Additional grants and scholarship opportunities are available on an individual basis. Students are encouraged to apply for a competitive individual National Research Service Award to assist with tuition and to provide a stipend.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Ph.D. program often seek positions in academic settings or in health care, industry, government, or other settings where research is conducted. Some Ph.D. graduates continue on to complete post-doctoral fellowships at research centers located at universities, government, or health care agencies.
Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree Program
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is a terminal nursing practice degree emphasizing holistic and compassionate care in the preparation of advanced practice nurses. The DNP program prepares advanced practice nurses with the knowledge and skill for providing comprehensive primary care to patients, families, communities, and populations within our complex and ever-changing health care system. With a focus on innovative and effective leadership, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and a systems approach to care, the DNP advanced practice nurse is equipped to become an expert nurse leader in improving health outcomes.
The DNP program builds upon and integrates core course work in Epidemiology, Health Care Policy for Nursing Practice Leaders, Healthcare Information Technology Management, Program Planning and Evaluation for Population Health, Healthcare Quality Management, as well as the three P’s (Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Life Span, Advanced Health/Physical Assessment Across the Life Span, Pharmacotherapeutics in Advanced Practice Nursing) throughout the curriculum and clinical practicum courses. A focus on the history of nursing science, nursing’s ethical responsibilities, as well as a strong foundation in evidence-based practice, culminates in the development of a student-led, innovative practice improvement or change project (DNP project).
DNP Areas of Specialization
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
A graduate of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty program is able to manage the health care of adolescents, adults, and older adults, providing interventions to promote optimal health across a wide range of settings. Graduates serve as advanced practice nurses in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, clinics, health maintenance organizations, hospices, home care, and community-based medical practices, and they can pursue national certification (through organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center) as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
The Nurse Anesthesia Program is a collaborative effort between the William F. Connell School of Nursing and Anesthesia Associates of Massachusetts. The curriculum design takes advantage of the core courses common to all DNP nursing specialties. In addition, students learn the advanced physiologic and pharmacologic principles specific to nurse anesthesia practice. The Nurse Anesthesia program of study includes 49 credits of core courses and 51 credits of specialty and theory clinical practicum. Clinical practices take place at the varied facilities where Anesthesia Associates of Massachusetts provide services and give students broad hands-on experience. The thirty-six month full-time curriculum is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs; graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination of the Council on Certification. The Nurse Anesthesia Program is accredited through June 2026 by the Council on Accreditation (COA) for Nurse Anesthesia Programs. The list of courses can be found in theNurse Anesthesia Graduate Student Handbook Addendum.
Family Nurse Practitioner
A graduate of the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty program is able to deliver primary care to individuals, families, and communities across a broad range of racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic, and age/development strata. Graduates can serve as Family Nurse Practitioners in a variety of health care settings, including ambulatory settings, wellness centers, home health agencies, occupational health sites, senior centers, homeless shelters, and migrant camps. Graduates can pursue national certification (through organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center) as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
A graduate of the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty program is able to provide a wide range of primary and secondary health services for children from infancy through adolescence. Graduates can serve as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in a variety of health care agencies and community settings. Graduates can pursue national certification (through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners) as a Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
A graduate of the Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty program is able to conduct psychotherapy with individuals across the life span, groups, and families. Graduates can also function as case managers for persons with psychiatric disorders, provide psychiatric consultation to primary care providers, serve as Psychiatric-Mental Health Specialists in a variety of settings, including out-patient, partial hospitalization, day treatment, and community-based intervention programs. Graduates are eligible to seek national certification (through organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center) as a Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and can apply for prescriptive authority in many states (including Massachusetts).
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
A graduate of the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner specialty program is able to provide direct care to meet women’s unique concerns and health needs across the life span. Graduates can also serve as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner inside or outside of formal health care agencies and institutions. Graduates can pursue national certification as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner offered by national programs such as the National Certification Corporation.
Program Entry Options
Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Direct Entry Doctor of Nursing Practice program is an accelerated program designed for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree or higher in fields other than nursing who wish to pursue preparation as an advanced practice nurse. The Direct Entry DNP provides a seamless, integrated curriculum to prepare students for license as registered nurses and for certification as advanced practice nurses. In this program, students complete extensive prerequisite courses prior to enrollment. They study and complete advanced generalist nursing requirements on an intensive full-time basis during the first five semesters of the program.
Students will meet both the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice and the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing during the five semester pre-licensure portion of the program. A Master of Science in Nursing as an Advanced Generalist is conferred upon successful completion of the pre-licensure coursework, whereupon students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The pre-licensure component of the program consists of 57 academic credits.
After passing the NCLEX-RN exam and receiving a license as a registered nurse, students then proceed into the doctoral level coursework in one of the following nurse practitioner specialty areas of practice: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. In order to progress to nurse practitioner study (doctoral level), students must be in good academic standing and be licensed as registered nurses. The program includes a clinical project associated practicum, a minimum of 750 direct patient care clinical hours, and an additional 49 credits following conferral of the pre-licensure master’s degree.
Applicants are reviewed and accepted into the clinical specialty program to which they apply and are assigned a clinical placement year at that time. Students are permitted to slow down and attend part-time during the nurse practitioner component. To do so, they should contact the graduate office to find out when a clinical seat would be available. Students who wish to change specialty programs must contact the graduate office, the two program directors, and must apply to the new specialty. Acceptance is not guaranteed and may slow completion of the degree as the clinical year is assigned on a space available basis.
Direct Entry program students are not eligible to apply to the nurse anesthesia program because admission to this program requires a minimum of one-year of experience as a registered nurse in an intensive care (ICU) setting.
Post-Baccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Post-Baccalaureate DNP provides a seamless, integrated curriculum to prepare registered nurses for certification as advanced practice nurses. This program is designed for individuals who hold baccalaureate degree in nursing and wish to specialize in one of the following specialty practice areas: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, can be completed on a full or part-time basis. The program includes a clinical project associated practicum, a minimum of 750 direct patient care clinical practice hours, and 73 academic credits.
Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Post-Master’s DNP program is designed for currently practicing master’s prepared advanced practice nurse practitioners who wish to complete a terminal practice degree program. Following a complete portfolio review and building on prior clinical knowledge and experience, students will focus on innovative core class work in healthcare quality, safety, informatics, and policy. Building on a foundation of evidence-based practice knowledge, students will develop and lead an innovative practice improvement or change project. The program includes a project associated practicum which is individualized based on the results of the portfolio review and a minimum of 34 academic credits.
RN (ASN) to Doctor to Nursing Practice (DNP)
The RN to DNP program is designed for the associate degree prepared registered nurse who wishes to become an advanced practice nurse and specialize in one of the following specialty practice areas: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Following a complete portfolio review, an individualized curriculum of classroom and clinical content will be developed. Students entering by this route will be required to complete bridge course work prior to beginning the DNP curriculum. This program can be completed on a full or part-time basis. A minimum of 750 direct patient care hours and another 250 of indirect care hours which will be included in the DNP project. Credit hours are dependent on results of the individual portfolio review.
Master of Science Degree Program with a Major in Nursing
The graduate of the master’s program is prepared as an advanced generalist nurse with disciplinary knowledge and skill to provide culturally sensitive, safe, and high-quality care. The graduate will improve the delivery of care through leadership, mentorship, and evidence-based practice. The graduate will have met the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. The graduate without a baccalaureate degree in nursing will have met the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice and will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Program objectives can be found in theMaster's Student Handbook.
Program Entry Options
Post-Baccalaureate Advanced Generalist
The Post-Baccalaureate Master of Science in Nursing, Advanced Generalist is designed for bachelor’s prepared registered nurses. This program is designed for current nurses to advance into nursing leadership roles. Students will meet the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. The Advanced Generalist Master’s (AGM) program utilizes evidence-based practice to improve the delivery of care through leadership and mentorship culminating in a clinical experience in advanced generalist practice. This program consists of 32 credits.
Direct Entry Advanced Generalist
The Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing, Advanced Generalist program is an accelerated program designed for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree or higher in fields other than nursing who wish to pursue preparation as a registered nurse. The Direct Entry Advanced Generalist Master’s (AGM) program provides a seamless, integrated curriculum to prepare students for license as registered nurses with enhanced content in healthcare quality, informatics, nursing leadership and policy. In this program, students complete extensive prerequisite courses prior to acceptance and enrollment. They study and complete generalist nursing requirements on an intensive full-time basis during the five semesters of the program.
Students will meet both the AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice and the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing during the five semester program. A Master of Science in Nursing as an Advanced Generalist is conferred upon successful completion of the pre-licensure coursework, whereupon students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The pre-licensure component of the program consists of 58 academic credits. The list of courses in the Direct Entry Master’s Advanced Generalist program can be found in theMaster's Student Handbook. For further details, please visit.
RN (ASN) to M.S., Advanced Generalist
The RN to Master of Science in Nursing, Advanced Generalist is designed for associate’s prepared registered nurses. This program is designed for current nurses to advance into registered nurse leadership roles. Students will meet the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. The Advanced Generalist Master’s (AGM) program utilizes evidence-based practice to improve the delivery of care through leadership and mentorship culminating in a clinical experience in advanced generalist practice. Following a complete portfolio review, an individualized curriculum of classroom and clinical content will be developed. Students entering by this route will be required to complete bridge course work prior to beginning the master’s curriculum. Credit hours are dependent on the results of the individual portfolio review.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
The Nurse Anesthesia Program is a collaborative effort between the William F. Connell School of Nursing and Anesthesia Associates of Massachusetts. The curriculum design takes advantage of the core courses common to all master’s degree nursing specialties. In addition, students learn the advanced physiologic and pharmacologic principles specific to nurse anesthesia practice. The Nurse Anesthesia program of study includes 21 credits of core courses and 49 credits of specialty and theory clinical practicum. Clinical practica take place at the varied facilities where Anesthesia Associates of Massachusetts provide services and give students broad hands-on experience. The 27-month full-time curriculum is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs; graduates are eligible to sit for the National Certification Examination of the Council on Certification. The Nurse Anesthesia Program was re-accredited in 2015 by the Council on Accreditation (COA) for Nurse Anesthesia Programs. The list of courses can be found in the Master’s Student Handbook.
Electives
Elective course options within the Connell School of Nursing include: NURS7524 Master’s Research Practicum; NURS7525 Integrative Review of Nursing Research; and graduate level independent study. Additional elective courses are offered in forensic nursing, global health, sexual health, and interdisciplinary approaches to palliative care. Other relevant graduate level elective courses are available in other schools or departments at Boston College. Independent Study is recommended for students who have a particular interest that is not addressed in required courses in the curriculum. Other electives are available through the consortium.
Non-Degree (Special Student)
The Special Student status is for non-matriculated students with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who are not seeking a degree but are interested in pursuing course work at the graduate level. Persons interested in this option must apply and be admitted as a non-degree student to the Connell School of Nursing, Graduate Programs before registering for courses. Some courses are restricted to matriculated students only; other courses allow enrollment on a space-available basis.
Cooperating Health Agencies
Our programs utilize numerous and diverse practice settings in the city of Boston, the greater metropolitan area, and eastern New England. Sites are selected to offer rich experiences for developing advanced competencies in the nursing specialty. Community agencies include the Boston VNA, mental health centers, general health centers, community health centers, college health clinics, public health departments, visiting nurse associations, health maintenance organizations, nurse practitioners in private practice, and home care agencies. Additional settings include hospice, homeless shelters, schools, prisons, and Boston Veterans Administration (VA) health services. Selected major teaching hospitals used include Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, McLean Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Medical Center, and Boston Children’s Hospital.
Admission Requirements
For all admissions requirements, please visit the Connell School of Nursing website at theHow to Applypage.
General Information
Read below for more information regarding graduate study at the Connell School of Nursing.
Graduate Academic Policies in the Connell School of Nursing
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to have high standards of integrity in both the academic and clinical settings. CSON adheres to the Boston College policies surrounding academic integrity. This policy may be accessed online at thePolicies and Proceduressection of this Catalog.
Expected ethical behavior in clinical situations is based on the American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics for Nurses (ANA, 2001, 2010). Students are expected to protect patients’ confidentiality at all times, and to be honest in any documentation regarding the patient’s condition and their own assessments and interventions. Students are expected to maintain high professional standards, including being physically, intellectually, emotionally, and academically prepared when caring for patients. Unprofessional conduct is considered serious and may result in dismissal from the school.
Graduate Academic Standing and Progression Policies
The Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee, composed of professors responsible for the nursing (NURS) courses and courses in the MS and DNP (nursing) program, meets at the end of each semester to review the records of graduate students with course failures, course deficiencies, low GPAs, or other academic concerns. The Committee may also meet at any time during the academic year in exigent circumstances upon faculty request (i.e., unprofessional conduct or clinical safety concerns). Students will be promptly notified before undergoing Committee review. This Committee makes recommendations about progression in the program in accordance with the policies described below and other relevant university policies. Final progressions decisions are made and implemented by the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs.
Graduate students are expected to maintain good academic standing at all times and progress through their program of study in accordance with program standards and performance expectations. Those who are not in good academic standing or are not progressing are subject to review by the Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee.
Grade Point Average
All graduate students in the Connell School of Nursing are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to remain in good academic standing. If a student has a GPA of less than 3.0, the Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee will be convened to hear the case.
Pre-licensure Coursework
If a student receives a grade of B- (80%) or above in a pre-licensure course they will pass the course. If a graduate student receives a C (74-79%) on a NURS pre-licensure course (listed below), the Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee will be convened to hear the case.
- NURS 8001 Pharmacology and Nutrition
- NURS 8004 Direct Entry Adult Nursing Clinical with laboratory
- NURS 8005 Direct Entry Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Theory
- NURS 8006 Direct Entry Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical
- NURS 8007 Direct Entry Child Health Theory
- NURS 8008 Direct Entry Child Clinical
- NURS 8009 Direct Entry Childbearing Theory
- NURS 8010 Direct Entry Childbearing Clinical
- NURS 8011 Nursing Synthesis Practicum
- NURS 8012 Population Health Clinical
- NURS 8013 Direct Entry Adult Health Theory
The Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee will determine the best course of action. The student will be placed on academic notice and remedial steps may require the graduate student to:
- Contact the Connors Learning Center to receive support and/or tutoring;
- Achieve >83 on a course-specific NCLEX preparation platform approved by the Graduate Dean.
If a graduate student receives a failing grade F (< 74%) on a NURS pre-licensure course or strategically withdraws from the course (i.e., withdraws from the course on a date later than the course withdrawal deadline to avoid failure from the course), the Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee will be convened to hear the case and determine the best course of action. The student will be placed on academic notice and at minimum, be required to retake the course before advancing in the curriculum. Students have only one opportunity to repeat a nursing course after course failure or strategically withdrawing from the course. All above NURS courses must be taken at Boston College.
Graduate Coursework
The minimum acceptable passing grade for graduate courses (other than the NURS pre-licensure courses listed above) is a B- (80%). If a student receives a grade below B- in any graduate course other than the above NURS pre-licensure courses or strategically withdraws from a course, the Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee will be convened to hear the case. The student will be placed on academic notice and at minimum, be required to retake the course before advancing in the curriculum. Graduate students have only one opportunity to repeat a nursing course after strategically withdrawing from the course or not achieving a B- (80%).
If a graduate student has more than one grade below B- (80%), more than one strategic withdrawal, or a combination of a grade below a B- and a strategic withdrawal (in any graduate nursing course other than the pre-licensure courses listed above), the Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee will be convened to hear the case and determine the best course of action, including up to dismissal from the nursing program.
Any graduate student who, by the faculty’s evaluation, is deemed to have engaged in unsafe clinical practice or who otherwise demonstrates unprofessional conduct in the clinical setting, will be removed from the setting immediately. These behaviors are grounds for failure in any clinical course. In such cases, the Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee will be convened to hear the case and determine the best course of action, including up to dismissal from the program.
If a graduate student demonstrates unprofessional conduct in the classroom and/or interactions with vlogֱƽ̨ faculty or staff, or engages in academic dishonesty and/or other ethical violations, including in the conduct of academic research, they will be reviewed by Graduate Academic Standards and Progression Committee to hear the case and determine the best course of action, including up to dismissal from the program.
The Associate Dean of Graduate Programs will notify the student of the outcome of academic review as soon as possible. A student may submit a formal appeal if they believe there has been a procedural violation, a mistake of fact, or an arbitrary or unethical evaluation. See Graduate Students Rights & Grievances – Formal Appeals.
Graduate students who are on notice are not eligible for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships and/or any type of merit-based tuition remission award.
For the procedure for graduate student grievances and the formal appeals procedure, please refer to the student handbook:
Transfer of Credits
Matriculated graduate students may request permission to transfer in up to 6 credits of graduate course work completed at another regionally accredited graduate university.
To request to have an outside course considered for transfer, the student must email a copy of the course description for electives and course syllabus for core courses to the graduate office. To be considered for transfer, the course must meet all of the following criteria:
- The course was completed within the past five years.
- The course was not applied to a prior degree*
- The student earned a grade of 80% (B-) or better in the course.
- The CSON TOR and Graduate Associate Dean deem the course equivalent.
*if the course was applied to a prior degree, the student may be approved to Opt-Out of the course, and would have to replace the credits with electives.
If approved for course transfer, the student must submit an official transcript documenting a grade of 80% (B-) or better to the graduate office for processing. The transfer course and credit will be recorded on the student's transcript after the completion of one full semester at Boston College. Once matriculated, only graduate courses taken at Boston College (or consortium) will count towards degree requirements. Core courses (i.e., Boston College Graduate nursing courses) that were taken prior to matriculation may be considered on a case-by-case basis (i.e. an Ethics course completed at vlogֱƽ̨).
Time to Degree Completion
Students in the M.S. program have five (5) years from initial enrollment to complete their program of study. Students in the DNP program have eight (8) years from initial enrollment to complete their program of study. Students in the Ph.D. program have eight (8) years from initial enrollment to complete all degree requirements, including defending and submitting the final version of the dissertation.
Graduate students may apply for a leave of absence (LOA) for personal reasons, health reasons, or other extenuating circumstances. LOAs are usually granted for one semester; a two semester LOA may be granted under unusual circumstances. Leaves of Absence do not “stop the clock” or extend the program time limits. An exception is made for graduate students who require an LOA due to active military service. Students should contact the Graduate Associate Dean. Graduate students who exceed the program time limits or who fail to make progress towards their degree will be reviewed by the Graduate Academic Standards and Progressions Committee and may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Financial Aid
Applicants and students should refer to the Connell School of Nursing web page for Financial Aid resources at theAdmission and Aidpage. Refer to the Financial Aid section of this Catalog for additional information regarding other financial aid information.
Housing
The Boston College Off-Campus Housing Office offers assistance to graduate students in procuring living arrangements. Please refer to theOff-Campus Housingwebsite.
Transportation
Precepted clinical practices are held in a wide variety of hospitals, clinics, and health-related agencies and are a vital part of the graduate nursing program. Most of the clinical facilities are located in the greater Metropolitan Boston area, although some are located in the suburbs, eastern Massachusetts, southern New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the clinical facilities.
Graduate Program Contacts in the Connell School of Nursing
The Dean of the School of Nursing is responsible for the overall administration of the school.
Katherine E. Gregory, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Dean
Office: Maloney 294
Telephone: 617-552-4251
The Associate Deans are responsible for academic and financial administration.
M. Colleen Simonelli, Ph.D., RNC
Associate Dean for Student Services and Professor of the Practice
Office: Maloney 218
Telephone: 617-552-3232
Christopher Grillo
Associate Dean for Finance and Administration
Office: Maloney 294
Telephone: 617-552-8531
The Program Directors are responsible for the direct oversight of their respective APRN programs.
Graduate Clinical Specialty Program Directors
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Program:
Kellie LaPierre, DNP, GNP-C
Office: Maloney 370
Telephone: 617-552-4270
Family Primary Care Program:
Bethany Croke, D.N.P., FNP-vlogֱƽ̨
Office: Maloney 358
Telephone: 617-552-4250
Pediatric Primary Care Program:
Laura White, Ph.D., M.S., RN, CPNP, PMHNP-vlogֱƽ̨
Office: Maloney 361A
Telephone: 617-552-1630
Psychiatric-Mental Health Program:
Karen Pounds, Ph.D., MS
Office: Maloney 267
Telephone: 617-552-4250
Women’s Health Program:
Katharine Hutchinson, Dr.PH, CNM
Office: Maloney 368
Telephone: 617-552-4250
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Program:
Susan Emery, Ph.D., CRNA
Office: Maloney 234
Telephone: 617-552-6844