Hood College Launches Nursing Master’s and Doctoral Programs

The Graduate School at Hood College is launching two new nursing programs: the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These graduate-level programs will complement the Bachelor of Nursing Science (BSN), the fastest-growing undergraduate major at Hood.

The MSN is currently accepting applications, while the DNP will begin accepting applications in 2025. Both programs are offered fully online.

By training nurse educators, the MSN and DNP will help address pipeline issues, providing opportunities to recruit and retain more nursing students. Hood College’s partnership with Frederick Health, the region’s largest healthcare system, will serve to bolster this workforce development, while the greater Frederick region will also benefit from an increased pool of healthcare professionals.

Under the recently established Ruth Whitaker Holmes School of Behavioral and Health Sciences, the MSN and DNP will address the growing need for future nurse practitioners, nurse educators and healthcare leaders in Maryland and beyond. 

Nationwide, a shortage of nurses has put significant strain on healthcare infrastructure. A report from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing notes that the total supply of registered nurses (RNs) decreased by more than 100,000 from 2020 to 2021, the largest-ever drop in 40 years.

“The graduate nursing programs will allow us to prepare BSNs to serve as educators, leaders and primary care providers,” said Jennifer Cooper, DNP, chair of the Department of Nursing at Hood College and director of the new graduate nursing programs. "There are so many complex needs across the continuum of care—from the birth of a child to end-of-life care options, a nurse is there."

"Nurses make up the largest portion of the healthcare workforce, and we have a great responsibility to prepare nurses to help meet these complex needs in a holistic, culturally humble way.”

The MSN features three unique tracks. The adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner track prepares students to sit for the certification exam to become an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), a high-demand career field. The nursing education track qualifies students to sit for the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam and makes an excellent pathway for future DNP candidates. The healthcare leadership track is designed for nurses who are seeking high-level positions in healthcare administration, such as nursing manager or nursing director.

The DNP focuses on systems leadership at the highest level of nursing practice. Students will combine research with practice and complete coursework in healthcare finance and business management as well as healthcare policy, politics and advocacy. The DNP culminates in a three-phase capstone project.

Want to learn more about Hood’s graduate nursing programs? Email gofurther@hood.edu.

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