Catholic University of America Nursing School Review

The Catholic University of America (CUA) was established in 1887 by Catholic bishops under Pope Leo XIII and is the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States of America. Undergraduate education was first begun at the Catholic University of America in 1904 and now the school offers 12 schools and 21 research facilities. Catholic University is located near Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

CUA offers ecclesiastical facilities and offers degrees in canon law, philosophy and theology. There is also a Theological College at the Catholic University of America, which offers education in the priesthood. CUA is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and several disciplinary accrediting orgranizations depending on the school.

The School of Nursing offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing that involve studies in health policy, research and clinical practicum at a variety of healthcare institutions. The School of Nursing at the Catholic University of America offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN), and master’s degree programs (MSN) in nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist offerings. Catholic University is also home to a Doctor of Nursing Practice option (DNP) and a Doctor of Philosophy program (PhD).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Catholic University of America is intended for individuals who are just starting their career in nursing. There are two ways to enter the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, the Basic Program and the Second Degree Program. The Basic Program is for individuals who do not have any prior baccalaureate education and the Second Degree Program is for individuals who already hold a baccalaureate degree, and wish to begin studying nursing for the first time. There is also a Bridge to Practice Model, for students who already have certain medical and surgical clinical experiences. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the District of Columbia Board of Nursing. Individuals applying to the Bachelor of Science program, must complete specific prerequisites and complete certain math requirements before being admitted to the nursing program.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing Program at the Catholic University of America is for students who wish to further their career in nursing as a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advanced Community or Public Health Nurse Specialist or a Nurse Educator. Students can attend the Master of Science in Nursing on a part-time or full-time basis, as many students continue to be employed while taking the course. The Master of Science in Nursing program has several program options; Nurse Specialist Specialty Option in Advanced Public/Community Health Nurse, the Nurse Practitioner Program in Adult, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in primary care of combined acute and primary care. The Master of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice is for individuals who already hold their undergraduate and masters education in nursing and wish to specialize in advanced nursing practice. The focus of the Doctor of Nursing Practice is on clinical studies.

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Program (PhD)

The PhD program at CUA prepares individuals to be nurse scientists and is incredible research driven. The program is 70 hours in length and 24 of those hours may be transferred over from master’s degrees. The credits in the PhD program are taken from courses in science, philosophy, research and support courses. Individuals must hold a statistics course at the graduate level, and if they do not have this, it must be taken during the course in the first semester. The program must be completed in five years on a full-time or part-time basis, and a dissertation must be completed by the end of study.

Contact:
The Catholic University of America
620 Michigan Avenue, N.E.
Washington, DC 20064