Second Master’s in Nursing Degree

POLICY:

An applicant who has a master's degree in nursing may elect to earn a second master's degree in nursing.

Applicants must follow the application processes and meet the admission criteria outlined in Policies 280 and 371.

A student's progression is governed by the academic requirements outlined in policy 206, and the health and liability requirements in Policies 364 and 370.

The second master's degree student may be required by their area of concentration to take all, or part of the master's comprehensive examination administered by the MSN or DNP Council.

The second master's degree student must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in the master’s program at the University of Pittsburgh and satisfy the core and specialty area of concentration course requirements for the second master’s degree.

PROCEDURE:

1. The academic advisor/area of concentration coordinator designates credits from the first master’s degree that will be accepted for advance standing credits towards the second master's degree. (A ten-year restriction may not apply to core courses). This process should be done prior to the student registering as an admitted student for the first time. (Refer to Policy 224)
2. Students whose first master's is from another institution follow the procedure of Policy 224. A complete Course Credits Accept Form is submitted to the Center for Student Success. The Center for Student Success posts the approved transfer credits to the student’s academic record.
3. Students whose first master's is from the University of Pittsburgh follow the procedure of Policy 225. The faculty advisor highlights the courses being accepted on the student's previous academic record and states the equivalent course name, numbers, and credit hours in the current program. This document is submitted to the Center for Student Success. The Center for Student Success notes the advanced standing credits for the registrar at the end of the student’s program.