The Hunter College School of Nursing offers a 42-credit Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program leading to a master of science (MS) degree. The program prepares nurses to assume an advanced practice nursing role as an adult-gerontology CNS in a variety of health care settings, from acute care to home care. Nurses who earn this degree are preparing themselves for advanced practice positions in medical-surgical specialties within acute care or community-based nursing services.

The program consists of 42 credits (which include the requisite 500 clinical practicum hours for specialty certification) and can be completed by full-time students in under four years. Students have five years to complete degree requirements, however, and many students earn the degree by attending part-time. Courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings. Graduates of the program meet educational requirements for specialty certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Course of Study

The program consists of nursing core courses and advanced practice courses shared with other master's level students in nursing, courses in the adult-gerontology CNS specialization, and cognate-electives. Through course work, clinical practicum placements, and carefully selected electives, students develop skills in the competencies required for the adult-gerontology CNS role. The advanced clinical practicum placements are offered in a variety of adult medical-surgical specialties. Students also have an opportunity to participate in community-based programs aimed at serving a selected target population and promoting policy changes in the health care delivery system.

Course descriptions are available in the Hunter College Course Catalog.

Nursing Core Courses (12 credits)

NURS 700    Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Science (3 cr.)

NURS 702    Advanced Nursing Research (3 cr.)

NURS 704    Healthcare Systems & Policy (3 cr.)

NURS 749    Health Promotion & Disease Prevention in Diverse Populations (3 cr.)

Advanced Practice Core (9 credits)

NURS 717    Advanced Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice (3 cr.)

NURS 750    Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics (3 cr.)

NURS 751    Advanced Health Assessment (3 cr.)

Advanced Practice Specialization Courses (15 credits)

NURS 761    Clinical Leadership in Nursing I (5 cr., 167 hrs practicum)

NURS 766    Adult-Gerontology CNS I (5 cr., 167 hrs practicum)

NURS 767    Adult-Gerontology CNS II (5 cr., 167 hrs practicum)

Electives (6 credits)

Selections may be made from graduate offerings in nursing, health science, or other disciplines as applicable.

Adult-Gerontology CNS fact sheet (PDF)

How to Apply

Review our admission requirements for all nursing master's specializations. Information on the application process is available from the Hunter College Office of Graduate Admissions.

For more information, please contact Dr. Elsie Jolade, Adult-Gerontology CNS Specialization Coordinator, at ej238@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-396-7184.