College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Graduate Faculty and Fields of Interest

Avery-Desmarais, Shannon, DNP Program Director, Assistant Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-C, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Specializations: LGBTQ health, minority stress in LGBTQ nurses and gerontology.

Brisbois, Maryellen (Chairperson, Community Health) Associate Professor, Community Nursing, PhD, PHCNS-BC, University of Massachusetts Worcester. Specializations: Breast cancer, health disparities, global health, student exchange, chronic illness, vulnerable populations, quality of life, uncertainty.

Chin, Elizabeth (Chairperson, Adult Nursing) Associate Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, University of Massachusetts Worcester. Specializations: COPD, self-management, symptom management, qualitative methodology, learning differences.

Desroches, Melissa Assistant Professor, Community Nursing, PhD, RN, CNE, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Specializations: Developmental disability nurse and a nurse educator.

Duprey, Melissa, MS Program Director Clinical Associate Professor, Community Nursing, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, Walden University. Specializations: Benefits of simulation in preparing nurses, innovative/experiential technology in nursing education, incorporating HPS into nursing curriculum, preparation of future nurse educators.

Elliott, Kathleen, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Track Coordinator/Clinical Coordinator, Clinical Associate Professor, Adult Nursing, DNP, ANP-BC University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Specializations: Substance use disorders, nursing education, and primary/urgent care.

Horowitz, June Andrews, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, New York University. Specializations: Family mental health, perinatal/ postpartum mental health disorders-specifically postpartum depression, mother-infant interaction, neurophysiologic markers for depressed mothers and their infants, intervention research, mixed methods research.

Hunter Revell, Susan M Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, University of Rhode Island. Specializations: Adult health, theory, spinal cord injury, technology in the classroom.

Leseure, Pim Assistant Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, University of Missouri. Specializations: Diabetes care and prevention.

McCurry, Mary, PhD Program Director, Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RNBC, ANP, ACNP, Boston College. Specializations: Adult Acute Nurse Practitioner, family caregivers, Opiod Use Disorder, stigma, theory and philosophy, nursing education.

Schuler, Monika Associate Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, CNE, Northeastern University. Specializations: Role development, Substance Use Disorder, stigma and nursing education.

Seney, Valerie PMHNP Track Clinical Coordinator, Assistant Professor, PhD, MA, LMHC, PMHNP-BC, Endicott College, Specializations: mental health caregivers, mental health nurses, psychiatric nurse burnout related to stress, emotional response to restraints of pediatric patients.

Sethares, Kristen Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, CNE, FAHA, FHFSA, Boston College. Specializations: Adult health, chronic cardiac illness, self-care of illness, metacognitive learning strategies, quantitative research methods.

Sosa, MaryBeth Assistant Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Specializations: Adult health, cardiac critical care, physical activity promotion.

Tyo, Mirinda Assistant Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, RN, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Specializations: Family caregives, opiod use disorder, reslience, stigma.

Viveiros, Jennifer Associate Professor, Adult Nursing, PhD, CNE, RN, University Massachusetts Dartmouth. Specializations: Memory, cognitive impairment, education, heart failure.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UMass Dartmouth offers the following graduate programs: the Master of Science (MS) degree in Nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Nursing.

The Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs at UMass Dartmouth are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, N.W. Suite 655 K Street, Washington, DC 20001 (202-887-6791).

The outcomes of the Master of Science (MS) in Nursing program are to:

Integrate, translate, and apply established and evolving disciplinary nursing knowledge, as well as knowledge from other disciplines to the practice of advanced specialty nursing.
Integrate person-centered care that is culturally congruent, holistic, just, respectful, compassionate, coordinated, and evidence based.
Apply the principles of public health prevention and disease management and evaluation to populations with both traditional and non-traditional partnerships from affected communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others to shape care delivery to individuals, families, groups, and populations across the lifespan.
Evaluate, synthesize, translate, apply, and disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health, transform health care, and guide nursing practice.
Implement established and emerging principles of safety and improvement science as core values of nursing practice to enhance quality and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
Engages in intentional collaboration with care team members, patients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to promote health, guide clients through the illness experience, and improve the health system.
Apply systems-based practice to influence health policy and care in the proactive coordination of resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care.
Utilize information and technology processes in gathering data and forming information to drive decision making in the support of professional nurses to manage and improve the delivery of safe, high-quality, and efficient healthcare services in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards.
Cultivate a professional identity that embraces integrity, accountability, compassion, altruism, courage, humility, inclusivity, and caring that exemplifies professional nursing.
Participates in activities that build resilience, support personal health and wellbeing, and foster personal, professional, and leadership development through lifelong learning, self-reflection, the acquisition of nursing expertise, and the assertion of leadership.

The outcomes of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing program are to:

Integrates, translates and applies established and evolving nursing knowledge, ways of knowing and multidisciplinary knowledge as a foundation for advanced nursing practice.
Implements person-centered care, defined as caring, holistic, equitable, respectful, evidence-based and developmentally appropriate care, to reduce risk and improve health outcomes.
Collaborates across the healthcare delivery continuum, in public and private sectors, to provide equitable public health prevention measures and disease management to improve population outcomes for the community of interest.
Synthesizes, translates, applies, and disseminates nursing knowledge to improve health and transform health care.
Leads the implementation of quality and safety initiatives and the evaluation of outcomes that promote system effectiveness and individual performance to enhance care and minimize risk of harm to patients and providers across the healthcare system.
Collaborates with interprofessional team members, patients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and improve outcomes.
Demonstrates organizational and systems leadership to deliver high quality, safe, and equitable healthcare to diverse populations.
Integrates informatics and healthcare technologies to gather data, form information to drive decision making, and support professionals as they expand knowledge in the delivery of quality and compassionate care, in accordance with best practice and professional and regulatory standards to patients, communities, and populations.
Cultivates a sustainable professional identity framed by accountability, collaborative disposition, and comportment that reflects characteristics and values of advanced nursing practice specialties.
Exemplifies leadership skills through self-reflection and activities that foster personal well-being, contribute to lifelong learning, and support the acquisition of expertise at the advanced nursing practice level as an advanced practice nurse and leader.

The outcomes of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing program are to:

1. Develop the science of nursing by conducting and disseminating theory guided research in the chronic illness experience and nursing education.

2. Integrate research, teaching, mentoring, and service to the organization and/or profession.

3. Contribute to the development of future nurses through discovery, application, and integration.

General Graduate Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the required application materials to the Office of Graduate Studies & Admissions. These include:

Application form (name, address, program to which seeking admission, etc.)
Application fee
Official transcript reflecting either a Bachelor of Science of Nursing (B.S.N.) degree from an accredited nursing program or a baccalaureate degree in a related program (see Graduate Admission Program for RNs with a Non-nursing Baccalaureate Degree). For PhD applicants MS in Nursing or related field. Official transcripts of any other undergraduate or graduate work must also be submitted.
Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.000 or higher in undergraduate study.
Two letters of recommendation. These should include 1) references from the dean, chairperson, or faculty member of the student’s undergraduate program if recently graduated and 2) a reference from the current or a recent employer. Letters of recommendation should be solicited from individuals capable of evaluating the applicant’s potential for academic success, commitment to nursing or quality of practice.
Statement of Purpose. The admission process in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences attaches weight to this statement. Candidates should give considerable thought to the aspects of (a) professional development and areas of expertise; (b) professional goals; and (c) appropriate “fit” between applicant’s goals, background and the degree sought.
Writing sample. (Not required for Nursing MS or DNP applicants.)
Professional resume.
Pre-admission interview may occur.
Evidence of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the United States. (or another region if PhD applicant)
Minimum one (1) year of experience as a registered nurse. (Not required for Nursing MS, and may be waived for DNP applicants upon request and review.)
Consult the College of Nursing and Health Sciences web site for program application details and deadlines.

For admission to the PhD in Nursing degree, the following additional requirements apply.

For BS-PhD applicants, BS minimum GPA of 3.5. MS-PhD applicants, MS minimum GPA of 3.3.
One of these two degrees (BS or MS) must be from an accredited nursing program.
Master’s level courses that include exposure to theory and research, and a course in multivariate statistics. For BS-PhD applicants, these will be completed in the program.
If possible, at least one of the two recommendation letters should be from a doctorally-prepared faculty member who is familiar with the applicant’s academic work and capacity. The recommendations should address the applicant’s ability to do graduate work, and potential to advance the discipline of nursing through scholarship.
The Statement of Purpose and research interest should include a typed two-part essay. In the first part (up to 250 words), give your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate study. In the second part (up to 1,000 words), indicate your research interests and goals for doctoral study.
All applicants are encouraged to submit supporting credentials (curriculum vitae or resume) with their applications.
An example of scholarly writing (for example, a peer reviewed publication or a paper from school).
Applicants must be registered nurses but do not have to be registered in MA to complete the program.

Graduate Admission Program for RNs with a Non-Nursing Baccalaureate Degree

RNs who hold a BA or BS in a related, non-nursing field may be considered for admission to the MS, DNP or PhD Program in Nursing. Related fields include psychology, sociology, anthropology, biological areas, and health services. Other fields of study will be evaluated on an individual basis.

All other admission requirements to the program must be met. Students completing the program are awarded a Master of Science degree in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice or PhD in Nursing degree. No Nursing BS degree is awarded. During this program, students complete a portfolio to demonstrate expected undergraduate nursing outcomes. They also take one 3-credit graduate level course in nursing, NUR 503 (Transitions for Advanced Nursing Practice), prior to enrolling in other graduate courses.

Financial Assistance

Graduate students are eligible for financial aid, such as loans or work study. Eligibility is dependent upon income. Applications are available from the Office of Financial Aid on the first floor of the Foster Administration building. Please refer to the chapter on “Expenses and Financial Assistance.”

A limited number of teaching assistantships are available. Teaching assistants work with department faculty for 10- 20 hours a week and are compensated with a stipend and tuition/partial fee remission. Teaching assistants might assist in direct supervision of foundational clinical experiences or support faculty teaching responsibilities. Part-time teaching assistantships are available depending on the needs of the department (10 hours per week).

Research assistantships become available as faculty are awarded scientific or program grants. Announcements of the requirements will be posted on the web site, or faculty will directly contact students who have demonstrated interest and skills in the research area. You may wish to make your field of interest known to faculty.

A limited number of scholarships are available to nursing graduate students. Additional funds are traditionally available through memberships in the following organizations. While small in amount, these awards tend to be readily available and require minimal application data. Explore all options that might pertain.

District State Nurses Association–MNA, District III, etc.

Sigma Theta Tau Chapter–Theta Kappa or your original chapter

Specialty Nursing Organizations–Oncology; Critical care; Emergency room

Alumni Organizations–Particularly diploma schools

Organizational Affiliations–Hospitals; parent corporations; local communities

Specialty Categories–Black Nurses Association

For students preparing for the faculty role (Nurse Educator MS option and PhD), funding may be available on an annual basis if the Nurse Faculty Loan Program award was received in the College. This is a loan-forgiveness program that must be renewed annually. MS and PhD Program Director scan provide more details.

Contact

June Andrews Horowitz, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
508-999-8251
jhorowitz @umassd.edu

Shannon Avery Desmarais, PhD, RN, AGPCNP-C
DNP Program Director
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
508-910-6598
savery@umassd.edu

Melissa Duprey, Ed.D, MSN, RN, CNE
MS Program Director
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
mduprey1@umassd.edu

Mary McCurry, PhD, RNBC, ANP, ACNP
PhD Program Director
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300
508-910-6092
mmccurry@umassd.edu

Information sessions for the graduate Nursing program are conducted regularly. Contact us at 508-910-6487 or visit us online at http://www.umassd.edu/nursing/graduateprograms