Overview
UAB, a city within a city covering seventy-four square blocks, was established in 1969 as an autonomous university within the University of Alabama System. It now serves as one of the nation's top-ranked universities in research support, higher education, and the provision of world-class health care. The School of Nursing is one of six schools in the UAB Academic Health Sciences Center. The master's program was established in 1955, and a Ph.D. in nursing was implemented in fall 1999. The Doctor of Science in Nursing program is being phased out. The School of Nursing was ranked fifteenth by U.S. News & World Report among more than 200 graduate nursing programs in the nation and is one of nine World Health Organization Collaborating Centers for International Nursing in the United States.

The total number of students enrolled in master's study in nursing is currently about 200. Doctoral students number about 50. A wide variety of academic, ethnic, national, and international backgrounds and life circumstances are represented among these students. About two thirds of master's students are enrolled full-time; approximately one half of doctoral students are enrolled full-time. The School of Nursing seeks qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Master's graduates hold positions as nurse practitioners in the health-care delivery system in both urban and rural settings, in institutional and community sectors, and in acute- and primary-care divisions or as nursing administrators, executives, outcomes managers, case managers, clinical nurse specialists, or quality review managers. Doctoral graduates are employed in academic or health-care delivery settings and serve as leaders and scholars.

The Location and Community
UAB is a comprehensive institution in Birmingham, an exciting, growing city in the foothills of the Appalachians and an urban center of great natural beauty. The hospitality of the people and the temperate climate complement a wide variety of educational offerings, cultural and entertainment activities, and sporting events. Health care and education have replaced heavy industry as Birmingham's economic base, and UAB is now the city's leading employer.

Programs of Study and Degree Requirements
The School of Nursing offers graduate studies leading to the Master of Science of Nursing (M.S.N.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in nursing. The master's program educates baccalaureate-prepared nurses for advanced nursing practice as adult-health clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners (NP), nursing and health-care administration, or for positions dealing with quality and outcomes measurement in health systems. Primary-care nurse practitioners may focus on one of the following areas: adult nursing, family nursing, palliative care, pediatric nursing, and women's health nursing. Students in adult nursing may elect further concentration in occupational health or oncology. Students selecting acute care and continuing care as their practice area must concentrate their advanced study in adult or neonatal nursing. Adult acute-care NP students may select an area of focus such as cardiovascular, neuroscience, or trauma nursing. Clinical experiences and support courses that complement the focus area are determined for the individual student's program of study and are based on availability of experiences and courses. Students may also select an individualized study M.S.N. option. In addition, a coordinated M.P.H./M.S.N. degree offering between the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health is available; this degree allows the student to complete the master's degree in nursing jointly with the public health offering in maternal-child health, international health, or health behavior. Post-master's study for M.S.N. graduates who are seeking nurse practitioner preparation is available in primary or acute care. Master's graduates who have clinical specialization preparation may focus on adult, pediatric, or family nursing. A certificate program is also available that focuses on teaching in nursing. The doctoral program educates nurses as scholars and researchers and focuses on one of two areas: health status and function of individuals and communities or families and caregivers. The Ph.D. curriculum includes 26 credits of core courses, 9 to 16 credits of focal area support and elective courses, 6 credits of mentored research practicum, and at least 18 credits of dissertation research. The usual length of the entire Ph.D. program is four years.

Facilities & Resources
The School of Nursing houses a state-of-the-art Center for Nursing Research (CNR), which promotes research in nursing and supports the research goals of the School and the University. The CNR provides office, work, and conference space for research activities and a research suite for clinical nursing research. The research suite includes examining rooms, utility space, wet laboratories, and a video suite. Services provided to faculty members and graduate students through the CNR include assistance and consultation for all phases of the research process, research funding, and research dissemination. In addition to the School of Nursing's resources, strong collaborative relationships exist with many other research centers across campus, including the Center for Health Promotion, the Center for Aging, the Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Civitan International Research Center. Numerous health-care facilities on the UAB campus provide opportunities for clinical nursing research. In addition, School of Nursing faculty members provide health screening services to City of Birmingham employees and are involved in health-care research in the community.

Expenses and Aid
The cost of tuition is $291 per semester hour for Alabama residents and $688 per semester hour for out-of-state residents. Additional fees (such as professional nursing tuition and student services) are levied on a per-semester-hour basis, and others (such as building, student health, online courses, and liability insurance fees) are levied on a per-term basis. In addition, an annual fee is charged for hospitalization insurance. Certain other special fees are billed for such circumstances as applying for admission and graduation. Tuition and fees are subject to change at the beginning of any term.

Financial Aid / Scholarships and Fellowships
Fellowships are available to graduate students, doctoral students, and students at the UAB Academic Health Center. When professional nurse traineeships funds are available and students are eligible, these supplementary funds provide support for tuition and fees for master's and doctoral students. Additional sources of support include scholarships from the Alabama Board of Nursing, the School of Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau; National Research Service Awards for predoctoral nursing fellowships; and part-time employment.

Housing/Living Expenses:
UAB offers a number of reasonably priced apartment units for on-campus residence, including Hixson Hall, a dormitory facility adjacent to the School of Nursing. The Housing Office also provides information on off-campus housing. For information, students can contact the Housing Office (1604 Ninth Avenue, South; telephone: 205-934-2092). Since there is a waiting list, students should apply early for on-campus housing.

How to Apply
Complete official transcripts, GRE scores, and references and interviews are required of all applicants for graduate study. All applicants for graduate study should contact the UAB School of Nursing Student Affairs Office, 1530 Third Avenue, South, School of Nursing Building, Room 105, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1210. M.S.N. and post-M.S.N. application materials must be received by May 31 for fall admission. Ph.D applicants should contact UAB Graduate School, 1400 University Boulevard, Hill University Center Room 511, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1150. Ph.D. application materials must be received by January 15 for first review for fall admission. The deadline for second review of Ph.D. applications for fall admission is June 1. Other deadlines are available upon request.

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