Schools in Atlanta with Nursing Programs
Individuals who want to study nursing have numerous options around the Atlanta area. This article profiles three schools within 20 minutes of downtown and the undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing that they offer. Prospective students can get an overview of each school's enrollment, tuition and other important statistics through a table included later in the article. The article closes with an extensive list of other schools in the area that offer nursing programs.
- Approximately three miles from downtown, Atlanta Technical College offers a diploma program in practical nursing as well as an associate's degree program in nursing.
- Emory University, around five miles from the city center, has extensive nursing program offerings, including a bachelor's degree in nursing and an accelerated bachelor's/master's program. Graduate students can earn a Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science - Master of Public Health or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing. Emory also offers many post-master's programs in various specialty areas of nursing.
- Students can find bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in nursing, as well as a post-master's certificate program, at Georgia State University, which is at the heart of downtown.
Comparison of Schools
The following table display information that is useful to individuals who are deciding which school is their best option.
| Atlanta Technical College | Emory University | Georgia State University | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | Public, 2-year | Private, non-profit, 4-year university | Public, 4-year university |
| Total Enrollment (in 2021)* | 3,383 | 14,779 | 36,973 |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large suburb | Large city |
| Annual Tuition and Fees (2021-2022)* | $3,164 in-state, $5,564 out-of-state | $55,468 | $9,286 in-state, $24,517 out-of-state |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Any Form of Aid (2018-2019)* | 93% | 61% | 97% |
| Acceptance Rate (Fall 2021)* | N/A - open admissions | 13% | 100% |
| Retention Rate (2020-2021)* | 64% of full-time students, 45% of part-time students | 95% of full-time students, 100% of part-time students | 75% of full-time students, 43% of part-time students |
| Graduation Rate* | 44% (8% transfer-out rate) (students who began in Fall 2018) | 90% (students who began in Fall 2015) | 56% (22% transfer-out rate) (students who began in Fall 2015) |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
Atlanta Technical College
Atlanta Technical College awards Associate of Applied Science degrees, Technical Certificates of Credit and diplomas. Its programs are divided into four departments: arts and sciences, business and public service technologies, health technologies and public safety technologies and industrial and transportation technologies. The nursing programs are found in the health technologies and public safety technologies department.
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Admission to this program is competitive. Students must be at least 18 years old, hold high school diplomas or GEDs and submit their SAT/ACT scores or COMPASS/ASSET test scores. Applicants must also pass the TEAS admission test, complete the healthcare science prerequisites and pass a criminal background check. This 66-credit program includes classes in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology and surgical nursing.
Emory University
The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing houses the nursing programs at Emory University. The school staffs over 100 faculty and staff members at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Students must complete the first two years of prerequisite general education classes before they can begin the core part of the program. These prerequisite courses can be completed at Emory, Oxford College or another accredited postsecondary institution. These courses may include anatomy and physiology, chemistry, statistics and biology. During the last two years of the program, students take several clinical nursing classes in areas such as community health and families.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing
This program is for students with bachelor's degrees in non-nursing fields. The BSN program can be completed in 15 months. Before beginning the master's portion, students must obtain their state registered nursing licenses. The master's portion includes clinical experiences and can be completed in four full-time semesters.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Individuals who want to become advanced nurse practitioners in a specialty area may be interested in this program. Some of the specialty areas for this program include nurse-midwifery, women's health care and emergency nurse practitioner. The program includes classroom coursework and clinical training.
Master of Science - Master of Public Health
This program is designed for students who want to learn a nursing specialty as well as community nursing. Students must apply to the School of Nursing and the School of Public Health, and they must hold bachelor's degrees in nursing. Students who attend full-time may be able to complete the program in 6-7 semesters.
Post-Master's Programs
Students with master's degrees may want to acquire expertise in additional nursing specialties through a post-master's certificate program. Students can choose from 9 specialty areas like pediatric acute care, nurse-midwifery, adult/gerontology primary care and women's health. These programs help qualify graduates for additional certification exams.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Admission into the PhD program requires at least a BSN, three recommendations, a GRE score, a personal statement and eligibility to obtain a registered nursing license. Students can complete the program within four years. Students complete classes like statistics, nursing theory and research methods during the first year. A comprehensive exam is given at the end of the second year, and students must also present their dissertation proposals. Students work on their dissertations and complete teaching assistantships beginning in the third year.
Georgia State University
In addition to the nursing programs offered by the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, students can also earn degrees in nutrition, physical therapy and respiratory therapy.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This program has 3 tracks: traditional, accelerated and transfer. The traditional program takes three years to complete after prerequisites. The accelerated program, known as the Achieving the Curriculum Expeditiously program, is intended for students who have already completed core coursework; the program can be completed in two years. The transfer track is designed for students who are already enrolled at Gwinnet Technical College nursing program and want to transfer to GSU.
Master of Science in Nursing
The master's program includes several specialty areas for students who want to prepare for specialty certification exams. Some of the specialty areas include pediatrics, family nursing and adult health gerontology. Coursework varies with specialty, but some of the core classes that all MSN students take may cover pharmacology, health analysis and research methods.
Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing
Nurses who hold master's degrees can further specialize by earning post-master's certificates. Certificate programs are available in six specialty areas: adult-gerontology acute care, adult health gerontology, child health, pediatric acute care, family nursing and mental health.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
This program is grounded in research and doesn't have a required clinical component. Applicants need master's degrees and registered nursing state licensure. Students may take several research courses as well as classes covering epidemiology, statistics and theory. Students also complete a set of concentration courses, a comprehensive exam and a dissertation.
Other Schools
About 10 miles from Atlanta in Clarkston, GA, Georgia Piedmont Technical College has a nurse aide certificate program and a diploma program in practical nursing. A bachelor's and master's program in nursing is available at Clayton State University in Morrow, GA, which is about 12 miles from Atlanta. Kennesaw State University is located about 22 miles from Atlanta in Kennesaw, GA, and offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate of Nursing Science program.