The UCLA School of Nursing ranked 10th in the nation for its master’s programs in nursing, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2004 edition of America’s best graduate schools. For the first time, the school’s nursing-administration specialty also ranked in the top 10.

“We are thrilled that our academic peers regard the curriculum, faculty and graduates of the UCLA School of Nursing in such high esteem,� said Dean Marie Cowan. “This is a wonderful honor.�

A two-year course of study, UCLA master’s of science in nursing (M.S.N.) curriculum prepares graduates for careers in advanced clinical practice or nursing management. The program prepares nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and nurse administrators in a variety of specialties, including acute care, family practice, gerontology, neuropsychiatry, occupational and environmental health, oncology, and pediatrics.

The UCLA nursing-administration graduate program also ranked in the top 10. The goal of the two-year specialty is to prepare advanced-practice nurses in organizational theory, health services and financial management for leading administrative roles within acute care, ambulatory care and community-based settings.

“Our nursing-administration graduate degree prepares nurses to enter important leadership roles in a growing spectrum of settings, such as administration, occupational health and risk management,� said Donna McNeese-Smith, program coordinator and associate professor of nursing.

Curriculum content focuses on finance, strategic planning, project management, leadership, quality improvement, risk management, human-resource management, quality improvement, education and research. Students may pursue electives at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management, School of Public Health, or School of Public Policy and Social Research. Courses are available on campus and online.

For more information about the UCLA School of Nursing, see www.nursing.ucla.edu.