The School of Nursing, a leader in nursing education for over 110 years, offers programs in advanced practice nursing, research and health policy. Today, students study alongside faculty members who have earned the highest authority of any advanced practice nurses anywhere. It was the first school of nursing to adopt a universal faculty practice plan, the first to award a Master's degree in a clinical nursing specialty, and the first to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

The combined degree program allows non-nurse college graduates to accelerate study in baccalaureate nursing and concentrate on master's level courses in advanced practice. The Master of Science degree program offers eleven areas of clinical specialization and six sub-specialties, encompassing primary and specialty care, and prepares skilled practitioners with the research and clinical foundation necessary for leadership in academic nursing and practice. A University Statutory Certificate program is offered to master's prepared advanced practice nurses who wish an additional area of clinical specialization. The DNSc program is a research-intensive curriculum preparing nurse scholars who are ready to conduct research in outcomes and health policy, independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams. The DNP program focuses on the clinical practice of nursing and represents the highest academic preparation for nursing practice. The School has an enrollment of approximately 580 students. Joint degree programs are offered with the School of Public Health (MS/MPH) and the Business School (MS/MBA).

The School maintains four academic research centers: The Center for AIDS Research, the Center for Health Policy, the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for International Development in Advanced Nursing Practice, and the Center for Evidence-Based Practice in the Underserved.