Nazareth University launches women's health nurse practitioner master's degree for in-demand jobs

The hybrid program blends mostly online coursework with limited in-person sessions

Rochester, NY (09/14/2026) — Nazareth University is offering a new hybrid Master of Science in Nursing degree for Women's Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP), designed to meet rising demand for advanced practice nurses in sexual and reproductive health. The program is the only WHNP program in the Rochester area, blending mostly online coursework with limited inperson sessions and training nurses to diagnose, treat, and educate patients through a holistic approach to women's health.

Women's health is the singular focus of Nazareth's nurse practitioner program, and instructors have extensive health experience across multiple settings, including doctorally prepared nurse practitioners certified in women's health, family care, and pediatrics.

"Women's health nurse practitioners are in high demand due to physician shortages, rising maternal morbidity, and the need for expanded access to specialized health care," said Maureen Finney, Ed.D., PA-C, president of Nazareth University. "This new hybrid master's program gives momentum to Nazareth's highly regarded College of Interprofessional Health and Human Services, expanding its offerings that already include graduate programs in physician assistant studies, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, social work, art therapy, and music therapy, as well as our bachelor of science degree in nursing programs - all with strong outcomes."

The program is ideal for registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in nursing who want to advance their careers and become nationally board-certified and state-licensed women's health nurse practitioners, equipped to provide patient-centered primary and specialized care from puberty through adulthood.

The master's degree can be completed in 21 months, and students benefit from community-engaged clinical placements with local health systems and underserved populations.

"Women's health nurse practitioners help guide patients through some of the most important moments of their lives - from routine health screenings to life-changing diagnoses, pregnancies, losses, transitions, and everything in between," said Leigh Quenasse, program director. "We know most of our students will be working nurses with full lives, so the WHNP program at Nazareth is primarily online and asynchronous, allowing students to engage with coursework on a schedule that works for them while still receiving strong faculty support and meaningful clinical preparation."

U.S. News & World Report ranks nurse practitioners as the #1 Best Job, Best Health Care Job, and Best STEM Job for 2026 - the third consecutive year it has held all three top spots. Demand for nurse practitioners is projected to grow by 46% by 2033, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, far outpacing the average for all occupations.

Research consistently shows that nurse practitioners provide highquality, costeffective care. NPmanaged care is associated with lower costs while maintaining comparable quality to physicianmanaged care.

Nazareth University

Nazareth University launches women's health nurse practitioner master's degree for in-demand jobs

The hybrid program blends mostly online coursework with limited in-person sessions

Nazareth University

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