nursing students

The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis prepares successful leaders in health care. As one of the only graduate nursing schools committed to activating change where it’s needed the most, we go beyond clinical education with programs that provide graduates with the skills, confidence and vision to be change agents on many levels and with many different titles.

The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis was established in March 2009 through a $100 million commitment from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The school is part of UC Davis Health and located on the academic health system campus in Sacramento, California. UC Davis Health is a hub of innovation that encompasses UC Davis Medical Center, UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Davis Medical Group. Together, we work toward a future where health and well-being are open, accessible and equitable. We do this through:

The School of Nursing admitted its first classes in fall 2010. Currently, we offer four graduate degree programs led by the Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate Group, an interprofessional team of more than 50 faculty members from disciplines including nursing, medicine, health informatics, nutrition, biostatistics, pharmacy, sociology and public health. 

The Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate Degree Programs are full-time for all five programs. Full-time students at UC Davis enroll in a minimum of 12 units per quarter. If students choose to work while going to graduate school, it is essential to have a flexible workplace that can accommodate classes, fieldwork or clinical experiences during the week and some weekends.

Read more about the history of the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing »

Our graduate-degree programs

Doctor of Philosophy
This full-time, academic doctoral program prepares graduates as leaders in health care, health policy and as nurse faculty/researchers at the university level. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree.

Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner
This post-baccalaureate nursing program prepares advanced practice providers to engage in patient- and family-centered, evidence-based primary care and promote optimal health, well-being and health equity across populations and the lifespan.

Master of Health Services — Physician Assistant Studies
This program prepares graduates to deliver care as physician assistants. A primary goal of the physician assistant program is to improve the availability of culturally relevant primary care to underserved populations and educate clinicians to deliver care as a member of a health care team.

Master’s Entry Program in Nursing
This full-time program prepares graduates to deliver care as registered nurses. Graduates of the program are qualified to take the national licensing examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses, eligible for certification as a Public Health Nurse. They earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree.