Investing in the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals
Announcing Expansion of the School of Nursing
Saint Peter’s University is proud to announce that the existing School of Nursing is set to become the School of Nursing and Health Professions. This strategic transition is aligned with Igniting the Mission: The Strategic Plan for Saint Peter’s University 2025–2028, its commitment to academic excellence, its quest to position the University as a regional leader in healthcare education and to promote interdisciplinary innovation.
With this expansion of our Nursing and Health Professions programs, the University is poised to broaden its educational footprint in health sciences, strengthen its value proposition, and support collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches to health education and workforce development.
It is no secret that healthcare is a rapidly evolving field. In the U.S., an aging population that is living longer will lead to a greater need for nurses and other healthcare related professions, especially as birth rates decline. As of early 2024, 18% of the U.S. population was made up of adults ages 65 and older. That is approximately 62 million people. This is estimated to grow to 23% or 84 million adults by 2054. Plus, burnout and retirement linked to the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a nursing shortage. In April 2022, Dr. David Auerbach and colleagues published a nursing workforce analysis in Health Affairs, which found that total supply of RNs decreased by more than 100,000 from 2020 to 2021 – the largest drop than ever observed over the past four decades. A significant number of nurses leaving the workforce were under the age of 35, and most were employed in hospitals.
At this critical time, Saint Peter’s University is heavily investing in our healthcare programs to innovate and respond to the changing needs of the healthcare industry. With our guiding Jesuit, Catholic values of cura personalis, or “caring for the whole person,” our students are uniquely positioned to become leaders in the healthcare industry.
Next Gen Leaders Need Next Gen Facilities: The Pope Hall Renovation
Opening for the Spring 2026 semester, Saint Peter’s University is undergoing an extensive renovation of Pope Hall to enhance both our nursing and health sciences programs by providing new, state of the art facilities. The renovation reimagines 12,000 square feet of space in Pope Hall, which will allow for nearly double the capacity of the Nursing programs. Along with updated classrooms, common spaces, seminar rooms and clinical setups is also a virtual reality simulation lab, where students will step into a virtual exam bay to work on patient interaction and care.
Programs for Next Gen Healthcare Leaders
Be a part of this exciting time at Saint Peter’s University and the future generation of healthcare leaders! Our programs are designed with outcomes in mind – ninety percent of undergraduate students participate in experiential learning, preparing them for career demands. In our nursing programs, our graduate students have a ninety percent exam pass rate. Many of our healthcare based programs also send students on trips and present research projects at conferences with faculty support to further enhance their education outside the classroom.
Request more information and be connected to a member of our Enrollment team.
Associate Degree
Radiology Collaborative Program
Start with one year at Saint Peter’s University before transitioning to two years of study at Englewood Hospital School of Radiography. Graduate with an A.A.S. degree from Saint Peter’s University upon documented evidence of successfully completing the Englewood Hospital School of Radiography program, but prior to taking the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists exam.
Undergraduate
Saint Peter’s University offers a strong Biology program with a variety of specializations, including forensic science, pre-medicine, and pre-veterinary medicine. As a Peacock in the Biology program, you will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, including a new science building with wet and dry labs, a greenhouse, and a tissue culture lab.
Chemistry at Saint Peter’s University focuses on 5 key areas – Organic, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic and Biochemistry. You’ll be guided by experts to gain a solid foundation in the principles and applications of chemistry while taking part in lab work, research and internships, all while gaining valuable experience for your future healthcare career.
Clinical Laboratory Sciences Collaborative Program
As part of a collaborative program between Saint Peter’s University and Rutgers University, you’ll complete all pre-professional and general education requirements at Saint Peter’s University before beginning the 12 to 15 month (four semesters) of clinical/professional training at the Rutgers School of Health Professions and affiliated clinical/research facilities.
Health & Physical Education and Exercise Science
Preparing students in a number of health-related fields, such as kinesiology, physical therapy, fitness and community recreation, this program helps students develop a plan for their intended exercise science career path with close guidance from faculty and a network of experienced mentors.
In this joint program between Saint Peter’s University and Rutgers University, students take four semesters of coursework offered at Saint Peter’s, and four semesters plus one summer session offered at Rutgers University during the professional phase of the program. You will learn to play an integral role in the healthcare industry ensuring the safety of patient information among doctors, patients, administrators and insurance representatives.
This interdisciplinary program enables students to identify healthcare issues by integrating multiple perspectives, looking at the health-related science, and in-depth social, economic, and political aspects of health and healthcare delivery.
At the undergraduate level, Saint Peter’s offers two options – a traditional, four year bachelor’s degree program or our RN to BSN program, designed for registered nurses with a diploma or associate degree from an accredited nursing program.
The Pre-Med/Pre-Dental Program is designed to assist students who are interested in attending medical or dental school after graduation from Saint Peter’s University. The Health Career Advisor assists students in choosing their academic program, planning for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or the Dental School Admission Test (DAT), selecting internships or research experiences, and applying to medical or dental school. These programs are coordinated through the Department of Applied Science and Technology and the Health Careers Advisory Committee. Students participating in these programs spend three years at Saint Peter’s University in a pre-professional program (pre-pharmacy or pre-physical therapy) and then finish their professional degree at another institution in three or four additional years.
Peacocks graduate with dynamic problem-solving abilities and nuanced human understanding to positively impact society in whatever careers or advanced studies they pursue next. Above all, Saint Peter’s University faculty emphasizes guidance, compassion, and inclusive success for all Peacocks seeking to transform lives at both the individual and societal levels.
Pre-Professional Health-Related Combined Degree Programs
A number of combined degree programs are available to students through a series of articulation agreements with area colleges and universities.
Graduate
With 3 concentrations in Health Leadership, Health Education and General Studies, you’ll develop the expertise and professionalism to understand the delicate interconnectedness of our health, cultures, economics, politics and the socioeconomic disparities within our communities.
As a student in our master’s in nursing program, you will build upon the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired in your undergraduate studies and career as a registered nurse. The MSN degree program is built on three pillars: theoretical foundation to inform practice, utilization of research and specialty practice. Saint Peter’s also offers an RN to MSN Bridge program, perfect for a registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing looking to advance their career to the next level.
Industrial Organizational Psychology
When you earn an online master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology, you become an expert in understanding human behavior in the workplace. You will use your knowledge to improve organizational performance, increase employee satisfaction and reduce turnover.
MBA Concentration in Healthcare Administration
After taking all MBA core courses, pursue a concentration in healthcare administration. This unique program, available online, requires courses in financing, risk management, healthcare policies and overall administration focusing on the specific nature of the healthcare industry to give you the skills you need to work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and healthcare business support companies.
M.A. in Education Concentration in School Counseling
By completing this program and concentration, you will gain the prerequisite knowledge about counseling, but more importantly will gain the necessary background and skills to guide students beyond the pedagogical scope provided in typical counseling programs. Knowledge and skills are developed along with understanding contemporary challenges faced by today’s schools. Appropriate emphasis is placed on techniques for counseling students in general education classes as well as specialized settings.
School of Professional Studies
For adults continuing their education or a degree, Saint Peter’s offers a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in healthcare management taught by the same distinguished and caring faculty as our traditional undergraduate students.
Certificate
This certificate provides students with a solid foundation for numerous career opportunities in a variety of health care settings. Students will also gain knowledge in healthcare finance, management and ethics.
Post-Master’s Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this online certificate program is designed for MSN prepared nurses looking to specialize in adult-gerontology through courses focusing on family systems, assessment and diagnostics.