Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the nation’s top nursing schools by U.S. News & World Report. With a legacy of over 100 years, the school has remained committed to educating highly skilled nurse leaders and researchers. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, the school integrates scientific advancement, clinical training, and academic excellence to support improvements in health care practice and delivery.
Established in 1905, the School of Nursing currently enrolls 638 baccalaureate, over 351 master’s, 30 PhD, and 119 Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students, in addition to 15 postdoctoral fellows. The school offers cutting-edge resources, distinguished faculty, and access to over 700 clinical sites, enabling a wide range of educational and research opportunities. It is recognized as the No. 1 School of Nursing in Georgia and ranks among the top five nursing schools in the United States.
In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked the school’s BSN and master’s degree programs #1 in the nation. The DNP program was ranked 6th, and the family nurse practitioner program 5th. The school received $20 million in external sponsored funding in FY 2025, including $18.1 million in NIH research funding, ranking 3rd nationally in NIH funding among nursing schools.
Key initiatives include the Fuld Fellowship for second-career nursing students focused on palliative care; the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and related initiatives; and the Maternal and Newborn Health in Ethiopia Partnership. These programs are designed to advance scientific research and improve care practices internationally.
The school also offers a dual-degree program that combines nursing with liberal arts and other disciplines. The master’s program includes nine advanced nursing specialty tracks with clinical training opportunities. The DNP program offers two tracks—Health Systems Leadership and Community. Graduates may qualify for certification as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, or clinical nurse specialists. Joint degree opportunities are also available with the Rollins School of Public Health and the Laney Graduate School in bioethics.
The PhD program prepares students for careers in research and academia and focuses on generating evidence to improve health care quality and patient outcomes. Since 2010, PhD students have earned 15 NIH NRSA fellowships. Accelerated BSN/MSN and distance-based BSN programs are also offered for students with prior degrees.
The school has 204 full- and part-time faculty and instructors. Its global and domestic partnerships enhance the learning experience through initiatives such as international winter break placements and interdisciplinary summer programs in Georgia. The school’s network includes more than 9,000 alumni.
For more information, please contact Jessica Abrams at jessica.abrams@emory.edu