The basic degree that provides entry level into the field of nursing is the Associate of Science in Nursing. Generally offered at technical colleges in Georgia, it can also be earned at a two year college like Georgia Perimeter College. Located in Clarkston this school requires 35 hours of general education along with 36 hours in the Professional Curriculum for Nursing. Other schools that offer associate degrees include Athens Technical College in Athens, Augusta State University in Augusta and Middle Georgia College in Cochran, among others.
Several schools offer a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. This degree is similar to most Bachelor Degree programs in that the students takes general education courses for two years including prerequisites for nursing. The last two years concentrate on the student's major, which is nursing. The student with this degree must take the same exam to be licensed like the associate degree holder. This degree does offer more employment opportunities. An example of a Georgia school offering this program is Georgia South Western State University. It offers the four year program along with an accelerated program for students who have a Bachelor Degree in a non-nursing field.
The Masters of Science Degree awarded in Georgia is for those nurses with a Bachelor of Science Degree who desire to move beyond the regular field of nursing. There are several types of Masters Degrees, as evidenced by the School of Nursing at Kennesaw State University located in Kennesaw. One Masters Degree is the Nurse Practitioner Program. This prepares students to be family nurse practitioners in a clinical setting. Another Masters Degree in Nursing Education Leadership equips the students for placement teaching nursing. Kennesaw's third Masters Degree in Health Policy Track is designed for nurses who want administrative or leadership positions in healthcare.
For nursing desiring leadership positions in education and healthcare or research opportunities, the Doctorate of Nursing Science Degree represents the pinnacle of nursing education. Besides Kennesaw State, another school in Georgia offering the Doctoral Degree is Emory University in Atlanta. Its Doctoral Program in 2010 was ranked among the nation's best programs by the National Research Council.