The College of Nursing and Health Professions

The Nursing and Health Professions

As the practice of medicine has become more complex with the advent of technology and new drug therapies, so has the provision of health services. An increasingly diverse, aging U.S. population experiencing higher rates of chronic illness is demanding more service and culturally competent care. While technology improvements help provide the means to deliver safer, high-quality care, our society is facing shortages in health professionals such as nurses, mental health workers, nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, and rehabilitation science professionals. The demand for these and other skilled professionals continues to increase and is expected to remain steady well into the 21st century. There is no more vibrant a place to prepare for these kinds of meaningful, rewarding careers than at Drexel University's College of Nursing and Health Professions. The College offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in more than a dozen health care fields.

About the College

Just as the health profession disciplines have come of age, so has the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Founded in 1969 as the College of Allied Health Professions with just three degree programs and a faculty of five, the college has undergone a remarkable evolution. Today it serves more than 3,000 students with a broad array of contemporary program offerings. Along the way, it has earned widespread recognition and accreditation for the education of health professionals.

Mission and Approach

The College believes that the health care needs of today and tomorrow can best be met by professionals who have expertise in their own fields and a concurrent understanding of other health disciplines. In addition to providing a broad-based education that balances academic learning with clinical training, the University promotes collaboration among students in our College of Nursing and Health Professions, our School of Public Health, and the College of Medicine, which draws from the rich traditions of predecessors Hahnemann University and the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Teamwork is as important in academics as it is in health care. The College of Nursing and Health Professions' dedicated and knowledgeable faculty members work closely with students, providing a supportive and creative learning environment. Graduates from the College possess a wide range of experiences and the knowledge, compassion, and lifelong learning skills needed to become accomplished health care professionals.

The student body, which is diverse in age and culture, reflects Drexel University’s commitment to provide qualified students with an opportunity for advanced education. Drexel welcomes nontraditional applicants and especially encourages applications from underrepresented minorities and those interested in practicing in underserved areas.

Many of Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions programs offer flexible scheduling, making it possible for students to continue their education through part-time, online, night, or weekend study.

Accreditation

Nursing programs are accredited by NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission), CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education), and the PA State Board of Nursing.

The Couple and Family Therapy MFT degree and Post-Master's Certificates are accredited by COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education).

The Creative Arts in Therapy MA degrees in Dance/Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, and Art Therapy are approved by the ADTA (American Dance Therapy Association),the AMTA (American Music Therapy Association), and the AATA (American Art Therapy Association), respectively.

The Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

The Professional Physical Therapy (DPT) program is accredited by CAPTE (Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education).

The Physician Assistant program is accredited by ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant).