SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University and SUNY Canton are partnering to give North Country nurses a way to earn their advanced nursing degrees.
Representatives from both colleges recently signed an agreement allowing Upstate Medical’s College of Nursing to offer its doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree remotely through SUNY Canton’s Margaret D. Sovie School of Nursing.
SUNY Canton President Zvi Szafran said the new arrangement will present “more opportunities” for area nurses to advance their careers, per the Upstate announcement.
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“We created this partnership to help address the critical shortage of highly trained and expert nurses in our immediate area,” Szafran said in the Upstate news release. “As an added benefit, it elevates the prestige of our nursing program and will offer more advanced degree options for our graduates.”
Upstate’s DNP degree is for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and others who play a “pivotal role in the future of health care.” It prepares a candidate for future leadership, health policy, and advocacy roles, “emphasizing” interprofessional practice and information technology, Upstate said.
“We’re pleased to partner with our SUNY Canton colleagues to offer this important degree program to area nurses,” Tammy Austin-Ketch, dean of the College of Nursing at Upstate Medical University, said. “The doctor of nursing practice degree program provides nurses with opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in preparation for leadership positions in a rapidly changing health care field.”
SUNY Canton will offer learning and teaching space for students in Upstate Medical’s DNP program. Previously, students would have to travel or commute to Syracuse to participate in the program, Upstate noted.
Upstate will access SUNY Canton’s distance and online learning strengths to provide classes.
Upstate Medical will offer classes at Canton on an as-needed basis to DNP students from the North Country area. To apply to the program or to view its requirements, please visit Upstate Medical’s College of Nursing website.


