Today, well over 7,000 baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral students have graduated from Rush University College of Nursing. The first bachelor’s and master’s degrees were awarded in 1975, the first doctor of nursing science degree was awarded in 1980 and the first practice doctorate was awarded in 1990.Current nursing programs are offered from the master’s through the doctoral (DNP and PhD) levels. The last baccalaureate class graduated in June 2009. The generalist entry master’s (GEM) is the prelicensure program for entry into RN practice. Students are automatically members of the Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Nurses Alumni Association upon graduation.