The Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (PHSSN) functions within the structure of an educational consortium consisting of Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University. The PHSSN faculty accept the underlying philosophy and objectives of the consortium universities that young men and women be educationally prepared in a manner that promotes the development of intellectual, cultural, moral, and religious values which leads to economic self-improvement. Building upon the baccalaureate degree, master's students can concentrate in the areas of nursing education, administration, gerontology, or family nurse practitioner.