South College Pittsburgh adds aesthetics to master’s level nursing program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 26, 2026
South College has added optional aesthetics courses to its Master of Science in Nursing with Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) program, offering comprehensive instruction in cosmetic treatments such as Botox and filler, along with business operations insight.
“The healthcare sector is a major part of Pittsburgh’s job market and skilled practitioners are needed in multiple fields, including aesthetics,” South College Pittsburgh and Online President Dr. Anne Petrella said. “We strive to provide a high-quality education for our graduates that can lead to rewarding professional opportunities, and aesthetics is a growing market, especially as the population ages.”
Students who are residents of Pennsylvania can enroll now in MSN-FNP with Aesthetics. The track adds a quarter of study to the program, including three specialty courses that provide professional training in Botox, dermal filler, laser therapy, facial peels, platelet rich plasma injections, IV nutrition and weight loss management.
The quarter involves three months of didactic online training in legal, regulatory and ethical standards in aesthetic practice; facial anatomy, assessment and treatment planning; neuromodulator and dermal filler pharmacology; aesthetic facial mapping and patient consultation; complication prevention, recognition and management; documentation, informed consent and post-care protocols.
Throughout the program, all students have the opportunity for an immersion experience at a clinical site. The advanced FNP expertise can lead to enhanced professional opportunities and a better overview of business operations for anyone interested in starting an aesthetic practice.
“Medical facilities need nurses who are well trained in aesthetics and prepared to enter the workforce with hands-on clinical experience,” said Kaitlin Cobourne, PhD, RN, CNE, CNEcl, associate dean of graduate nursing in the School of Nursing. “By connecting FNP aesthetics to an advanced degree, we are equipping graduates with additional skills and positioning them for a range of professional opportunities.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers as a nurse practitioner are expected to grow by 36% across the country from 2025 to 2035 with median pay at $134,920 per year or $64.87 per hour.
Located in Pittsburgh’s North Hills community in Cranberry Township, the South College campus offers a variety of healthcare programs, including Nursing Surgical Technology, Health Science (Pre-Nursing), Radiography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Respiratory Therapy, Practical Nursing, Sterile Processing and other related programs.
Interested students may call the admissions team at 724-209-7934 or visit south.edu/pittsburgh.
South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and through Competency-Based Education (CBE).
To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 22,000 students and is proud of its more than 25,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; Orlando, Florida; and Columbus, Ohio, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.