Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of May 28, 2026, from the University of Huelva, publishing the curriculum of the Master's Degree in Advanced Practice Nursing in Care for Chronicity and Dependency |
|---|---|
| Publication | June 8, 2026 |
| Entry into force | June 8, 2026 |
| Universities involved | University of Huelva and University of Málaga |
| Total credits | 60 ECTS (1 academic year) |
| Category | Education |
| Verification | Council of Universities and Agency for Scientific and University Quality of Andalusia |
Graduate nurses who want to take the leap to roles of greater clinical and management responsibility now have an official verified pathway in Andalusia. The Resolution of May 28, 2026 from the University of Huelva publishes the curriculum of the Master's Degree in Advanced Practice Nursing in Care for Chronicity and Dependency, a joint degree with the University of Málaga that responds to a growing demand in the healthcare system: professionals capable of managing autonomously and at an advanced level patients with chronic diseases and dependency situations.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution publishes the official curriculum of the master's degree, which is structured in 60 ECTS credits distributed over a single academic year. The credit distribution is as follows:
| Block | ECTS Credits |
|---|---|
| Mandatory subjects | 42 |
| External internships | 6 |
| Master's Thesis (TFM) | 12 |
| Total | 60 |
The subjects in the curriculum cover the following areas of knowledge:
- Advanced clinical judgment
- Case management
- Models of care for dependency
- Research methodology
- Leadership in health teams
The degree has obtained favorable verification from the Council of Universities and from the Agency for Scientific and University Quality of Andalusia, which guarantees its official validity throughout the national territory. It is a joint degree between the University of Huelva and the University of Málaga.
Economic and operational impact
For healthcare centers and organizations in the socio-healthcare sector, the appearance of this degree has direct consequences for human resource management:
- Availability of advanced profiles: Healthcare organizations will be able to incorporate or promote nurses with formally accredited competencies in case management, advanced clinical judgment and team leadership, functions that until now were covered informally or with non-regulated training.
- Reduction of costs in chronic care: Advanced case management by specialized nurses is a proven strategy to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve efficiency in care for chronic and dependent patients, one of the largest focuses of healthcare spending in Spain.
- Staffing planning: Nursing homes, hospitals, primary care centers and home care services can plan the incorporation of these profiles from the 2026-2027 academic year, when the first graduates will be available.
For nurses themselves, this master's degree represents a pathway for professional differentiation and access to positions of greater responsibility and compensation in the public and private healthcare system.
Who does it affect?
- Graduate nurses who want to specialize in care for chronic and dependent patients and access advanced practice roles.
- Hospitals and health centers that need to fill case management and advanced chronic care profiles.
- Nursing homes and dependency care centers that seek professionals with advanced training in dependency care models.
- Home care services that manage patients with complex chronic diseases.
- Managers and directors of healthcare human resources who plan the incorporation of new professional profiles.
- Training and development departments of public and private healthcare organizations in Andalusia and the rest of Spain.
Practical example
A nurse with several years of experience in a chronic care unit at an Andalusian hospital decides to enroll in this master's degree. Over the course of one academic year, she completes 42 credits of mandatory subjects —including advanced clinical judgment, case management and leadership in health teams—, completes 6 credits of external internships in a specialized clinical setting and defends a Master's Thesis of 12 credits on a case management protocol for patients with multiple pathologies.
Upon obtaining the degree, she officially accredits advanced practice competencies verified by the Council of Universities, which allows her to apply for positions as a case management nurse or reference nurse in chronic care, roles of growing demand in regional health services and in the private socio-healthcare sector.
What should professionals do now?
- Verify access requirements: Check that you meet the requirement of a Bachelor's degree in Nursing to apply for admission to the master's program.
- Consult enrollment deadlines: Contact directly with the University of Huelva or the University of Málaga to find out the pre-registration and enrollment dates for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Evaluate work compatibility: Since the master's is concentrated in one academic year with 60 ECTS, assess whether it is possible to combine it with professional activity or if it requires a reduction in working hours.
- Plan the Master's Thesis from the start: The 12 credits of the Master's Thesis represent 20% of the total; identifying from the beginning a line of research or clinical improvement aligned with your job facilitates its development.
- Inform the HR department: If the healthcare organization co-finances training, submit the request for aid or training leave with sufficient advance notice.
Frequently asked questions
How many credits does the Master's in Advanced Practice Nursing at the University of Huelva have?
The master's degree has 60 ECTS credits distributed over one academic year: 42 credits of mandatory subjects, 6 of external internships and 12 of the Master's Thesis.
What subjects does the curriculum include?
The curriculum covers advanced clinical judgment, case management, models of care for dependency, research methodology and leadership in health teams, among other mandatory subjects.
Is this master's degree officially recognized?
Yes. The degree has obtained favorable verification from the Council of Universities and from the Agency for Scientific and University Quality of Andalusia, which guarantees its official validity throughout the national territory.
Which universities offer this master's degree?
It is a joint degree between the University of Huelva and the University of Málaga, published by Resolution of May 28, 2026.
What professional profiles does this master's degree enable?
It enables nurses to exercise advanced roles in the management of patients with chronic diseases and dependency situations, a profile of growing demand in the Spanish healthcare system, including positions as case management nurses or reference nurses in chronic care.
Official source
Consult complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-12425