[Profile of the demand for stricto sensu graduate programs offered by the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing].

This study aimed at describing and analyzing the profile of the demand for stricto sensu graduate programs--master and doctoral degree offered by the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto College of Nursing from 1975 to 2002. Data were collected through the records of the students enrolled in the programs. The sample consisted of 979 students: 210 from the Psychiatric Nursing Program, 375 from the Fundamental Nursing Program, 203 from the Public Health Program and 189 from the Interunit Doctoral Program. The majority were women, married, with an average age of 32 years (master) and 38 years (doctoral). 93% were nurses. 60% came from universities and 25.6% from health services. 11.3% were not working, besides the ones that recently graduated. 71.2% were from the South East of Brazil, 9.8% from the South, 6.9% from the Central-Western region, 6.8% from the North East and 18% from the North. The foreign students correspond to 3.4%. Findings reinforce the graduate policies adopted by the college with respect to expected student profile.