Direct Entry MSN Degree (MIDAS Program)

Overview
Xavier University’s accelerated second degree direct entry Master of Science in Nursing program (MIDAS) is an in-person program designed to prepare students who have bachelor's degrees in non-nursing fields of study to become registered nurses—no BSN required.
Xavier’s Direct Entry MSN degree program offers comprehensive training, paving the way for you to become a registered nurse. Learn how to provide expert care and patient advocacy through clinical experiences and rigorous courses in ethics, psychiatric nursing, family nursing, adult medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology and more.
Admission
Xavier offers admission to the MIDAS program on a rolling basis. The program starts each fall, but students can apply year-round. Early applications are encouraged, especially for prerequisite guidance. Once materials are submitted, our committee will review and decide.

MSN MIDAS applicants must have:

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Completed the specified prerequisite courses by the start of the MIDAS program.
  • ALL Official transcripts from ALL colleges/universities attended.
  • An updated résumé.
  • An essay outlining the key points that are noted in the instruction page of the online application.
  • Three professional references.
  • Official TOEFL Scores required for International Applicants

Admission Timeline:

  • Once all materials are in our committee will review and make a decision.
  • Decisions are released on a rolling basis.
  • A $300 non-refundable deposit is due within three weeks of the release of your decision.

International students are not eligible for admission at this time.

Please note: A past felony or misdemeanor conviction may result in disqualification for the state licensure examination (as outlined in Section 4723.28 of the Ohio Revised Code).

Along with holding a bachelor’s degree, you must complete the following courses to gain admission to the accelerated MSN degree program:

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II lectures and labs *
  • Microbiology lecture *
  • Statistics

*Science prerequisites must be completed within the last five years. A statistics course that is over five years old will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Strong candidates should earn a minimum of a B in all prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses must be completed at a regionally accredited college or university, meet certain content requirements and be completed before the start of Xavier's fall semester.

If you have questions regarding your prerequisites, the College of Nursing can offer advice regarding your status for completed courses and guide the selection of prerequisite courses needed.

Curriculum
The curriculum for Xavier’s MIDAS program builds upon your previous non-nursing-related experiences by equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to provide quality, patient-centered care.

Integrating both traditional, didactic coursework and clinical practicums, the accelerated MSN program trains you in a range of disciplines, including family and adult nursing, pharmacology, pathophysiology and psychiatric nursing. You receive thorough training in the theoretical foundations of nursing, research methodologies and the ethics of the nursing profession.

Additionally, each semester, you participate in practicums designed to hone your clinical skills and put your classroom knowledge into practice. These immersive learning experiences are integral to your development as a medical professional and help you make vital connections within the field.

Lastly, to refine your nursing approach, you undergo professional development courses that strengthen your management skills and leadership approaches and help you better understand the diverse populations you serve as a healthcare worker. 

Fall

  • NURS 550 - Nursing Perspectives I............ 3cr.
  • NURS 501 - Theoretical Bases for Nursing Practice............ 3cr.
  • NURS 502 - Nursing Research............ 3cr.
  • NURS 552 - Art and Science of Nursing............ 4cr.
  • NURS 553 - Art and Science of Nursing Practicum............ 2cr.
  • NURS 554 - Essentials of Pathophysiology............ 3cr.

Spring

  • NURS 560 - Nursing Perspectives II............ 3cr.
  • NURS 562 - Art and Science of Family Nursing............ 4cr.
  • NURS 563 - Art and Science of Family Nursing Practicum............ 2cr.
  • NURS 564 - Art and Science of Adult Nursing............ 4cr.
  • NURS 565 - Art and Science of Adult Nursing Practicum............ 2cr.

Summer

  • NURS 650 - Art and Science of Advanced Nursing............ 6cr.
  • NURS 651 - Art and Science of Advanced Nursing Practicum............ 3cr.
  • NURS 652 - Art and Science of Psychiatric Nursing............ 2cr.
  • NURS 653 - Art and Science of Psychiatric Nursing Practicum............ 1cr.
  • NURS 654 - Advanced Pharmacology............ 2cr.
  • NURS 656 - Advanced Pathophysiology............ 2cr.

Fall

  • NURS 750 - Nursing Perspectives III............ 3cr.
  • NURS 864 - Epidemiologic Methods in Health Care............ 3cr.
  • NURS 752 - Community Nursing/Public Health Policy............ 4cr.
  • NURS 753 - Community Nursing/Public Health Policy Practicum............ 2cr.
  • NURS 754 - Management Concepts............ 3cr.

Spring

  • NURS 850 - Nursing Perspectives IV............ 3cr.
  • NURS 500 - Health Care Ethics for Nursing Leaders............ 3cr.
  • NURS 857 - Leadership Practicum & Scholarly Project............ 6cr.
  • NURS 854 - Advanced Informatics............ 3cr.
Tuition and Fees
At Xavier, we understand that pursuing your graduate degree is a major investment, and we’re here to support you through financing your MSN.

With competitive tuition rates and a full range of financial aid offerings and resources, you can earn your degree affordably.

Tuition

  • MSN..............$704

Fees

  • Liability Insurance (per semester with practicum)..............$18
  • Nursing Program Fee (charged annually)..............$520 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree seeking full-time..............$15 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree seeking part-time..............$10 (per semester)

The amounts listed are for the 2024-2025 academic year, and include classes from Summer 2024 through Spring 2025. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated. For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.

Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.

100%
NCLEX Pass Rate (2024)
20
Month Program
All for One. One for All.

Find more information about how you can become a Musketeer.

Program Features

Perfect for career changers

Change careers with confidence. With our 100% NCLEX pass rate among graduates (Class of 2024), Xavier's MIDAS program offers a accelerated path to a new field, giving you the skills and credentials you need to succeed as a nurse in under two years.

Learn in leading-edge simulation labs

In preparation for clinical experiences, nursing students begin their studies in Xavier's state-of-the-art clinical simulation laboratories. Using human patient simulators, students participate in challenging, real-life scenarios, which empowers them with the applied skills and confidence to care for real patients.

Excellent preparation for the NCLEX

By the end of the program, you’ll be awarded a MSN degree and be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Exam-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam. You’ll also be prepared to sit for the Holistic Nurse Certification (HNC) and the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification Examination upon passing the NCLEX exam.

Gain expertise through clinical rotations

We maintain close agreements with more than 30 healthcare agencies in the Cincinnati region. Through this expansive network, our nursing students receive some of the top-tier clinical placements of any nursing school in Ohio.

Faculty Spotlight
Terri Enslein, EdD, MSN, RNC-OB, CNE

Having previously worked as a labor and delivery and NICU nurse, Enslein often incorporates community needs into her courses, covering important topics like Hamilton County’s historically high rate of infant mortality.

Explore
More Graduate Nursing Programs

Xavier University's graduate nursing programs are designed to meet you where you are in your career. Explore more Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs and graduate certificates offered through the College of Nursing.

FAQ

Xavier's Master of Science in Nursing MIDAS program offers a fast-track pathway to a rewarding career in advanced nursing. Learn more.

Yes. To ensure our nursing students receive comprehensive and up-to-date training, Xavier’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN). Proudly, Xavier University is one of only 17 schools endorsed nationally by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC).

Any individual with a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing is eligible to apply. Applicants come from a variety of backgrounds including biology, business, chemistry, criminal justice, education, liberal arts, psychology and theology. Common characteristics of applicants include a strong desire to work with others, critical thinking skills, leadership ability, maturity, as well as a desire to learn and meet new challenges in a rigorous, fast paced program of study. The variety of majors and educational backgrounds provides for interesting perspectives and dialogue within the program. Students in this program range from recent college graduates to established careers professionals. Some individuals have advanced degrees.

Xavier University’s accelerated second degree direct entry Master of Science in Nursing program (MIDAS) is an in-person program. Classes will be held at Xavier's campus in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The program requires 20 months of full-time study (five semesters fall/spring/summer/fall/spring). Part-time study is not an option for the program. For the specific start date for the upcoming academic year, consult the Xavier University Academic Calendar.

Direct Entry MSN Program (MIDAS) Program at Xavier University

Xavier University’s accelerated MSN program helps you make the career switch to nursing by delivering intensive training, hands-on experience and professional development. At the end of the program, you graduate ready to enter the healthcare industry and provide holistic care to patients of all backgrounds. Build your clinical skills and become a part of promoting community health and wellness by enrolling in Xavier’s direct entry Master of Science in Nursing program.

Xavier University’s College of Nursing prepares undergraduate and graduate students as professional nurses to meet the needs of diverse populations in an ever-changing, highly technical health-care environment. Graduates have the skills to practice nursing today and to be nurse leaders tomorrow in holistic health-care delivery with an educational foundation grounded in Jesuit values. Our graduates are well-respected in the health-care community as knowledgeable, professional, and ethical and prepared to excel in meeting challenges in health-care delivery. Xavier’s Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation.

Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."