Be at the forefront of the nursing discipline by earning your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Forensic Nursing from Xavier University. We are proud to be one of 17 universities in the nation to offer a forensic nursing program. In our groundbreaking online MSN in Forensic Nursing program, you gain advanced clinical knowledge while also specializing in forensic nursing science. No GRE required.
Xavier accepts applications to our MSN programs on a rolling basis. Once admitted into the program, you may start online classes in the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Application Deadlines:
- July 1 (for Fall Semester start)
- 1 (for Spring Semester start)
- April 1 (for Summer Semester start)
To receive acceptance into the online MSN - Forensic Nursing program, you must meet the following requirements: The admission committee considers all information contained in the admission application, including prior grades, test scores and evidence for potential for success in graduate study. No admission tests (i.e. GRE) are required for applying to this graduate nursing program. Applications are processed immediately upon receiving all required materials.
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
xuadmit@xavier.edu
To learn more, review the complete list of approved states on our Professional Licensure site.
The online MSN – Forensic Nursing program at Xavier University consists of 37 credit hours, including
- 20 credit hours of nursing core courses
- 11 credit hours of forensic courses
- 6 credit hours of synthesis/application courses including practicums and a scholarly project.
The MSN program’s core courses strengthen overall nursing practice. You’ll explore advanced theoretical and ethical frameworks, health care policy, and nursing research methodologies while developing leadership and management skills. Courses include: The forensic nursing track deepens your understanding of the criminal justice system, the social and psychological effects of violent crimes, and the role of forensic nursing in civil and criminal investigations. Online Synthesis and Application Courses (6 credits)
Tuition
- MSN..............$739
Fees
- Liability Insurance (per semester with practicum)..............$18
- Student ID Fee..............$15
- Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time..............$15 (per semester)
- Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time..............$10 (per semester)
For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
Why Xavier’s Online Master’s Degree in Forensic Nursing?
Our 100% online MSN in Forensic Nursing program offers a flexible learning format, so you can receive an Xavier education wherever you are. Additionally, our program utilizes mostly asynchronous courses, so you don’t have set weekly classes to attend.
This training you receive in our online nursing program prepares you to provide comprehensive health care to patients who have experienced trauma and collect evidence for legal matters that can be used by law enforcement and in court to prosecute perpetrators.
At Xavier Online, you learn from the best — no matter where you are. You’ll get the personal attention and flexibility needed to reach your goals at your pace. Our invested professors and small class sizes will set you up for success.
Xavier’s online Master of Science in Nursing - Forensic Nursing track is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the premier accrediting agency for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. The Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) has also approved the program.
Hear From Our MSN Students
With a Master's of Science in Forensic Nursing at Xavier University I got confidence, I got opportunity, and by opportunity I'm a leader in the nursing field.
Xavier University Forensic Nursing Graduate
My mentors, as well as my peers, genuinely cared about my success. I learned the skills necessary to transform my career, and even after I left, the Xavier community has still been there for me, to answer questions or give advice
Xavier University Forensic Nursing Graduate
I was able to work full time, manage a family, and have a life outside of school while taking classes online. I loved that my professors cared for me as a student but also as a peer.
Xavier University Forensic Nursing Graduate
Collins teaches online courses covering forensic nursing principles and psychosocial legal aspects.
At Xavier, we’re proud to have our MSN program as one of only 17 online programs in the U.S. to be endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC).
We also offer a Post Master's Certificate in Forensic Nursing
Already have your MSN? Xavier’s a 15-credit-hour online Post-Master’s Certificate in Forensic Nursing provides experienced nurses with advanced-level preparation in the principles of forensic nursing.
FAQ
Emerge at the forefront of the Forensic Nursing field. Earn your online MSN degree in Forensic Nursing at Xavier University. Learn more.
Xavier’s online Master of Science in Nursing - Forensic Nursing track is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the premier accrediting agency for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. The Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) has also approved the program.
As a CCNE-accredited program, we offer a high-quality graduate nursing education rooted in trustworthy pedagogical principles and a rigorous curriculum. Through the instruction you receive, you undergo essential professional development and gain the skills needed to advance your nursing career.
No. The master’s of science in nursing degree is from Xavier University and is awarded on meeting coursework standards that are independent of course delivery mode. Participants will earn an MSN degree.
Participation expectations vary by professor. Courses are asynchronous with no set meeting times; however, practicum and scholarly project courses may include an online synchronous session (at the discretion of the instructor) at the end of the semester for student sharing/collaboration purposes. The nursing administration and faculty in this program understand the importance of flexibility for working professionals.
None of the MSN programs or post-master’s certificate programs here (Education, FNP, Forensics) offer nursing licensure in any state, but it is a prerequisite for admission to these programs.
The online MSN-PMHNP program is a 2-3 year program. It is possible to attend part time.
As a forensic nurse, you primarily work with patients who have endured violent trauma, such as intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual assault and neglect. You take a trauma-informed approach to providing patient care and are well-trained in collecting evidence, assessing injuries and documenting findings, which is instrumental in legal proceedings. As a result of your careful work, you advocate for victims, uphold ethical standards of care and promote public safety.
There are many different forensic nurse jobs for which aspiring forensic nurses can plan a long-term career. Below are some of the many clinical practice options available for those in an advanced practice nursing profession:
- Forensic Psychiatric Nurse: A forensic psychiatric nurse, commonly called an FPN, is typically in charge of evaluating individuals in need of psychiatric evaluations, which are commonly court-ordered. FPNs are also sometimes responsible for evaluating and treating criminals in an institution or correctional facility who may be mentally ill.
- Legal Nurse Consultant: Legal nurse consultants are registered nurses who use their expertise and special training in the medical field to consult on various health care system-related legal cases.
- Forensic Gerontology Specialist: A forensic gerontology specialist typically works to help investigate cases involving the abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly people. These nurses also work to raise awareness regarding legal and human rights issues the elderly often face and routinely work in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities dedicated to senior care.
Online MSN - Forensics Track Program at Xavier University
Pursue your Master of Science in Nursing degree - Forensic Nursing online at Xavier University and graduate at the cutting edge of the nursing field. With your clinical knowledge and understanding of civil and criminal investigations and legal matters, you can make a positive impact on those who have experienced trauma and uphold justice in your community.
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."