This interdisciplinary program caters to professionals seeking to bridge the gap between healthcare and criminal justice, offering specialized knowledge in areas like forensic nursing, victim advocacy and mental health within the justice system. No GRE required.
Application Deadlines
- July 1, 2026 (for Fall Semester start)
- Jan. 5, 2026 (for Spring Semester start)
To receive acceptance into the online MSN/MS Dual Degree program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed. A minimum of 1 year of nursing experience is required, a strong candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
- Hold a BSN and a be a graduate of an accredited college or university’s nursing program (the College of Nursing will verify accreditation to ensure it meets requirements). Transfer credits are accepted only from regionally accredited institutions.
- An undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better is required for admission.
- Applicants who do not have a BSN (BS in Nursing) cannot be accepted into the online MSN programs but should consider the MSN direct entry as a second degree – MIDAS Program.
- A strong applicant will have a 3.0 GPA.
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.
- Free Online Application
- Get Started on Xavier University’s free online application. You can begin the process in just a few clicks.
- Official Transcript
- One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
- Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131 - For electronic transcripts, send to:
xuadmit@xavier.edu
- Xavier University
- One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
- Current Resume and Personal Essay
- Current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining all professional nursing experience, including facility/organization name & location, position and employment dates.
- A 3-page goal statement that addresses the following points:
- Why are you applying to Xavier University?
- What MSN track are you applying for and why? How do you plan to use the degree and specialty?
- What experiences have prepared you for graduate study? (or have influenced your desire to pursue graduate studies)
- Graduate school is challenging and a large time commitment, especially with working, family, other responsibilities. What are your plans and strategies for being successful in your graduate program?
- We also consider the writing quality of this essay. If writing is a challenge for you, also address strategies to help you in this area.
- 3 Professional References
- 3 professional recommendations, (Please provide contact information for recommenders in the online application. An electronic form will be sent via email). A strong candidate will provide:
- At least reference from a direct manager or supervisor who evaluates their clinical work.
- Two references will be from someone with a masters or doctoral degree
- 3 professional recommendations, (Please provide contact information for recommenders in the online application. An electronic form will be sent via email). A strong candidate will provide:
- Personal Interview
- A personal or phone interview may be required for the MSN/MS Dual Degree program.
State Authorization
Due to state regulations regarding the delivery of distance education, as well as requirements of each individual state board of nursing, Xavier is not currently able to accept applications from all states into all of its online programs.
View the complete list of approved states on the State Authorization page.
The program’s core classes revolve around three major themes: critical systematic inquiry, professional and personal development, and management of information and resources in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. In these courses, you develop a stronger understanding of the policies, ethics and theoretical foundation of the nursing practice while also diving into more technical aspects like nursing research, health care informatics and epidemiological methodologies.
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 Choose Xavier’s Dual MSN/MS in Criminal Justice Program?
Our online programs offer 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.
By pursuing these two degrees simultaneously, you don't just save time; you gain a competitive edge. You’ll develop a unique lens to view public health through the framework of criminal law and vice versa.
At Xavier, 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 MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the premier accrediting agency for nursing programs.
Dr. Collins teaches online courses covering forensic nursing principles and psychosocial legal aspects.
Dr. Jonson's goal is to shape compassionate leaders who understand the human impact of their decisions within the criminal justice system.
FAQ
Our groundbreaking dual MSN/MS in Criminal Justice degree program streamlines your academic journey and accelerates your professional growth as a nurse and criminal justice professional. Learn more.
To ensure we provide the highest-quality nursing education, our online MSN program 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 online MSN program.
At Xavier, we take your education seriously and strive to offer the most comprehensive, up-to-date instruction and curriculum we can. Not only does this create a vibrant, skill-focused learning experience, but it also positions you to excel in the workforce upon graduation and make a meaningful contribution to the larger health care community.
No, Xavier awards your dual MSN/M.S. in Criminal Justice degree based on your ability to meet coursework standards, regardless of course delivery mode. Whether your program is in person or online, you earn the same 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 or post-master’s certificate programs here (Education, FNP, Forensics) require nursing licensure in any state, but it is a prerequisite for admission to these programs.
The role of the forensic nurse emerges at the crossroads of the healthcare field and the justice system and is essential in caring for those who have endured violent and/or traumatic crimes and in legal proceedings.
While they commonly work in hospitals, forensic nurses can work with non-profit organizations, be on call for law enforcement or work in correctional facilities. With their unique skill set, they may also work in coroner’s offices as death investigators, responding to accidents and suspicious deaths, collaborating with detectives, examining bodies, and taking tissue and blood samples.
Additionally, nurses with advanced forensic science and criminal justice training may serve as legal nurse consultants. They can be independent contractors or employed by law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and health care facilities, working on civil and criminal cases and using their criminal justice degrees and clinical experience to review medical records, legal documents and medical literature.
Lastly, forensic nurses can work as educators. They can partner with law enforcement and human services to speak to community groups about sexual assault, domestic violence, community resources, law enforcement and victim assistance services.
MSN/MS in Criminal Justice - Dual Degree Program at Xavier University
Earn two graduate degrees in one groundbreaking program with Xavier University’s 100% online MSN / M.S. in Criminal Justice. As one of only 17 forensic nursing programs in the nation, we provide the specialized expertise needed to excel as a legal nurse consultant, forensic psychiatric nurse, or nurse coroner. Gain a world-class education at the crossroads of nursing science and U.S. law—entirely on your schedule.
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."