This is the entry point to the MSN for registered nurses with a BSN and for registered nurses with a bachelor's degree in another field who enter under the educational mobility option. Registered nurses without a bachelor's degree who have successfully completed prerequisite and bridge courses continue their education at this point.
Graduates of the MSN program are prepared to assume professional leadership roles that encompass educational, consultative and managerial functions and to design and establish delivery services in response to health care policy changes. Due to the program's endorsement by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation (AHNCC), graduates are eligible to sit for the holistic nurse certification examination.
General Information
The MSN curriculum requires a minimum of 36 semester hours, 10 of which are in elective courses. Students can either customize their plan of study to meet their personal goals by selecting a minimum of ten semester hours of graduate nursing electives from among the various tracks (General Studies) or select all electives from one track. Courses are held at the main campus with some courses video-conferenced to partner sites.
Course Scheduling
Each course generally meets once per week in the late afternoon or early evening. Classes are held several evenings per weekday and are scheduled such that it is often possible to take two courses in one late afternoon/evening. Choose part-time or full-time study.
Search Classes to get an idea of when courses are offered. Not all courses are offered all semesters and some courses are sequential. Admitted students work with their advisor to ensure a viable plan for program completion,
Application and Admission
Rolling admission is offered for each fall, spring and summer semester.
Further admission information and how to apply >>
Opportunities for Study
Click on the links below for more information on the each track and its required courses. Access the left navigation link for the general MSN curriculum and for the list of required elective courses for each track.
- Administration (10 sem. hrs. - 36 total)
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)* (14 sem. hrs. - 43 total)
- Education (11 sem. hrs. - 37 total)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)* (28 sem. hrs.- 47 total/600 clinical hours)
- Forensics (10 sem. hrs. - 36 total), 100% online
- Health Care Law (10 sem. hrs. - 36 total)
- Informatics (10 sem. hrs. - 36 total)
- Customized MSN (General Studies) (10 sem. hrs. - 36 total)
- Dual degrees* (MSN/MBA, MSN/MEd/nursing-graduate-programs/MSCJ)
*Additional restrictions and requirements apply. See the CNL and FNP web pages for details.
Post-master's Certificate programs for CNL and FNP are available to qualified RNs with an MSN.
Information sessions are generally scheduled twice in the fall semester and twice in the spring semester. Prospective students are notified by email as dates are set. As sessions are scheduled, they are posted here.