Earn Your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The most common master’s degree in nursing program is the standard two-year master’s program at a graduate university or at a teaching hospital. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is typically a 18- to 24-month program that allows a nurse to specialize in a particular area, such as healthcare administration or an area of advanced clinical training or research. In some cases, nursing students may take on joint degrees in related fields such as business administration, public health or psychology.

Prerequisites for Earning an MSN

Students typically attend MSN programs after they complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing program, obtain an RN license, can provide minimum GPA and GRE scores and document at least one or more years of experience in a clinical environment. However, there are some alternatives to this method of obtaining an MSN. Some programs allow a nurse with an ADN to earn his/her bachelor’s and master’s degrees within a single curriculum. Programs also are available that accept graduates from non-nursing backgrounds. Each school has its specific requirements, so make sure to check with those schools before applying.

How to Get an MSN

There are several ways to obtain an MSN, both online and on campus. For instance, the RN-to-MSN program is a popular choice among many nursing students. RNs who possess an associate’s degree in nursing and who want to earn an MSN immediately after earning their BSN usually can do so upon acceptance within a program. Courses then can be tailored to the nurse’s specific needs, so there is no overlap in courses from the BSN to the MSN.

One choice for non-nursing students includes the direct entry MSN programs, also known as “graduate entry” or “master’s entry” programs. These programs are design for individuals who have obtained a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Credit is given for liberal arts requirements, which allows the student to complete an abbreviated schedule of undergraduate nursing course work before moving directly into the graduate nursing program. This program, therefore, typically takes three years to complete. However, some institutions may require an RN licensure after the first year.

A variation of the direct entry MSN is the “accelerated” MSN, which allows nursing students to complete the MSN within two years. Usually a high GPA provides the student with the open door to this fast-track option.

Careers Available After Obtaining an MSN

The nurse who completes the MSN degree can find a broad variety of careers waiting upon graduation. Most of these careers are not available to undergraduates, as they are specialized and often represent leading roles within a hiring institution. Often these employers will require certifications for any given specialty to prove the potential employer’s skill and expertise. In this case, many post-master’s certification programs are available to help secure your status as an expert in your field. These certifications are available only to those nurses who have completed an MSN program.

Find a Nursing Degree

Top 10 Online Nursing Schools

LPN to BSN RN to BSN	Indiana State University — LPN to BSN and RN to BSN. Indiana State offers concentrations in the areas of family nurse practitioner, nursing administration, and nursing education.
BS in Nursing MSN - Acute Care	Liberty University — RN to BSN Degree and MSN Degree. The Department of Nursing at Liberty prepares students for baccalaureate level nursing, putting strong emphasis on Christian ethical standards and viewing nursing as a ministry of caring.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN - Nurse Administration More...	Kaplan University — Bachelor's, and Master's Nursing Degrees. Kaplan's School of Nursing offers specializations for nurse administrators and nurse educators.
RN to BSN MSN - Nurse Education MSN - Nurse Leadership More...	Grand Canyon University — BS in Nursing (BSN) and MBA/MS in Nursing. Grand Canyon University offers a unique MBA/MS in nursing degree program that teaches students about the business aspect of healthcare, specifically nursing healthcare. Current nurses who want more business experience will find this may be an ideal fit.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing Nursing Healthcare Certificate More...	University of Phoenix — BSN, MSN, and Certificate. The University of Phoenix is the nation's largest online university and currently offers several nursing programs at three different degree levels, based on previous nursing education and experience.
RN to BSN MSN - Nurse Educator PhD - Nurse Educator More...	Capella University — BSN, MSN, and PhD in Nursing Education. Capella prides itself on being an accredited online college. With its nurse education programs, Capella offers two levels, master's and PhD. Either is optimal for the working nurse who wants to enter a role as educator in the field.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN BSN to MSN More...	Walden University — M.S. in Nursing (RN Track), M.S in Nursing (BSN Track). Walden offers a wide variety of nursing degrees and certificates that are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
MSN - Adult Nursing MSN - CNS/Educator MSN - Nurse Administrator More...	University of Cincinnati — Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN). The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing prepares its nursing students for working with 21st century healthcare technologies to improve patient quality and administer healthcare procedures.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing MSN - Nurse Education More...	South University — RN to BSN and MS in Nursing. The nursing programs at South University prepares its student for professions in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and school health clinics.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing	Chamberlain College of Nursing — MSN and BSN. Because of the Web-based education that Chamberlain provides, students are able to earn their nursing degree at their own pace. From Chamberlain, students can choose from either a bachelor's degree level or master's degree level, depending on previous experience.
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