Direct-Entry Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs

This list of direct-entry MSN programs was updated in September 2026. If you know of an accredited program, reach out to us at info@nursinglicensemap.com.

Related Nursing Programs

• Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Programs
• Online RN-to-MSN Programs
• Online Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) Programs
• Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
• Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs
• Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Programs
• Online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs
• Online Doctorate in Nursing (DNP) Programs

Is a Direct-Entry Nursing Program Right for Me?

A direct-entry MSN may be worth exploring if you want to pursue an advanced nursing position but have a bachelor's degree in a different subject area. It's also important to have a general interest in patient care and the ability to meet the demands of the nursing profession.

As you explore different programs, pay attention to admission requirements and program expectations. Nursing programs can be highly intensive and require a large time and energy commitment. It’s important to pick an option that works for you.

Direct-Entry MSN Admissions Requirements

MSN program requirements can vary. Some schools may offer tracks to existing registered nurses, while others may not accept applicants with a BSN degree, as these programs are tailored to students without a nursing background.

Here are some of the requirements you may see as you browse through different options. According to AACN, applicants to accelerated entry-level master's programs typically hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, complete required prerequisite coursework, and meet a program-set minimum GPA, often around 3.0 (AACN). Many programs also request:

• Letters of recommendation and/or professional references
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test scores
• Written and/or phone interview with the institution
• Personal essay and/or statement of career goals

Direct-Entry MSN Curriculum

MSN programs can include a mix of nursing theory courses, hands-on activities, simulations, and clinical rotations in a real health care setting, consistent with AACN's description of entry-level master's curricula (AACN). The exact combination will depend heavily on whether you choose an in-person or online program.

Direct-entry MSN courses cover a variety of topics which may include:

• Pathophysiology
• Pharmacology
• Health care research
• Health assessment
• Fundamental nursing skills

Your coursework will teach you how to care for a variety of populations such as women, children, older adults and/or those with mental health conditions.

Once you complete the program, you may be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN. Passing the exam is a required step toward RN licensure, but each state or jurisdiction's board of nursing sets its own licensure requirements and makes the final licensure decision (NCSBN). Some universities also offer post-master's certificates for APRN careers.

Careers for Direct-Entry MSN Graduates

Direct-entry MSN programs prepare graduates to pursue RN licensure, and some go on to further advanced practice nursing preparation through additional role-specific graduate education, national certification, and state APRN licensure. As a Master of Science in Nursing, you can help improve your community's health while advancing your career. Nurse practitioners — including family, women's health, and psychiatric mental health specialties — had a median annual wage of $132,300 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

You may choose to work in a clinical setting as a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or nurse midwife. Or, you may choose to focus on a particular area of nursing like gerontology, gynecology, pediatrics, or psychiatry. Careers are also available in medical research, ethics, health education, health care law, or forensics.

Explore common career paths for individuals with their MSN degree below.

Family Nurse Practitioner

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) works with large numbers of patients throughout their lives, building a full picture of their health as they age. Similar to a primary care physician, FNPs are prepared to perform diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and develop patient treatment plans, though the scope of independent practice and prescriptive authority varies by state (NCSBN). They may work in walk-in clinics, primary care offices, hospitals, or community health centers.

Becoming an FNP requires an active RN license, completion of an accredited FNP-specific master's, post-graduate certificate, or DNP program with supervised clinical hours, and national certification, such as through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (ANCC); state APRN licensure is a separate step. Learn more about becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. You can explore on-campus and online FNP programs for students with a background in nursing.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

A women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) shares many of the same responsibilities as an FNP, but with a focus on women’s care. By specializing in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN), nurse practitioners in women’s health provide reproductive health care, health screenings, menopause education and care, preventive care, and more. They work with female or female-identifying patients in a doctor’s office or OBGYN center.

Becoming a WHNP requires an active RN license and completion of an accredited WHNP graduate nurse practitioner program, followed by national certification (NCC); state APRN licensure is a separate step.

Learn about online WHNP programs and coursework needed for a career as a women’s health nurse practitioner.

Certified Nurse Midwife

A certified nurse midwife (CNM) can provide many of the same services as a WHNP, but their work focuses on pregnant women. They may provide resources around contraception, aid in birth and delivery, and arrange postpartum care. The most common work settings for CNMs include birth centers, hospitals and offices; depending on state law, more experienced midwives may also choose to open their own private practice. Certified nurse-midwives had a median annual wage of $134,040 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Becoming a CNM requires an active RN license and completion of a graduate nurse-midwifery program accredited, or holding pre-accreditation status, from the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), followed by national certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB); state licensure is a separate step. Learn more about on-campus and online CNM programs.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

If you’re interested in applying your master’s degree in nursing toward treating people with mental health disorders, you may want to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Common work settings include inpatient treatment facilities, hospitals, and outpatient offices.

Becoming a PMHNP requires an active RN license and completion of an accredited PMHNP-specific master's, post-graduate certificate, or DNP program with supervised clinical hours, followed by national certification through ANCC (ANCC); state APRN licensure is a separate step. Explore different pathways for becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.