Explore 20+ Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs—Find the Best School for You

Things to Consider When Choosing an Online School

Accredited MSN programs offer convenient ways to earn an advanced nursing degree online, such as accelerated BSN-to-MSN programs, RN-to-MSN bridge programs, entry-level master’s degrees and RN-to-APN programs. An MSN degree requires a set of core classes plus electives or specialty-focused courses and hands-on clinical hours.

Goals

Are you hoping to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)? Do you consider yourself a leader? The answers to these questions may help you develop your goals for earning an online MSN degree. All APRN licenses across the United States require a graduate-level degree. Earning your MSN degree may help prepare you for APRN positions. An online MSN program may be flexible enough for you to pursue a graduate degree while still maintaining your current employment.

Schedule

If your time is limited due to career obligations, an online MSN degree program may be dynamic enough for you to earn your degree during your free time. Some MSN online programs incorporate asynchronous learning, which means that you learn on your own time. However, live classes may also be integrated. Full-time and part-time enrollment options are available at most MSN programs for students to create schedules that meet their needs.

Program Length

Full-time MSN online programs are likely to be completed within two years, part-time within four years. Be sure to check requirements for nursing licensure in your state with your preferred university.

Clinical Hour Experience

All accredited online MSN programs will require some level of clinical experience hours. Each university that offers an online MSN program has varying hours, mostly depending on concentrations available. CCNE-accredited programs will have a clinical hours requirement that is often a part of your nursing licensure, once you complete your program.

Potential Earnings and Jobs

Because U.S. states require a graduate degree for APRN careers, consider what that job outlook is for your state. For some APRN careers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 13% more nurse anesthetist positions, 11% more nurse midwives and 52% more nurse practitioner jobs.

Skills Obtained From an Online MSN Program

When enrolling in an MSN program online, you may already have specific medical/nursing skills. According to the CCNE-accredited program standards, you will likely learn more about core courses such as advanced physiology, advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, and population-focused or state-focused coursework.

The skills you obtain from an online MSN program may prepare you for a career as a nurse practitioner. According to an O*NET report, nurse practitioners have skills in:

• Active learning
• Critical thinking
• Judgment and decision-making
• Service orientation
• Systems evaluation
• Negotiation

If you are hoping to become a nurse practitioner, you may want to pursue further education. Currently, nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are required to have completed a master’s degree in nursing in order to begin practicing. However, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has stated that by 2025, the education requirement for entry-level nurse practitioner positions will shift to a doctoral degree.

A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is the highest practice-based degree in the nursing field. The curriculum of DNP programs often builds upon master’s in nursing coursework, focusing on evidence-based practice and quality improvement. Most DNP programs require applicants to hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing or a related field, according to the CCNE DNP Essentials (PDF, 163KB). The skills and education you gain from completing an MSN program may help you succeed as a DNP student.

Education Requirements for Online MSN Degree

Acceptance into an online master’s in nursing program typically requires:

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing higher education program.
• GPA of 3.0 to 4.0.
• Current, unrestricted U.S. or a National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) registered nurse (RN) license.
• Active, unencumbered RN license for the state in which the student’s clinicals will be conducted.
• Letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, and high school or GRE transcripts may also be required.

Curriculum for Online MSN Programs

The core curriculum for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online may include courses in advanced physical assessment, ethics, healthcare quality, safety and regulatory management, pharmacology, research and evidence-based practice, healthcare delivery systems and policy, information systems, transcultural theories, and disease prevention.

Along with the core curriculum, online MSN programs allow students to specialize in a specific area of study, such as administration, public health or informatics. Specializing in a practice is a sure way to set the course for a career in in-demand nursing fields.

Is an Online Master’s in Nursing Right for me?

The Institute of Medicine’s landmark report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” states that building a culture of lifelong learning and competency-building is essential for nurses as healthcare becomes more complex.

With nursing and doctor shortages, and nurses aging out of work, nurses with master’s degrees are urgently needed to serve as primary care providers, managers and leaders, educators, researchers, clinicians, case managers, specialists (especially in geriatrics, informatics, public health, and quality and safety), and policy and public consultants.

MSNs are uniquely qualified to change, design, innovate and implement evidence-based practice. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), nurses with MSN degrees earn higher salaries and increased respect from administrators, physicians and fellow nurses.

An online master’s in nursing degree is a graduate-level academic program that typically requires a BSN degree, an unencumbered RN license, and may be completed in two to three years. However, the AACN also notes there are RN-to-MSN bridge programs, accelerated master’s programs, and dual-degree programs. Similar to an online MSN program, some bachelor’s in nursing programs can also be completed online, such as online BSN programs.

RN-to-MSN or APN programs require courses to bridge the gap between an associate and graduate degree. Bridge courses may include topics such as research and evidence-based practice, health assessment, informatics, statistics, population health/epidemiology, leadership in clinical settings, nursing theory and scientific inquiry.

Additional Nursing Programs

While an online MSN degree program may be right for some students, there are opportunities to further specialize in different career paths in nursing. Consider the following programs:

• Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Online Programs
• Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Online Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Programs
• Online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs Online

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

If you have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing but are ready to switch fields, a direct-entry MSN program may be on your radar. These programs are designed for students who want to attain a graduate nursing degree with an undergraduate degree in a different discipline. In a direct-entry MSN program, you’ll earn a BSN before becoming a registered nurse. After gaining work experience as an RN, you’ll complete the requirements for an MSN degree.

RN-to-MSN Programs

Also catering to those with nontraditional educational backgrounds are RN-to-MSN programs. If you’re an RN with an associate degree in nursing, an RN-to-MSN program enables you to take a step toward becoming an APRN in less time than if you went back to school to complete a bachelor’s degree first. Keep in mind that a number of programs require applicants to have at least one full year of work experience as an RN before applying to the RN-to-MSN program.

Post-Graduate Nursing Certifications

Nursing certificates may help you to grow your education after completing a master’s degree. They often focus on particular areas of practice within the nursing field, preparing students to earn certification for that speciality. Obtaining certificates may help you advance your nursing career by strengthening your knowledge in certain focus areas and displaying your specialized skill set to potential employers.

Unlike online MSN programs, which are full-length degree programs, nursing certificate programs may be completed within a year or two and tend to be more specialized. The length of your post-graduate certificate in nursing may vary by institution and speciality.

What Are the Application Requirements?

The requirements for obtaining a post-graduate nursing certificate vary widely depending on what type of certificate you are pursuing and what school you are attending. Since post-graduate certificates supplement your graduate education, most programs may require students to have completed a master’s degree in nursing before applying.

Certain certificate programs may also require academic transcripts, letters of reference, submission of a resume, a personal interview and proof of active licensure. Information regarding specific requirements can often be found on the website of the school administering the certificate program. For some speciality certificate programs, schools may require that students have previous work experience in that field or that they have completed specified coursework.

What Type of Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates Are Offered?

Post-graduate nursing certificates are offered for numerous specializations within the nursing field. Some common post-master’s nursing certificates include:

• Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Online Programs
• Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs
• Online Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Programs
• Online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Programs Online

The types of nursing certificates available vary from school to school, but with many schools offering nursing certificate programs online, it’s likely that you’ll find a certificate program that matches your career goals and fits into your schedule. Keep in mind that details such as length of program and curriculum may vary based on the school’s particular requirements.

Program Accreditation

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits online Master of Science in Nursing programs. The CCNE is recognized as a national accrediting agency for bachelor’s, graduate and residency programs in nursing. Programs and schools of nursing may also be regionally accredited by agencies such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. However, some states may require a CCNE-accredited degree.

Scholarship Options for Nursing Students

There are numerous options for nursing student scholarships. Some states offer scholarships for nurses pursuing education locally such as the California School Nurses Organization’s graduate scholarship for school nurses. There are also options for undergraduate, graduate and minority students, and opportunities to apply for grants and fellowships. Most states also offer a loan repayment program for healthcare professionals. Be sure to check with your university, state organizations and state health departments for more information.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.