Guide to BSN-to-MSN Online Programs

While the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) notes that BSN qualifications are increasingly prized in a profession that’s getting more sophisticated every year, many are looking to sharpen their talents even further. More focused than BSNs, MSN degrees may provide nurses the chance to specialize across a number of healthcare fields.

Learn more about BSN to MSN programs below:

• Online BSN-to-MSN Programs
• What is a BSN to MSN?
• What can I do with a BSN to MSN?
• Should I pursue a BSN to MSN online?
• What are the requirements to be admitted?
• What will I learn from a BSN to MSN?
• BSN-to-MSN Program Accreditation
• Related Nursing Programs
• FAQs About BSN-to-MSN Online Programs

Online BSN-to-MSN Programs

Many BSN-to-MSN programs are offered online or in a blended classroom/online format, in both part-time and full-time formats — which may be a viable option if you’ve just graduated with a BSN degree or you’re an active professional who would like to keep working as you learn.

What is a BSN-to-MSN?

A BSN-to-MSN program allows nurses who have already completed a BSN to transition on to an MSN, as the curriculum builds on a student’s existing nursing knowledge. A BSN-to-MSN program may help you hone your teamwork or leadership skills, sharpen patient outcomes at your workplace, or — through the role- and population-specific coursework, national certification and state licensure each role requires — prepare you to work as a nurse practitioner or other advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

What can I do with a BSN to MSN?

After earning your MSN via a BSN-to-MSN program, you may be able to pursue a career as an APRN, such as a nurse practitioner or family nurse practitioner, or in a related advanced role such as Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) — a distinct master’s-prepared role that AACN does not classify as an APRN. Requirements for APRN licensure will vary by state, so be sure to check with your state of licensure for more information.

BSN-to-MSN training may also be a stepping stone to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or career in teaching. Where you end up largely depends on your nursing career ambitions.

Should I pursue a BSN-to-MSN online?

Designed with your existing BSN qualifications in mind, BSN-to-MSN programs are built to help you move past basic material and into more specialized, graduate-level coursework. Many BSN-to-MSN programs are delivered online or in a blended classroom/online format, which may make it easier to keep working while you study — and if you’re working in a hospital or clinic, you may even be able to apply what you’re learning on the job.

Earning an MSN may open the door to higher-paying advanced practice roles, though pay always depends on role, specialty, employer and location. Earning an MSN degree, as mentioned, may prepare you for a career as a nurse practitioner or other APRN career — note that entering nurse anesthesia practice now requires doctoral-level, not master’s-level, education for new students. Moreso, some nursing programs are even offered online, such as online MSN programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual wage in May 2025 was $132,300 for nurse practitioners, $134,040 for nurse midwives and $236,590 for nurse anesthetists — occupational figures that are not broken out by academic degree.

What are the requirements to be admitted?

As the name implies, getting into a BSN-to-MSN degree program typically requires you to have already completed a BSN program and hold an active RN license. Beyond that, specific requirements vary widely by institution — many programs ask candidates to submit materials such as a personal statement, letters of reference and official transcripts, and a minimum undergraduate GPA is common, though the exact threshold differs by school. Some programs may also require particular professional qualifications or evidence of work experience in a certain field. Check with your prospective schools for their exact admission criteria.

What will I learn from a BSN-to-MSN?

Because they vary so much by institution and concentration, it’s difficult to say exactly what you’ll learn in an online BSN-to-MSN degree program. In general, MSN coursework builds on your existing BSN preparation and moves into more specialized, graduate-level content in your chosen concentration — which may include leadership, informatics, education or a direct-care advanced practice role, depending on the program. What you focus on day to day will depend heavily on which concentration you choose.

Apart from exploring what courses different institutions offer, you should also investigate how they organize their teaching. Some will go for synchronous instruction, meaning students and teachers will meet for video lectures and seminars at prearranged times. If you prefer more of a traditional classroom atmosphere while studying, this method might cater to that.

On the other hand, asynchronous instruction means materials will be put online for students to work through in their own time. If you value flexibility and can’t commit to logging in at particular times, this style may be suitable for you. Be aware that some MSN programs may combine synchronous and asynchronous teaching.

BSN-to-MSN Program Accreditation

Accreditation is crucial across medical education, and MSN programs are no different. There are two main national accrediting agencies: The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a national agency dedicated to the quality of MSN programs. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) works to improve nursing education by accrediting degrees that reach their standards.

Accreditation matters for a number of reasons. Federal financial aid eligibility depends on your institution holding accreditation from a recognized institutional accreditor — this is separate from a nursing program’s own programmatic accreditation from CCNE or ACEN, which confirms the nursing program itself meets professional education standards. Because accreditation practices and transfer-credit or employer requirements vary by school, confirm your prospective program’s institutional and programmatic accreditation, and check transfer-credit and employer-recognition details directly with the institutions involved.

Related Nursing Programs

A BSN to MSN is a great option for those who want to take on an advanced position in the field. For many working professionals, an online or blended-format program can make it easier to continue working while completing a degree. There are also many other types of online nursing degrees to choose from; most of these can also be found online. Consider these related nursing programs:

• RN-to-MSN Online Programs
• Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
• Online Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) Programs
• Online Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) Programs
• Online Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs
• Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs

Apart from BSN-to-MSN programs, many universities also offer training, guiding students all the way from an RN to an MSN qualification. Here’s a list of frequently asked questions with brief answers.