The 2020 Guide to Online Masters in Nursing (MSN) Programs

Some of the most lucrative and in-demand positions of the nursing career path are only available to candidates with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. As such, more and more schools are offering high-quality online MSN programs to fill this need. What’s more, many online MSN programs allow practicing registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees to continue to work as they advance both their education and career prospects.

Jumpstart Your Career in Nursing, Explore Online MSN Programs:

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While it is possible to practice nursing without an advanced degree, completing an MSN program online opens up a wide array of additional pathways for career specializations as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) that would otherwise be inaccessible.

MSN Program Online Experience

Schools offering online nursing masters programs strive to create distance-learning opportunities that rival their traditional on-campus experiences. To do so, students are provided with a variety of digital content and technological supports to ensure that coursework is as immersive and engaging as possible.

Students can expect online DNP programs to include:

• Cloud-based platforms for accessing and submitting course materials
• A combination of live and pre-recorded lecture content
• Interactive and multimedia-infused learning modules
• Opportunities for digital communication and collaboration between students and faculty
• Technical support assistance to resolve any issues interfacing with coursework

These features make it possible for students to complete the coursework components of an online MSN program in the places and at the times most convenient for them – a huge benefit for practicing nurses whose shifts may not align with typical on-campus course schedules.

Be advised, many MSN degree programs require a certain number of clinical/practicum hours focused on a nurse’s particular specialization or specializations so that, upon completion, students have the experience required to obtain licensure in their chosen fields. These hands-on experiences cannot be replaced by online distance learning. That said, being able to complete the coursework components of an MSN degree online is an undeniable convenience.

Online MSN Program Curriculum

Online MSN programs are a blend of core nursing courses as well as coursework and practicum experiences tailored to a student’s chosen APRN or NP specialty.

Courses vary by institution, but core coursework for most MSN programs online includes classes like:

A student’s specialty track and state licensing requirements will determine the remainder of the MSN degree course load. As mentioned, most specializations will include clinical hours that provide students with hands-on experiences in their chosen fields while also counting towards degree credit hour requirements.

Full-time students with an existing BSN degree can often complete their MSN in two years’ time. Part-time students can expect the MSN degree program to take two to three times longer depending upon their course loads and the required number of clinical hours they must complete.

It is worth noting that it is becoming increasingly common for schools to offer combination BSN/MSN programs that admit students seeking to complete both degrees in sequence. However, while there may be some courses that can be completed online, the bulk of these accelerated programs are not available online due to their increased pace and rigor.

Online MSN Program Specializations

A key part in selecting an online MSN degree program is deciding upon a specialization. This focus area determines a large percentage of the credit hours earned towards the MSN degree as well as what state requirements must be met so that the degree can be put to use in the field.

Some online MSN programs require applicants to choose their concentration upon enrollment; others allow some flexibility before a commitment to a particular track must be made. Either way, it helps to have an idea of the concentration you are pursuing when selecting and evaluating a prospective school. There is no guarantee that simply because a school offers an online masters in nursing, it offers the exact concentration or specialization you are looking for. Similarly, there is no guarantee that the experiences in each specialization are of equal quality.

Why Get an Online Masters in Nursing (MSN)?

Completing an online MSN degree provides nurses with numerous benefits including:

1. A convenient way to expand your healthcare knowledge – By opting for an online MSN degree path, you have the flexibility to continue your education on your schedule. Many programs allow you to increase and decrease your course load on a semester-by-semester basis to work around scheduling needs (like work or childcare) or financial limitations.
2. Higher-paying nursing opportunities - Gaining a masters of science in nursing opens the door to higher earning potentials as, on average, Nurse Practitioners hold higher salaries than Registered Nurses
3. Increased potential for leadership roles – experienced nurses are increasingly being tapped to take on administrative and managerial healthcare positions. Thus, most MSN degree programs include core courses in healthcare management and employee leadership to help prepare nurses for upward mobility in the field.
4. Better hours – Sometimes APRN specialists have the option of working more traditional practitioners’ hours instead of inconvenient shift rotations. When shift-work is required, more experienced nurses often are typically given priority over less experienced ones for the most desirable hours.
5. Opens the door to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree – A DNP is the terminal degree in the nursing field and is a lucrative path a nurse can take in the medical profession without pursuing an expensive and time-consuming Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Like an MSN degree, many schools now allow significant portions of the DNP program to be completed online.

Nursing Career Outlook

Nursing is a very diverse career path with numerous specializations and concentrations. In the modern healthcare landscape – with its aging population, increased public reliance on outpatient and urgent care, and shortage of nurses in many areas - nurses of all kinds should continue to enjoy job security.

Licensed Nurses (LNs)

Registered Nurses (RNs)

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)

Finding the Best Online MSN Program For You

In searching for the best online MSN programs across the United States, it’s important to take into account the clinical and credit hours necessary to complete the program and any GRE requirements that the program has. These factors, among many others, can help students decide which online MSN program is best suited to their needs.

Featured Online MSN Programs

Featured Online MSN Programs

School Name	GRE	Clinical Hours Required	Credit Requirement
Georgetown University	GRE Not Required	650	44
University of Southern California	GRE Not Required	784	49
Simmons University	GRE Not Required	672	48

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Online MSN Programs for 2020

We’ve compiled a list of the online MSN programs across the United States along with degree and program requirement information. An important component to any online degree program, specifically in the healthcare field, is their ability to provide top tier clinical placements as well as great online coursework. Any MSN online program worth it's salt will have a team of dedicated professionals working to match you with a medical center that meets your needs for clinical placement. Explore each program thoroughly to find out which MSN online program is the best suited to your needs!

Online MSN in the United States

School Name	GRE Requirement?	Clinical Hours Required	Credit Requirement
Angelo State University	N/A	600	49
Ball State University	No GRE Required	180-690	36-47
Baylor University	No GRE Requried	120	36
Benedictine University	N/A	70	36-39
Capella University	No GRE Required	100	54
Carlow University	No GRE Required	600	33-50
Cedarville University	N/A	600	42-45
Charleston Southern University	Yes if GPA less than 3.5	N/A	39
Chatham University	No GRE Required	500	33
Clarion University of Pennsylvania	No GRE Required	600	45
Clarkson College	No GRE Required	650	44
Cleveland State University	No GRE Required	160	39-47
Delta State University	GRE Required	180	N/A
Drexel University	N/A	160	45
Duke University	No GRE Required	728	42-49
Duquesne University	No GRE Required	N/A	33
Eastern Kentucky University	GRE Required	750	47
Florida Atlantic University	GRE Required	600	49
Frontier Nursing University	No	675	60-64
Fort Hays State University	N/A	120	36
George Washington University	Yes	700	48-54
Georgetown University sponsored	No	768-1000	40-49
Georgia College & State University	Yes	45	31
Graceland University	N/A	600	40-47
Grand Canyon University	Yes	675	53
Jacksonville University	Yes if GPA is less than 3.0	720	30
Johns Hopkins University	No	336	72
Liberty University	No	N/A	42
Loyola University	Yes	720	30-48
Michigan State University	No	250	90
Morehead State University	No	N/A	49
Morningside University	N/A	600	47
Northern Kentucky University	No	800	33-46
Morningside University	N/A	600	47
Northwest Nazarene University	No	100	48
Norwich University	No	100	18-22
Nova Southeastern University	No	130	36-39
Ohio State University	No	N/A	39
Ohio University	No	650	41
Old Dominion University	Yes if GPA is less than 3.5	N/A	49-51
Purdue University	No	640	60-90
Queens University of Charlotte	No	75	38
Regis College	No	600	25
Saint Xavier University	No	600	35-47
Simmons University sponsored	No	672	68
Southeastern Louisiana University	Yes	225-720	40-49
Thomas Edison State University	No	150	36
Union University	No	560	46
University of Alabama- Huntsville	No	225	30
University of Arizona	N/A	560	46
University of Arkansas	Yes	75	39-42
University of Central Arkansas	N/A	400-720	39-42
University of Cincinnati	No	672	50
University of Colorado - Denver	Yes if GPA is less than 3.0	N/A	34
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs	No	630	46-48
University of Florida	Yes	600	60
University of Kansas	N/A	540	37-39
University of Louisiana - Lafayette	No	600	40-45
University of Mary	No	500	38
University of North Alabama	N/A	600	32-41
University of Pittsburgh	Yes if GPA is less than 3.5	420	N/A
University of Rochester	No	672	55
University of South Carolina	No	672	42
University of Southern California sponsored	No	784	49
University of Southern Indiana	Yes	545-665	42
University of Texas	Yes	720	36-39
University of Texas-Tyler	No	675	60
Western Carolina University	No	640	38-52
Wheeling Jesuit University	No	168	46