What Is an Online MSN Degree?
Registered nurses (RNs) and those who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may want to consider earning an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which can lead to lucrative opportunities in administrative, specialty, and post-secondary teaching positions. Online MSN programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills that allow them to handle more responsibilities, oversee other healthcare professionals, and provide better care for patients.
Distance learning MSN programs are typically offered as a flexible alternative to campus-based education and may be delivered fully remotely or in a hybrid setting of both online and in-person courses. Students should have regular access to a computer and the internet to access key learning tools, such as video instruction, email communication, forums, assignments, and examinations.
Graduates with MSN degrees may be able to provide primary care to patients and operate independently of physicians in multiple capacities. For these reasons, the demand for highly-skilled nursing professionals continually increases. This article explores pertinent information regarding an MSN, including curriculum, admission requirements, and financial assistance options.
The Best Online MSN Degree Programs
| School | Tuition* | Acceptance Rate | Graduation Rate | Financial Aid % | Placement Services | Career Services | Accepts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington University | $31824 | 41% | 82% | 77% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 2 | The Catholic University of America | $48640 | 85% | 72% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 3 | DeSales University | $8900 | 80% | 53% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 4 | Briar Cliff University | $12608 | 82% | 48% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 5 | Duquesne University | $23580 | 74% | 81% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 6 | Xavier University | $22994 | 76% | 71% | 73% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 7 | Seton Hall University | $24350 | 74% | 73% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 8 | Concordia University-Wisconsin | $11172 | 64% | 64% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 9 | Felician University | $20050 | 86% | 47% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 10 | MCPHS University | $23280 | 85% | 74% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 11 | Bradley University | $16660 | 70% | 77% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 12 | Simmons University | $21818 | 73% | 81% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 13 | Sacred Heart University | $30427 | 64% | 73% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 14 | Regis University | $14441 | 71% | 64% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 15 | Olivet Nazarene University | $13420 | 58% | 64% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 16 | Morningside College | $5040 | 63% | 62% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 17 | Loyola University New Orleans | $16240 | 75% | 62% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 18 | Chatham University | $18280 | 62% | 70% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 19 | Baylor University | $35514 | 45% | 78% | 95% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 20 | Bethel University | $11034 | 90% | 32% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 21 | Edgewood College | $17856 | 72% | 64% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 22 | Saint Joseph's College of Maine | $9470 | 87% | 67% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 23 | Wilkes University | $27024 | 79% | 63% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 24 | Messiah University | $12420 | 76% | 79% | 100% | No | Yes | AP Credits |
| 25 | Jacksonville University | $14706 | 92% | 52% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 26 | Nova Southeastern University | $21206 | 80% | 58% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 27 | Saint Francis University | $25500 | 75% | 73% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 28 | Monmouth University | $27838 | 77% | 73% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 29 | Saint Xavier University | $16450 | 73% | 56% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 30 | Roberts Wesleyan College | $14394 | 67% | 62% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 31 | Gonzaga University | $17096 | 62% | 85% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 32 | Stevenson University | $8040 | 81% | 60% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 33 | DePaul University | $19974 | 68% | 74% | 98% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 34 | McKendree University | $9522 | 63% | 60% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE / NCCRS Credits |
| 35 | Thomas Jefferson University | $21978 | 66% | 70% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 36 | Regis College | $38850 | 79% | 67% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 37 | Drexel University | $36021 | 75% | 69% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 38 | Rivier University | $11655 | 75% | 46% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 39 | Saint Louis University | $21534 | 58% | 79% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP / ACE Credits |
| 40 | University of St Francis | $13839 | 46% | 62% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 41 | St. Thomas University | $10626 | 55% | 43% | 97% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 42 | MidAmerica Nazarene University | $14409 | 55% | 43% | 99% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 43 | American International College | $11639 | 65% | 44% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 44 | Benedictine University | $19409 | 42% | 46% | 100% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
| 45 | Georgetown University | $51790 | 14% | 95% | 55% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 46 | Johns Hopkins University | $57556 | 11% | 93% | 67% | Yes | Yes | AP / NCCRS Credits |
| 47 | University of Southern California | $47107 | 11% | 92% | 69% | Yes | Yes | AP Credits |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit Study.com's ranking methodology page.
*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Why Should I Get an MSN Degree?
Nursing professionals interested in acquiring more responsibility in their field or qualifying for leadership roles, such as Director of Nursing, benefit from earning an MSN. While certain roles require a bachelor's degree at minimum to apply, employers often prefer candidates with an MSN for advanced roles. Alternatively, professionals interested in an administrative role providing indirect care could also consider earning an MBA in healthcare management. This degree would allow professionals to focus on daily issues in the field, developing new procedures that lead to more effective care for patients.
How Long Does It Take to Earn an MSN?
Students can earn an online MSN in approximately two years if they enroll in their programs full-time. Some online MSN programs require that students complete multiple clinical field experiences as well. While many online MSN programs often require that students complete 36 to 72 credits, those requirements tend to vary as colleges and universities develop their own curriculums.
Additionally, professionals with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) may want to consider accelerated degree options in order to graduate with an MSN. For instance, schools may offer bridge programs, which allow students to earn a BSN and MSN within three years.
Curriculum for Online MSN Degree Programs
Students enrolled in online MSN degree programs can expect a flexible curriculum that includes several research and practice-based coursework, clinical practicum, and electives. Additionally, many MSN programs encourage students to concentrate on a specific area of nursing. The most common MSN concentrations available in online degree programs include nursing education, clinical nurse leader, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, healthcare policy, family nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioner, public health nursing, or nursing informatics.
The following sections will provide an overview of MSN foundational, specialist, and elective courses offered at the graduate level.
MSN Foundational Courses
Typically, online MSN foundational courses tend to emphasize advanced research methods and evidence-based practice, covering several essential topics that include physical assessment and clinical decision making, pharmacotherapeutics for advanced nursing, healthcare policy and leadership, and pathophysiology for advanced nursing practice. Professional core requirements may also include a population health course, which teaches master-level nursing students how to manage evolving healthcare systems and meet the needs of underserved communities.
Students can expect to enroll in variations of the following foundational course titles in their online MSN programs:
- Biostatistics
- Advanced Nursing Concepts
- Healthcare Quality and Improvements
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Nursing Informatics
MSN Specialist & Elective Courses
Most often, specialist and elective courses in online MSN programs are determined by the student's concentration or chosen study track. For example, students concentrating on family nurse practitioner or adult-gerontology practitioner may take several courses for critical care nursing, primary care of adolescents and adults, sexual and reproductive health, diagnosis and management of adults across the lifespan, and healthcare of childbearing women theory.
Other advanced specialty areas include healthcare leadership and administration and nursing education. Specialist courses may include facilitating student learning and teaching innovation and assessment and evaluation in nursing education.
Licensure & Certification in MSN
Students who earn their degree in an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) specialty field may qualify to take a state license exam in their specialty area. For instance, nurse anesthetists need to take an exam through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, while pediatric nurses take the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board exam. Students earning their MSN in a non-clinical MSN specialty may complete certifications. For instance, nurse educators can complete the Certified Nurse Educator exam.
Earning an MSN requires extensive hands-on experience. Students often complete practicum experiences, which require over 600 hours for most specialty areas, while certain specialties require over 1,000 hours. For instance, nurse anesthetists often graduate with over 2,600 hours of clinical experience.
In contrast, an online nurse educator MSN is a non-clinical specialty. While the best nurse educator programs still include clinical hours and a practicum or internship experience, students may only need to complete under 250 clinical hours. Depending on the certification board, practitioners should also keep in mind that they need to acquire additional clinical hours to keep their license valid.
Admissions Requirements for Online MSN Programs
Although MSN application procedures vary slightly at each college or university, students can apply to a distance learning MSN program by filling out the online application on the school's website. Additionally, students should plan to submit official transcripts from an accredited undergraduate program, a personal statement or essay, and a resume. Many schools also require letters of recommendation from professional sources who can attest to an applicant's personal character and professional competency.
Other requirements may include an unencumbered RN license, a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, proof of immunization, and a background check. Although many online MSN programs do not require that students submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, doing so may strengthen their application. Likewise, students should consider submitting any additional certifications they've obtained to provide a competitive edge in the admissions review process.
To find out more information regarding the application procedures, nursing transfer student requirements, and the admissions review process, students can contact their prospective school or program's academic advisors.
What Can I Do with an MSN Degree?
An MSN aims to prepare students for advanced direct care opportunities and indirect care roles that emphasize administration or education in the medical field. Professionals pursuing APRN specialty fields are usually currently employed with their preferred target population with an interest in seeking career advancement. Other times, students with an MSN gain the practical experience and training to make a transition into a nursing specialty field.
Indirect care roles include nursing informatics, nurse educator, clinical nurse leader, and nurse researcher. These positions allow practitioners to work behind-the-scenes overseeing or training groups of healthcare professionals. MSN graduates can also find employment opportunities in multiple settings, including hospitals, private practices, clinics, and postsecondary institutions.
The most recent salary information for MSN-related careers provided by PayScale are as follows:
- Director of Nursing: $91,002
- Family Nurse Practitioner: $96,102
- Clinical Nurse Researcher: $72,176
- Nursing Informatics Specialist: $84,744
- Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner: $90,840
It is essential to note that salaries may also be determined by the state, county, level of education, and whether an individual is employed with a hospital, private practice, research firm, etc.
Job Outlook for an MSN
There is an ever-growing demand for professionals with an MSN degree in the healthcare industry. For instance, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) data projects a 45 percent increase in the job outlook for nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and nurse midwives from 2019 to 2029. Nursing professionals in these positions may have access to lucrative employment opportunities with earnings averaging about $115,800.
The BLS data also projects a 32 percent job growth for medical and health services managers. These professionals earn about $100,980 on average. While applicants can typically apply for these roles with a bachelor's degree, many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are responsible for delivering primary and specialty care to patients. With an advanced degree, nurse practitioners typically record patient vitals, conduct physical exams and observations, generate wellness or treatment plans for patients, operate medical equipment, and work alongside doctors and other healthcare professionals to help patients manage their illnesses. Oftentimes, nurse practitioners may specialize in a specific area of nursing science, such as gerontology, pediatrics, psychiatry, or women's health.
Nurse practitioners may work in physicians' offices, hospitals, outpatient centers, government health departments, and other types of healthcare facilities. While many nurse practitioners work during regular business hours, some professionals may also work evenings, weekends, and holidays providing round-the-clock care.
Generally, nurse practitioners possess superior communication and interpersonal skills and convey a great deal of compassion while caring for patients. They also should have critical-thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and resourceful skills to be successful in their roles.
How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist
Graduates with an MSN may decide to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist. The responsibilities of a nurse anesthetist are often complex and usually include administering anesthesia to patients, monitoring their vitals, and overseeing their recovery from undergoing anesthesia. Typically, nurse anesthetists work alongside anesthesiologists, surgeons, dentists, and other types of physicians to provide care.
Nurse anesthetists must have extensive knowledge and on-the-job training with regards to developing anesthesia care plans, such as assessing patient medical histories, administering anesthetic medications, performing diagnostic tests, performing regional anesthetic techniques, and following prescribed solutions for local, intravenous, spinal anesthetics. Nurse anesthetists are usually adept in chemistry and biology, as well as medical technology and software.
The top skills required for nurse anesthetists include critical thinking, reading comprehension, active listening and learning, and monitoring capabilities.
Common Undergraduate Degrees for MSN
Aspiring nurse practitioners can begin their careers by earning an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). An ADN only requires two years to complete, allowing graduates to become an RN and begin acquiring experience faster. Students who choose to earn a BSN can earn their degree in about four years and they qualify for more responsibilities than ADN graduates.
Individuals with ADNs and BSNs may decide to further their education in an MSN program. Obtaining an MSN can potentially lead to a variety of careers, including roles that do not require a nursing license. While applicants most commonly hold an ADN or BSN, students with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in another field can apply to certain MSN programs. Students who hold a non-nursing degree should consider direct entry MSN programs that do not require prerequisite courses or offer an accelerated pathway to earning a nursing license and their MSN.
Post-Graduate Options After Completing an MSN
Practitioners interested in earning a terminal degree in their field can go on to earn a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) after completing an MSN. This degree is designed to foster leadership within experienced nursing professionals and may lead to other careers in research or postsecondary teaching. Graduates qualify for the highest levels of leadership and possess considerable knowledge, skills, and expertise. Students can earn a DNP in three to four years with full-time attendance, while part-time students may need up to seven years to earn their degree.
Certificate Options for MSN
There are several clinical and non-clinical online nursing specialty certificate programs that students may enroll in. Nursing specialty certificate programs are ideal for professionals who want to improve or gain new skills, seek career advancement, or pursue a career change. Oftentimes, students will enroll in nursing specialty certificate programs to help prepare them to take certification exams in different nursing fields.
A certificate in a nursing specialty is oftentimes shorter than many other types of degree programs. Depending on the program, curriculums may consist of nine to 30 credits and could include a clinical practicum. Common nursing specialty certificate programs are public health, population health, healthcare policy, nursing leadership, and nursing informatics, amongst others.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Grants for Online MSN Programs
Earning an MSN requires a significant investment. Students should begin their funding search by filling out the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA), which includes grants and loans. Federal aid disburses grants based on financial need. Graduate students may qualify for unsubsidized loans that do not base awards on financial need and these loans accrue interest while students attend school.
Graduate students also qualify for Direct PLUS loans. This loan requires at least part-time enrollment and students' credit cannot include an adverse history. Students do not need to begin repaying Direct PLUS loans until six months after they graduate. MSN students should also explore scholarship opportunities as grants do not require repayment.
While multiple scholarships exist, the following list includes potential options:
AfterCollege-AACN Scholarship Fund
Students pursuing a master's degree for nurse education or APRN at an American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)-member institution can apply for the AfterCollege-AACN Scholarship Fund. prioritizes graduate students and awards $2,500 to a student each quarter. In addition to the application, candidates may be asked to send letters of recommendation, published research or articles, awards, honors, etc. for consideration. A scholarship award of $2,500 will be given to one finalist each quarter.
Promise of Nursing Faculty Fellowships
The Promise of Nursing Faculty Fellowships is provided by the Foundation of National Student Nurses' Association. Registered nurses enrolled in a graduate-level nursing program in Arizona, California, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington can apply by filling out the online application and submitting a current resume, recent transcripts, letter of recommendation, dean/director certification, financial aid certification, and a copy of the student's current RN license. Awards range from $1,000-$7,000 annually and may be applied towards tuition, fees, and books.