Best 1-Year Online MSN Programs - Shortest MSN Programs

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are usually designed for those with bachelor's degrees and a registered nurse (RN) license. They're typically for those who want to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) or other nurse leader roles. They can also help prepare you for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

Many MSN programs are available online, and commonly take around a year and a half to two years to complete. However, some schools offer accelerated options. Keep reading to discover 1-year online MSN programs.

How Long Does It Take To Complete a Master of Science in Nursing Program?

In general, Master of Science in Nursing programs take one to two years of full-time study to complete. However, the length of your program will depend on a few factors, including your specialty, whether you study full-time or part-time, and whether or not you already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Are There One-Year Online MSN Programs?

While not the most common option, there are one-year master's programs online for nursing. However, most online nursing programs take at least 15 months.

One-year options are usually available in non-clinical specialties, like nursing education, nursing leadership, or nursing informatics. However, sometimes clinical specialties are available in an accelerated format as well.

Top 10 Shortest MSN Programs Online

A few schools around the country offer accelerated MSN programs. We've highlighted our top picks below.

1. Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University is a public institution in Tahlequah, OK. It offers a 32-credit, online MSN that can be completed in as little as one year for students with a BSN.

The program includes core courses on topics like evidence-based practice, healthcare policy and ethics, and advanced patient care. Students choose a specialty in nursing education, administrative leadership, or nursing informatics.

Estimated tuition cost: $9,600

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Northern Kentucky University

At Northern Kentucky University, students will find several online MSN options. The nursing education and nurse executive leadership options both require 33 credit hours and can be completed in as little as a year.

NKU, a public university, is located in Highland Heights, KY. It also offers online MSN options in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (22 months), adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (24 months), and family nurse practitioner (26 months), as well as an online DNP (20 months).

Estimated tuition cost: $29,177, including fees

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

3. Texas A&M International University

Texas A&M International University offers an online MSN in nursing administration. TAMIU is a public university in Laredo, TX.

This program takes as few as ten months for full-time students with a BSN. The College of Nursing also offers a family nurse practitioner MSN (36 months), an RN to MSN option for nursing administration (18 months), and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate (12 months) online.

Estimated tuition cost: $11,377

Accreditation: SACSCOC and ACEN

4. Thomas Edison State University

The online MSN at Thomas Edison State University offers several concentrations. The options in nursing education, nursing informatics, and nursing administration can all be completed in as little as 12 months.

TESU, located in Trenton, NJ, is a public university geared toward adult learners. It also offers MSN options in family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, but these take a few extra semesters to complete.

Estimated tuition cost: $21,250

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and CCNE

5. University of Alabama in Huntsville

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a public research institution in Huntsville, AL. It offers two online MSN programs, one in nursing executive leadership and administration and another in nursing education.

Both of these programs can be completed in one year. Each includes core courses on advanced nursing practice and advanced health assessment. Both programs require at least one clinical practice course.

Estimated tuition cost: $33,144 (in-state); $50,104 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: SACSCOC and CCNE

6. University of Cincinnati

Students at the University of Cincinnati can earn an MSN in nursing education online in as little as one year. The program prepares students to work as teachers and faculty members in educational and healthcare systems.

UC, a public research university, is located in Cincinnati, OH. It also offers MSNs in fields like adult-gerontology primary care, nurse-midwifery, and family nurse practitioner, but these take closer to two years.

Estimated tuition cost: $26,766 (in-state); $27,216 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

7. University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a nurse educator MSN online. UNCW is a public university in Wilmington, NC.

This program can be completed in as little as 12 months. It emphasizes both nursing education in higher education and health care education for patients and families.

Estimated tuition cost: $12,438.72

Accreditation: SACSCOC and CCNE

8. Weber State University

The online MSN at Weber State University offers two specializations: nurse educator and nursing management and leadership. Both can be completed in just a year and include courses on health policy, public health, and evidence-based practice.

Weber State, a public university, is located in Ogden, UT. It has residency requirements for both nursing degrees.

Estimated tuition cost: $8,788.23 (in-state); $25,534.41 (out-of-state)

Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and ACEN

9. Wilmington University

Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution in New Castle, DE. It offers an online MSN in nursing leadership that can be completed in as little as one year. It does not require clinicals but concludes with a capstone project.

The program offers five concentrations: executive, education, legal nurse consultant, nursing professional development, and public health. Other MSN and DNP degrees are also available online, but take longer, two years or more.

Estimated tuition cost: $17,721

Accreditation: MSCHE and CCNE

10. Western Governors University

Through Western Governors University, nursing students can earn an MSN online at their own pace. WGU is a private, nonprofit online university that offers self-paced online degrees to students.

The options in nurse education, nursing informatics, and nursing management require the fewest credits, so they could be completed within a year more easily than the family nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner options. However, you set the pace, so it depends on your workload and schedule.

Estimated tuition cost: $5,035 per six-month term

Accreditation: NWCCU and CCNE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the accelerated MSN programs above, we focused on:

• Accreditation All schools listed are regionally accredited institutions, and all nursing programs are either ACEN or CCNE accredited.
• Format We choose programs that are either fully online or only require students to be in person for clinical hours.
• Program length All programs listed above could be completed within one year of full-time study.

What Can I Expect From an Online MSN Degree Program?

Online MSN programs usually require a few semesters of coursework, which will cover core topics and competencies like:

• advanced nursing roles
• evidence-based practice
• health assessment
• health policy
• healthcare systems
• improving health outcomes
• patient advocacy
• pathophysiology
• pharmacology
• public health

You'll also take courses focused on your specialty and participate in hands-on experiences, like clinical experiences or a practicum, related to your specialty.

FAQs About the Shortest Online MSN Programs

An online master in nursing can help you further your nursing career. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about online MSN programs.

Are There Online MSN Programs Without Clinicals?

There are some MSN programs without clinicals, though these are rare. They're typically offered for non-nursing practice programs, like nursing informatics or nursing management.

What Is the Shortest MSN Online Program?

One of the shortest online MSN programs is from TAMIU. It offers a 10-month MSN in nursing administration.

How Fast Can You Get an MSN?

Without transfer credits, the fastest you can get an MSN is between 10 months and one year.

Are Online MSN Programs Respected?

Online MSN programs are just as respected as on-campus programs. They're very common and allow students to continue working as RNs while earning their master's degree.

Discover Online MSN Degrees

Start your journey toward becoming an advanced practice nurse by exploring the degrees featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions requirements, enrollment, start dates, and financial aid.