List of Accelerated BSN to MSN Programs

<h2 id="section---AugustaUniversity">Augusta University</h2> <p>Augusta University offers two unique pathways to the MSN degree with a concentration in Clinical Nurse Leader. The first pathway is a full-time program for students who already have a BSN degree and want to further their education by obtaining an MSN degree. The other pathway is an accelerated graduate program for students with non-nursing bachelor's degrees. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfCaliforniaIrvine">University of California-Irvine</h2> <p>The University of California-Irvine offers a Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) for students who have already completed a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The school's MEPN program is a direct-entry, two-year graduate program that covers the foundation of nursing practices. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfSouthAlabama">University of South Alabama</h2> <p>The University of South Alabama offers an accelerated BSN/MSN Pathway program for students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Completed in 12 months, normally within five semesters, the course schedule is accelerated, and students prepare for the NCLEX-RN certification exam, which allows them to work as registered nurses while they finish their MSN requirements. </p> <h2 id="section---EmoryUniversity">Emory University</h2> <p>Emory University offers a fast track accelerated BSN+MSN program for students wishing to become an advanced practice nurse or midwife. Students with a bachelor's degree in another area earn their BSN in 15 months and then immediately begin the school's MSN program. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfPennsylvania">University of Pennsylvania</h2> <p>The University of Pennsylvania offers an accelerated direct-entry BSN-MSN program for students who have a non-nursing bachelor's degree and are wanting to become an advanced practice nurse. Students complete both their BSN and MSN degrees in the program. </p> <h2 id="section---MarquetteUniversity">Marquette University</h2> <p>Marquette University offers an accelerated direct-entry MSN program for students who earned a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The 19-21 month program provides students with an academic foundation and the clinical skills to further their nursing education. </p> <h2 id="section---SaintLouisUniversity">Saint Louis University</h2> <p>Saint Louis University offers a 21-month, five-semester direct-entry accelerated MSN program for students with a bachelor's degree in another field. The program prepares students to become clinical nurse leaders. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfCincinnati">University of Cincinnati</h2> <p>The University of Cincinnati offers an accelerated direct-entry MSN program. The program requires five semesters of clinical experiences, simulated patient care experiences, and coursework that strengthens students' skills as a health care team member. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfTexasAtAustin">University of Texas at Austin</h2> <p>The University of Texas at Austin offers an advanced MSN program for students who hold a BSN degree or a non-nursing bachelor's degree with an associate's degree in nursing or nursing diploma. Completed in one-and-a-half to two years, students will learn advanced skills through specific graduate concentrations. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfWisconsinMilwaukee">University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee</h2> <p>The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers a full-time Bachelor of Science in Nursing-MN program that builds on a student's completed BSN degree. Another option is a direct-entry MSN for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree, which may be completed in 16 months. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> School Name</th><th> Programs Offered</th><th> Tuition (2018-2019)*</th></tr> <tr><td> Augusta University</td><td> BSN to MSN</td><td> $5,144 in-state; $17,544 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td> University of California-Irvine</td><td> Master's Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN)</td><td> $11,442 in-state; $26,544 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td> University of South Alabama</td><td> BSN/MSN Pathway</td><td> $7,956 in-state; $15,912 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td> Emory University</td><td> BSN+MSN</td><td> $41,800</td></tr> <tr><td> University of Pennsylvania</td><td> BSN+MSN</td><td> $34,882</td></tr> <tr><td> Marquette University</td><td> MSN</td><td> $20,340</td></tr> <tr><td> Saint Louis University</td><td> MSN</td><td> $20,340</td></tr> <tr><td> University of Cincinnati</td><td> MSN</td><td> $12,790 in-state; $24,532 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td> University of Texas at Austin</td><td> MSN</td><td> $11,742 in-state; $22,564 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee</td><td> Bachelor of Science in Nursing-MN + MSN</td><td> $10,387 in-state; $23,424 out-of-state</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *NCES </i></p> <h2 id="section---DegreeInformationForAcceleratedNursingPrograms">Degree Information for Accelerated Nursing Programs</h2> <p>Accelerated nursing programs are designed for students who wish to advance their nursing degrees to the graduate level or for those who have already earned a bachelor's degree in another field. Students earn an MSN with a number of courses in pharmacology, community health, and health promotion/disease prevention. </p> <h3 id="section---PharmacologyForNurses">Pharmacology for Nurses</h3> <p>A pharmacology course for nurses usually includes an overview of the history of drugs, as well as current issues. The class might include topics in pharmacotherapeutics, pharmacodynamics, and an emphasis on pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of illnesses. Nursing students will be expected to place their management role as a nurse in pharmacological research. </p> <h3 id="section---CommunityHealth">Community Health</h3> <p>A course in community health usually provides nursing students with the background necessary to work in community health practices. The course might include topics in the historical underpinnings of community health nursing, population health, families and family assessment, rural communities, and more. The course will probably assist students in analyzing the relationships between individuals, families, population groups, and communities through the health care industry. </p> <h3 id="section---HealthPromotionAndDiseasePrevention">Health Promotion and Disease Prevention</h3> <p>A course in health promotion and disease prevention can explore how to identify the various risk factors for disease/illnesses, as well as assess and teach patients about their health risks. This type of class might discuss how to educate patients on actions to promote their health and ways to implement community-based client care. </p> <h2 id="section---AdmittanceRequirementsForBSNAndMSNPrograms">Admittance Requirements for BSN and MSN Programs</h2> <p>Aspiring MSN students should have already completed a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA. If the degree isn't in nursing or a science-related field, students should take prerequisite courses (including biology, microbiology, anatomy, organic and inorganic chemistry, and developmental psychology). In addition, prospective students usually must submit letters of recommendation, an application essay, a current resume, and GRE scores. </p> <p>Accelerated MSN programs allow students to advance their nursing education beyond a bachelor's degree in nursing or in a different field. Often completed within two years, the graduate programs offer fast track courses designed to prepare students for their careers as graduate-level registered nurses. Accelerated programs are available across the country.</p>