7 Affordable Online MSN Programs Without Clinicals 2025

If you're a registered nurse interested in advancing your career, you may be thinking of returning to school for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Perhaps you'd like to know more about this type of program � specifically, whether there are any programs you can complete entirely online, without clinical experiences.

Keep reading as we explore some top online MSN programs without clinicals. We'll also discuss the types of MSN degrees you may want to consider and answer common questions you may have.

Are There MSN Programs That Don't Require Clinicals?

Yes, a handful of schools throughout the U.S. offer MSN programs without clinicals. These graduate-level nursing programs are ideal for nurses seeking career advancement in healthcare leadership or education.

No-clinical MSN programs can often be completed entirely online, though this isn't always the case. Some programs still require students to complete in-person practicums in their local communities or on campus, and others require hybrid study schedules or occasional on-campus residencies.

Types of MSN Programs That Don't Require Clinicals

If you're looking to complete an MSN without clinicals, the type of program you choose is important. Practice-based MSNs leading to careers as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, or advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), for example, almost always require hundreds of hours of clinical practice experience.

That said, other MSN specializations can be completed with few or no clinical hours. Good specializations to consider include:

• nurse leadership
• nursing education
• nursing informatics
• healthcare policy
• public health

7 Most Flexible Online MSN Programs

If you're ready to pursue an online Master of Science in Nursing without clinicals, keep reading. Below, we'll look at some top programs that can help you advance your nursing career affordably and from the comfort of your own home.

1. University of Saint Mary

The University of Saint Mary is a Catholic school located in Leavenworth, KS. This private school provides an MSN program with specializations in nurse administrator and nurse educator.

Both programs require 500 ''practice immersion hours,'' and the nurse educator program stipulates that 60 of these hours must be in-person clinical experiences. The nurse administrator program does not require this clinical experience, instead allowing students to fulfill the requirement through other approved means.

• Estimated tuition cost: $495 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can qualify for payment plans and apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. McKendree University

McKendree University is a private school in Lebanon, IL. Its online MSN program features specializations in nursing management/administration, population health, and education.

Students in these programs gain skills to help them pursue leadership roles in education and healthcare systems. Clinical hours are not always required; however, students must complete 150 practicum hours, which can be personalized to help each student gain the hands-on experiences they need for their education.

• Estimated tuition cost: $495 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Tuition discounts, financial aid, and employer reimbursement options are all available through this school.
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Wilson College

Wilson College is a private school located in Chambersburg, PA. Students at this school can pursue an online MSN with no clinical requirements.

The school places a strong emphasis on students' past patient care and nursing practice experience. The program teaches competencies in nursing education and management, allowing students to pursue either track without completing clinicals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $600 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school accepts scholarships and various forms of financial aid, and many students qualify for payment plans.
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University is a Catholic school located in Miami Gardens, FL. It provides an MSN program that can be completed online and does not require clinicals, though a minimal practicum experience is built into it.

The program is highly flexible, allowing students to complete coursework on their own time as long as they meet course deadlines. The seven-week practicum course enables them to demonstrate an understanding of evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and healthcare leadership as they complete a project in a local, real-world healthcare setting.

• Estimated tuition cost: $605 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students can use scholarships and financial aid to help pay for their degree programs.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

5. Millersville University

Millersville University is a public school located in Millersville, PA. It offers a 100% online MSN in nursing education.

Students complete a blend of core courses and electives that help them improve their decision-making and instructional skills. Two seven-week practicum courses are required, during which students complete online seminars to discuss various topics related to nursing education and professional development.

• Estimated tuition cost: $633 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Tuition is pay-by-the-course, and students can use various forms of aid to cover their costs.
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart University is a private school located in Fairfield, CT. Students with current RN licensure can enroll in an online MSN with various tracks, including:

• clinical nurse leader
• nursing management and executive leadership
• nursing education

Students can earn a degree in any of these three specializations without completing clinical placements. Various specializations make it easy for students to choose the track that best aligns with their professional goals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $695 per credit hour
• Financial aid: Students have many financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, tuition discounts, and military and employer benefits.
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

7. Norwich University

Norwich University is a private military school in Northfield, VT. It offers a 100% online MSN in healthcare systems leadership.

The program features asynchronous courses that students complete at their own pace. Students must complete practicum hours as part of some of the courses, but no clinicals are required.

• Estimated tuition cost: $825 per credit hour
• Financial aid: The school offers tuition discounts for qualifying students, and various other financial aid options are also available.
• Accreditation: NECHE

How We Rank Schools

We strive to choose only the best programs when creating our school rank lists. We used the following criteria to select the nursing master's degrees above:

• Accreditation: Accreditation is important for credibility and professional recognition. All schools listed are institutionally accredited, and the advanced nursing programs maintain accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Affordability: All of the educational programs featured have affordable tuition rates below $1,000 per credit hour.
• Program reputation: All of the programs are known for having expert faculty members and providing high-quality education through both on-campus and online programs.

FAQs About MSN Programs Without Clinicals

If you still have questions about getting an MSN without spending time in clinical settings, you're not alone. Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions you may be wondering about.

Are Online MSN Programs Respected?

Yes, online MSN programs are as respected as in-person programs as long as they come from accredited, reputable colleges and universities. Online MSN graduates have been prepared with the same training and education as those who graduated from in-person programs, only they completed their coursework in a more flexible format.

How Long Is an RN to MSN Program?

Different programs last for different lengths of time. Students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may be able to finish in as little as 10 to 12 months, though most programs take one to two years to complete. Those with an associate degree instead of a bachelor's degree, as well as those studying part-time, may need more time to finish their degree, often two to three years or more.

Can You Skip a BSN and Go to an MSN?

If you have a current RN license and have completed an associate degree, you may be able to enroll in an RN-to-MSN program. If you have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and are looking to transition your career to a nursing role, you can pursue a direct-entry MSN program. Both of these options allow students to skip the BSN stage, streamlining the education process and helping them start or advance their nursing careers as efficiently as possible.

How Long Are Online MSN Degree Programs?

To become an MSN nurse online, you'll need to spend at least 10 to 12 months completing your education. Online nursing students often have more flexible learning options, like asynchronous courses and multiple yearly start dates. This makes it easier for them to complete their degree in a faster timeframe, even while working full-time.

What Are the Highest Paying Jobs With an MSN?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurse anesthetists are some of the highest-paid MSN-educated nursing professionals. These individuals earn a median salary of $223,210 per year. Other high-paying jobs include:

• family nurse practitioner (FNP)
• psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP)
• acute care nurse practitioner
• adult-gerontology nurse practitioner
• nurse midwife

Discover Online Nursing Degrees

If you're ready to pursue or advance your career as a nurse leader, educator, or administrator, explore the schools featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the colleges for more information on their programs and admission requirements so you can find the right option.