Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Texas

<p>Lubbock Christian University has a two-year Master of Science in Nursing program available to registered nurses who have a bachelor's degree, with preference given to those who hold a BSN. Interested applicants may also need to meet work experience requirements. Once admitted, students can choose either an education and leadership track or a family nurse practitioner track within the MSN program. </p> <h2 id="section---TexasWomanSUniversity">Texas Woman's University</h2> <p>Registered nurses with a bachelor's degree in a field outside of nursing can earn a Master of Science in Nursing through the post-baccalaureate program at Texas Woman's University. Students can complete the program with a specialization in nursing education (50 hours), women's health nurse practitioner (56 hours), pediatric nurse practitioner (56 hours), family nurse practitioner (56 hours), adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (56 hours), adult gerontology nurse practitioner (56 hours), or nursing health systems management (52 hours) with an emphasis in business or health care administration. </p> <h2 id="section---TheUniversityOfTexasAtAustin">The University of Texas at Austin</h2> <p>The University of Texas at Austin has an alternative-entry MSN program for students who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing and are not currently registered nurses. The program takes three years to complete and offers specialization tracks in adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, leadership in diverse settings, and psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner. </p> <h2 id="section---TheUniversityOfTexasAtElPaso">The University of Texas at El Paso</h2> <p>The MSN program at the University of Texas at El Paso is available to individuals who are licensed RNs in their state of residence and hold a bachelor's degree. The online program prepares graduates for advanced practice and leadership roles, allowing students to focus their curriculum in one of the following areas: nursing education, nursing administration and management, family primary care nurse practitioner, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, pediatric primary care nurse practitioner, or pediatric acute care nurse practitioner. </p> <h2 id="section---TheUniversityOfTexasRioGrandeValley">The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley</h2> <p>Registered nurses with an associate degree in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor's degree can earn a Master of Science in Nursing online in 12 months through the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The MSN program can be specialized in either nursing administration or nursing education and prepares graduates for evidence-based educational and leadership positions. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfMaryHardinBaylor">University of Mary Hardin-Baylor</h2> <p>The MSN program at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is available to registered nurses who have a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 in their most recent 60 hours of undergraduate work. The MSN program offers small classes with some online components and specialization options of adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and family nurse practitioner. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>School Name </th><th>Programs Offered </th><th>Average Graduate Tuition (2018-2019)*</th></tr> <tr><td>Lubbock Christian University </td><td>MSN </td><td>$8,370</td></tr> <tr><td>Texas Woman's University </td><td>MSN </td><td>$4,852 in-state, $12,322 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>The University of Texas at Austin </td><td>MSN </td><td>$11,742 in-state, $22,564 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>The University of Texas at El Paso </td><td>MSN </td><td>$4,941 in-state, $13,649 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley </td><td>MSN </td><td>$5,720 in-state, $13,190 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Mary Hardin-Baylor </td><td>MSN </td><td>$16,200</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *National Center for Education Statistics</i> </p> <h2 id="section---AdmittanceRequirementsForADirectEntryMSNProgramInTexas">Admittance Requirements for a Direct-Entry MSN Program in Texas</h2> <p>Schools that offer Master of Science in Nursing programs to applicants without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing usually require a current RN license as well as a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Some programs may require applicants to have earned a specific score on the GRE or GMAT, and most have a GPA requirement for applicants' undergraduate work (such as a 3.0). Additionally, programs may require professional references and resumes, copies of RN licenses and transcripts, as well as certain undergraduate coursework (such as a statistics course). Because of the clinical practicums, programs may also require students to provide immunization records and obtain updated vaccines, which may include the Hepatitis B vaccine, in order to ensure students can safely provide care to patients during their program. </p> <p>Direct-entry programs in Texas are offered at several schools and enable nurses and non-nurses with a bachelor's degree in a field outside of nursing to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing. Many MSN programs can be completed in two or three years of full-time study and provide specializations or focus areas related to students' career interests, such as education, administration, pediatric nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, adult/gerontology nurse practitioner, and more.</p>