Direct-Entry MSN Programs for Non-Nursing Majors in Illinois

<p>Registered nurses can earn a Master of Science in Nursing at Bradley University if they have a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Students can choose a concentration in nursing administration (36 credits) and earn their degree in two years, or take the 4-year track focused in family nurse practitioner (74 credits). </p> <h2 id="section---DePaulUniversity">DePaul University</h2> <p>Individuals with a bachelor's degree who wish to enter the field of nursing can earn a Master of Science in Nursing through DePaul University's master's-entry program. The two-year program allows students to take classes at two campuses and enter the nursing field with a generalized graduate nursing education. For RNs with a non-nursing degree, the school also offers an MSN with nursing education, nursing administration, and nurse practitioner tracks. </p> <h2 id="section---ElmhurstCollege">Elmhurst College</h2> <p>Elmhurst College offers a direct-entry MSN program to individuals who do not have nursing experience or a bachelor's degree in nursing. The program consists of on-campus courses and clinical practice requirements that can be completed in around two years. Students graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing with a clinical nurse leader concentration and are prepared to take both the clinical nurse leader certification exam and registered nurse licensure exam. An RN to MSN program is also available with additional specializations in nursing administration and nursing education. </p> <h2 id="section---MethodistCollege">Methodist College</h2> <p>The prelicensure MSN at Methodist College enables individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to enter the field of nursing with a master's degree. The program can be completed in around two years through online and on-site components. It consists of 70 credit hours and prepares graduates for registered nursing licensure. </p> <h2 id="section---MillikinUniversity">Millikin University</h2> <p>Millikin University has a master's-entry MSN program for non-nurses who have a bachelor's degree in a field outside of nursing. It consists of on-campus and online instruction along with clinical practice. The program takes just over two years and prepares graduates for the nurse educator certification exam as well as the RN licensure exam. </p> <h2 id="section---RushUniversity">Rush University</h2> <p>The master's-entry program at Rush University is available to non-nurses who hold a bachelor's degree in any field. The program takes two years, is completed full-time on campus, and has a clinical nurse leader concentration. Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the clinical nurse leader certification and registered nurse licensure exams. </p> <h2 id="section---SaintXavierUniversity">Saint Xavier University</h2> <p>Saint Xavier University offers an MSN program that is available to registered nurses who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Students can concentrate their program in nurse educator (38 credits), executive leadership (35 credits), family nurse practitioner (47 credits), or clinical leadership (38 credits). The program can be completed through online coursework and on-site clinical practicum experiences. </p> <h2 id="section---TrinityCollegeOfNursingHealthSciences">Trinity College of Nursing &amp; Health Sciences</h2> <p>At Trinity College of Nursing &amp; Health Sciences, individuals without nursing experience who hold a bachelor's degree in a field outside of nursing can earn a Master of Science in Nursing in around two years. The program combines online and on-campus instruction with clinical practice. Students learn various nursing competencies and practices in a generalized MSN curriculum. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfIllinoisAtChicago">University of Illinois at Chicago</h2> <p>The University of Illinois at Chicago has a graduate-entry MSN program available to applicants who have a bachelor's degree in any field. The program consists 77 credit hours for non-nurses, while registered nurses are required to complete 43 credit hours. Students can take courses at any of UIC's six campuses and also complete clinical practicum components throughout the program. </p> <h2 id="section---UniversityOfSt.Francis">University of St. Francis</h2> <p>Registered nurses with a non-nursing bachelor's degree can earn a Master of Science in Nursing through the online MSN program at the University of St. Francis. Students can focus their program in psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (47 to 56 credits), nursing administration (42 to 51 credits), family nurse practitioner (47 to 46 credits), or nursing education (37 to 46 credits). </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th>School Name </th><th>Programs Offered </th><th>Average Graduate Tuition (2018-2019)*</th></tr> <tr><td>Bradley University </td><td>MSN </td><td>$16,020</td></tr> <tr><td>DePaul University </td><td>MSN </td><td>$19,032</td></tr> <tr><td>Elmhurst College </td><td>MSN </td><td>$31,170</td></tr> <tr><td>Methodist College </td><td>MSN </td><td>$8,880</td></tr> <tr><td>Millikin University </td><td>MSN </td><td>$22,187</td></tr> <tr><td>Rush University </td><td>MSN </td><td>$36,788</td></tr> <tr><td>Saint Xavier University </td><td>MSN </td><td>$16,000</td></tr> <tr><td>Trinity College of Nursing &amp; Health Sciences </td><td>MSN </td><td>$27,787</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Illinois at Chicago </td><td>MSN </td><td>$13,612 in-state, $23,299 out-of-state</td></tr> <tr><td>University of St. Francis </td><td>MSN </td><td>$13,464</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: National Center for Education Statistics</i> </p> <p>Several schools in Illinois offer direct-entry MSN programs for both nurses and non-nurses who do not have a bachelor's degree in nursing. Programs may consist of online and on-site instruction with clinical practice components and may prepare graduates for nursing licensure and certifications, such as the clinical nurse leader certification.</p>