10 Online Master's Programs With No Bachelor's Requirement

Most master's programs expect a bachelor's degree on your transcript, but nursing is a notable exception. If you're a registered nurse with an associate degree or hospital diploma, RN to MSN bridge programs let you move straight toward a master's in nursing, combining bachelor's-level coursework and graduate study into one continuous plan.

These programs are built for working RNs, so most deliver coursework online and let you complete any practicum hours near home. The list below focuses on accessible, accredited universities, and the sections that follow cover what you'll study, how long the path takes, what it costs, and where an MSN can lead. Outside nursing, admission without a bachelor's is far less common, and the FAQ section explains what those rarer routes look like.

What Is an Online Master's With No Bachelor's Requirement?

In practice, an online master's with no bachelor's requirement is almost always an RN to MSN program. You apply with your ADN or nursing diploma and an active RN license, then complete a set of bridge courses that cover BSN-level topics such as community health, nursing research, and leadership before moving into graduate coursework.

Some schools award a BSN partway through the program, while others skip the bachelor's entirely and grant only the MSN. Concentrations vary widely, from nursing education and nursing leadership to informatics and nurse practitioner specialties like family or psychiatric-mental health care. Because the bridge replaces a separate RN to BSN, you'll typically take fewer total credits than you would by earning each degree on its own, and you can compare that route with the shortest RN to MSN online programs if speed is your top priority.

Best Online Master's Programs With No Bachelor's Requirement

The programs below admit RNs who hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing, without requiring a completed BSN. Admission standards, concentration options, and practicum expectations differ from school to school, so use these profiles to narrow down which ones match your goals.

1. Western Governors University

With WGU, you can start the RN to MSN path without any prior RN work experience, as long as you hold an ADN or nursing diploma and an active, unencumbered RN license. The program begins with BSN-level coursework, and once that portion is complete, you earn a BSN along with five graduate courses that qualify you for a post-baccalaureate certificate.

You can choose from nursing education, nursing leadership and management, or nursing informatics. WGU charges tuition per six-month term instead of per credit, its competency-based nursing format lets you move faster through familiar material, and its nursing programs hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). These tracks don't lead to nurse practitioner certification, so WGU is a better fit if you're aiming for education, leadership, or informatics roles.

2. Lamar University

Lamar's online RN to MSN totals 56 credit hours, which the university notes is nine fewer than earning an RN to BSN and an MSN separately. You can choose between an administration track and an education track, and most courses run eight weeks, with a few research and practicum courses lasting a full 15-week term.

Admission calls for an ADN or nursing diploma, a current RN license, and a 3.0 GPA, though applicants with a 2.85 to 2.99 GPA can be admitted conditionally. Recent graduates who haven't received their license yet may start provisionally in non-practicum courses, and the program, which can be completed in as few as 36 months, holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

3. Arizona State University

Through ASU's Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, ADN-prepared nurses can earn an MS in nursing education without first finishing a separate bachelor's. The 39-credit curriculum includes six bridge credits, advanced nursing studies, nursing education coursework, two practicum courses, and an applied project capstone, delivered across 14 classes that each last 7.5 weeks.

ASU looks for at least 72 transferable credit hours, a 3.0 GPA in your ADN program, and an interview with faculty, and you'll need a statistics course before your second class if you don't already have one. ASU's CCNE-accredited nursing programs restrict enrollment from some states, so check the state authorization page before you apply.

4. Herzing University

Herzing gives you two ways to reach your MSN. The accelerated RN to MSN skips the BSN and can take as few as 20 to 28 months, while the RN to BSN to MSN option averages 28 to 32 months and awards a bachelor's along the way.

To apply, you'll need an associate degree in nursing, an active RN license in the state where you practice, and an interview to discuss your goals. Herzing is a private nonprofit university, its master's program holds CCNE accreditation, and classes are 100% online with a hands-on clinical component, though eligibility for some specialties depends on your state.

5. Wilkes University

If you're set on becoming a nurse practitioner, Wilkes offers one of the clearer paths on this list. Its online RN to MSN includes family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner tracks, and Wilkes doesn't grant a BSN along the way.

You'll need an ADN with a 3.0 GPA and an unencumbered RN license to apply, plus one year of RN clinical experience by the time NP clinical courses begin. Coursework is online and mostly asynchronous, with 15-week courses and about three years to finish most tracks, and a clinical placement team helps secure your sites at no added cost for the CCNE-accredited program.

6. Sacred Heart University

Sacred Heart combines your BSN and MSN into a single online pathway with five graduate concentrations: clinical nurse leader, family nurse practitioner, nursing education, nursing management and executive leadership, and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. Like many nursing schools that accept transfer credits, Sacred Heart lets you bring in up to 90 credits, leaving about 54 to 57 to complete at Sacred Heart depending on your specialty.

Admission requires an ADN or nursing diploma with a 3.0 GPA, or a 3.2 GPA for the nurse practitioner tracks, along with two recommendation letters and an undergraduate statistics course. No GRE is required, the fastest path takes about 3.5 years, and the BSN, MSN, and APRN certificate programs hold CCNE accreditation.

7. Liberty University

Liberty's RN to BSN to MSN awards both degrees, so you'll leave with a bachelor's and a master's from one program. Concentrations include nursing administration, nurse educator, and community health, and your RN license counts automatically for at least 39 credits.

Courses run in eight-week terms with several start dates each year, and you'll need a 3.0 cumulative GPA, proof of your RN license, and an ADN from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited nursing program for admission in good standing. Liberty is a private nonprofit Christian university with CCNE-accredited bachelor's and master's nursing programs, though the program is limited in some states.

8. Mercy College of Ohio

At Mercy College of Ohio, a Catholic college in Toledo focused on healthcare, the RN to MSN centers on nursing leadership and leads directly to an MSN rather than a BSN. The plan combines block credit for your nursing diploma or ADN, bachelor's-level nursing coursework, general education, and 36 MSN credits.

Applicants with a 3.0 GPA can earn full admission, while those with a 2.0 to 2.9 GPA can follow a second pathway that starts with specified baccalaureate courses. The program runs online with planned practicum experiences, and its MSN holds CCNE accreditation, but RNs licensed only in Florida, Illinois, or New York can't currently be accommodated.

9. Wilson College

Wilson College keeps its RN to MSN fairly compact at the start, with bridge coursework that takes three semesters before you move into the master's courses. From there, you can choose an education track or a leadership and management track, and all coursework is asynchronous.

You'll need a diploma or associate degree in nursing, an active RN license, at least three years of nursing experience or a clinical recommendation, and a 3.0 GPA, though a lower GPA may be considered after an interview. Wilson's nursing programs, including the RN to MSN, are accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA).

10. Aspen University

Aspen, a for-profit online university, offers one of the most flexible schedules in this group, with eight-week courses and new start dates every two weeks. The 57-credit RN to MSN includes seven undergraduate and 12 graduate courses, and you can specialize in forensic nursing, informatics, administration and management, nursing education, or public health.

Admission requires an ADN or nursing diploma with at least a 2.5 GPA, an unrestricted RN license, and one year of nursing experience within the past five years, with no application fee. Each specialization includes a 120-hour practicum completed locally with a preceptor, and the RN to MSN program holds CCNE accreditation, while the university is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).

How We Rank Schools

To create this list, we review data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), along with program-level details published by each university. Because this article centers on master's programs that don't require a bachelor's degree, each school also had to clearly state that it admits RNs with an associate degree or nursing diploma.

• Accreditation: Every program holds nursing accreditation from CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA, and each school is institutionally accredited.
• Admission pathway: Programs qualified only if ADN- or diploma-prepared RNs could enroll directly in the master's track without finishing a separate BSN first.
• Online availability: Coursework is delivered fully or primarily online, with practicum and clinical hours arranged in or near each student's community.
• Career alignment: Concentrations were weighed for how well they prepare nurses for education, leadership, informatics, or advanced practice roles.
• Student outcomes: Transfer credit policies, completion timelines, and placement support for clinical hours also influenced each pick.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

What Will You Learn in an Online RN to MSN Program?

Your first semesters typically mirror an RN to BSN, with courses in health assessment, community and population health, nursing research, and leadership. These bridge courses fill in the bachelor's-level foundation that graduate study builds on, and some programs also require statistics or a few general education classes.

Graduate coursework shifts toward advanced topics such as healthcare policy, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and informatics, plus classes tied to your concentration. Nurse educator tracks cover curriculum design and teaching strategies, leadership tracks focus on finance and organizational management, and nurse practitioner tracks add advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment along with hundreds of supervised clinical hours.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online RN to MSN?

Most RN to MSN programs take between two and four years. Accelerated non-NP tracks can wrap up in about 20 months, while nurse practitioner specialties and part-time schedules usually stretch closer to three or four years.

Transfer credit plays a big role in your timeline. If your associate degree already covers general education requirements, you'll head into bridge and graduate courses sooner, and competency-based or self-paced formats can shorten things further if you're able to take on a heavier workload.

How Much Does an Online RN to MSN Cost?

Total tuition for an online RN to MSN generally ranges from about $25,000 to $60,000, depending on the school, your concentration, and how many credits you transfer in. Public universities and flat-rate, term-based programs tend to cost less, while private schools and nurse practitioner tracks often land at the higher end.

Even at the top of that range, combining both degrees in one program usually costs less than paying for an RN to BSN and a standalone MSN. Budget for extras like clinical placement fees, background checks, and technology costs, and if you're comparing prices closely, it helps to look at affordable RN to MSN programs alongside the schools on this list.

Financial Aid for Online RN to MSN Programs

Because RN to MSN programs blend undergraduate and graduate coursework, your aid eligibility can change as you move through the program. Working with your school's financial aid office early helps you plan for both phases.

• Federal Direct Loans: Undergraduate Direct Loans may apply to bridge coursework, and Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available once you reach graduate-level study. Filing the FAFSA each year keeps you eligible for both.
• Employer tuition assistance: Many hospitals and health systems offer tuition reimbursement for nursing students, especially for degrees in leadership and education. Some require you to stay with the employer for a set period after you finish.
• Nursing scholarships: Professional associations, foundations, and universities offer awards for RNs pursuing graduate study, and they're one of several forms of financial aid for nursing degrees worth stacking. Your nursing school's financial aid office can point you toward scholarships for RN to MSN students.
• NURSE Corps programs: HRSA's NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program helps repay nursing education debt for RNs and advanced practice nurses who work in facilities with a critical shortage of nurses. A separate track supports nurse faculty at eligible schools.
• Military benefits: GI Bill benefits and military tuition assistance can apply to RN to MSN programs, and several universities offer additional discounts for service members and veterans.

How To Choose the Right RN to MSN Program

RN to MSN programs look similar on the surface but differ in structure, outcomes, and fine print. Weighing a few key factors before you apply can save you time and money later.

Whether You Earn a BSN Along the Way

Some programs award a BSN partway through, while others grant only the MSN. A BSN can matter if you plan to apply for certain military, federal, or academic roles, or if you might stop after the bridge portion, so confirm how each school handles the bachelor's degree.

Your Target Concentration

If you want to become a nurse practitioner, look for programs with NP tracks and confirm they lead to national certification eligibility. For education, leadership, or informatics roles, a non-NP track is often faster and less expensive, and comparing BSN and MSN career paths can help you decide how far you want to go.

Clinical Placement Support

Practicum and clinical hours are where many online nursing students run into delays. Ask whether the school finds sites and preceptors for you or expects you to arrange your own, especially for nurse practitioner tracks with heavy clinical requirements.

Admission Requirements and GPA Pathways

Required GPAs on this list range from 2.5 to 3.2, and some schools offer conditional or alternate pathways for applicants who fall a little short. Check for experience requirements, statistics prerequisites, and recommendation letters so you can prepare a complete application.

State Authorization

Online nursing programs must be authorized in the state where you live and, in many cases, where you complete clinical hours. Several schools on this list restrict certain states or specialties, so verify your eligibility before you invest time in an application.

Career Outlook With an Online RN to MSN

An MSN opens doors to nurse educator, nurse manager, informatics, and advanced practice roles, and nurse practitioner positions are among the fastest-growing jobs in healthcare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurse practitioners earn a median annual wage of $132,300, and employment is projected to grow 41% through 2035.

Keep in mind that NP roles require graduating from an NP-focused track, passing a national certification exam, and meeting your state's licensing requirements. If your interests lean toward teaching or management instead, an MSN in nursing education or leadership can still move you beyond bedside staff roles into positions with more responsibility.

FAQs About Online Master's Programs With No Bachelor's Requirement

Nurses considering an RN to MSN often want to know how these programs compare with other paths to a master's degree. The answers below address some of the most common concerns.

Can You Earn a Master's Without a Bachelor's Outside of Nursing?

It's possible but uncommon. A small number of universities in the U.S. and abroad consider substantial professional experience or a recognized professional qualification in place of a bachelor's degree, usually for MBA or professional studies programs, but these decisions are typically made case by case rather than through a published admission route. If you don't have a nursing license, earning a bachelor's, possibly with college credit for life and work experience to shorten the process, is usually the more reliable path.

Do You Need RN Work Experience to Apply?

Requirements vary by school. WGU doesn't require prior RN experience, Aspen asks for one year within the past five years, and Wilson College looks for three years or a clinical recommendation, while Wilkes requires one year of experience before NP clinical courses begin.

Can You Become a Nurse Practitioner Through an RN to MSN Program?

Yes, as long as you choose a program with a nurse practitioner concentration. Wilkes, Herzing, and Sacred Heart offer NP tracks, while programs focused on education, leadership, or informatics don't include the advanced clinical courses and hours needed for NP certification.

What Happens If You Leave an RN to MSN Program Before Finishing?

Your options depend on how the program is structured. At schools that award a BSN partway through, such as WGU, Herzing's RN to BSN to MSN option, Sacred Heart, and Liberty, you may already have a bachelor's once you complete the undergraduate portion, while Lamar students who fall below the GPA needed for the MSN track can continue in the RN to BSN track instead.

Can You Start an RN to MSN Program Before You're Licensed?

At a few schools, yes. Lamar allows recent nursing graduates without a license to enroll provisionally in non-practicum courses, but you'll need an active, unencumbered RN license before starting any clinical or practicum work.

Find Online RN to MSN Programs

Learn.org offers information and resources to help you compare nursing pathways and decide whether an RN to MSN fits your career plans. Browse programs through Learn.org and connect directly with schools to get personalized details on admission requirements, concentrations, and clinical placement support.