Best Online Master’s in Nursing Degree Programs

Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, the University of Mary is a private, Christian, Catholic, Benedictine university that welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. Mary was an early adopter of distance-education programs, which focused on helping nontraditional students. The university currently offers several online master’s of science in nursing programs that are open to nurses with a wide variety of educational backgrounds. Offerings include an ADN-to-MSN degree program in nursing leadership and management, a BSN-to-MSN degree program with specialty tracks in nursing leadership and management and nurse educator, an MSN in nursing and health care informatics, and a dual-degree MSN-MBA in health care administration. All of University of Mary's online MSN degrees are designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals and can be completed entirely online with no residency requirements. Accelerated coursework options are also available.

The University of Texas Medical Branch, located in Galveston, Texas, offers an online master’s of science in nursing program that prepares graduates to improve and influence health care policy through research and clinical practice. UTMB's MSN degree has seven specialty tracks, including adult/gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, executive nurse leader, and family nurse practitioner. All tracks (except for the executive track) share a common seven-course core curriculum; specialties build on this core to prepare nurses for advanced practice. Coursework is offered online through the Blackboard learning management system, and students can complete the required clinical practice hours in their own geographic area. However, several visits to the Galveston campus are required to obtain specific clinical experiences and assessments. The above programs require between 39 and 49 semester credit hours to complete. Graduate students may transfer up to 12 credit hours into their nursing program.

George Washington University is located in Washington, D.C. The school’s nursing program focuses on improving health care-related policy decisions to provide better health care for underserved communities around the globe. To accomplish this goal, GW offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with specialty tracks in adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery (offered in collaboration with Shenandoah University), and nursing leadership and management. All coursework for these MSN online programs can be completed remotely; however, some specialty tracks require students to complete multiple on-campus components for skills intensives, which are accomplished at simulation training centers through assessments. All online MSN degree tracks are offered with both full-time and part-time enrollment options. GW also offers an RN-MSN bridge option that allows students with an associate degree in nursing (or a non-nursing bachelor's degree) to enter a master's program.

Located in Columbus, Ohio State University is one of the country's premier research institutions. It offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with specialty tracks that prepare students to work as family nurse practitioners, neonatal nurse practitioners, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. The coursework for these MSN online programs can be completed remotely without any residency requirements. Graduates complete coursework, research, and clinical experiences in various settings, including at clinics, hospitals, private practices, government agencies, and managed care organizations. Graduates are eligible to take certification exams in various specialty areas and are prepared to work in a variety of clinical settings ranging from private practices and to managed care organizations and governmental agencies. Distance learners are supported by a variety of services, including academic advising, library access, and options to study abroad. Online students are also eligible to join the Council of Graduate Students.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers an online master’s of science in nursing with concentration options in nursing administration and nursing education. Designed for working registered nurses, coursework is delivered in both asynchronous and synchronous online formats. Class sizes are small and both concentrations boast job placement rates of more than 90%. The nursing administration concentration includes 425 clinical practicum hours, while the nursing education concentration requires 225 clinical practicum hours. The locations of clinical practica are determined by a student's area of interest and their geographic location. Students may also be interested in the dual MSN/MBA degree in health management, which is offered jointly by the school of nursing and the school of business and economics. The dual degree includes a mix of online and on-campus coursework.

Sacred Heart University, located in Fairfield, Connecticut, offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with four specialization tracks: clinical nurse leader (CNL), nursing management and executive leadership (NMEL), nursing education, and family nurse practitioner (FNP). These programs are designed for professional nurses and can be completed at a student's own pace as long as they are finished within a period of six years. Additionally, students do not need to declare a specialization until halfway through the program, giving them time to explore their options.

The CNL track includes 348 hours of role immersion, while the NMEL and nursing education tracks have 120 clinical practicum hours. The FNP track requires students to attend an on-site orientation and two on-site competency assessments. Coursework for the other specializations can be completed entirely online, and practicums can be completed in the student's geographic area. Sacred Heart also offers an online RN-BSN-MSN program that combines BSN and MSN studies.

Maryville University, in St. Louis, Missouri, offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with five specialty track options: family nurse practitioner (FNP), adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP), adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP), pediatric (primary care) nurse practitioner (PNP), and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). Because these tracks are designed for working professional, all coursework can be completed online with no residency requirements. Practicums can also be completed at a facility that is local to a student. All tracks require students to take many of the same core courses, but the clinical hour requirements and electives vary. The FNP, AGPCNP, and AGACNP programs admit students six times a year, while the PNP and PMHNP programs have three entry points per year. Additionally, Maryville University's online MSN program does not require students to submit GRE or GMAT scores for admission.

Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chatham University is a private school that offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with specialty tracks in leadership, education, and informatics. Each speciality requires students to take a series of five specialized three-credit classes, in addition to the core MSN coursework. The program is delivered completely online through 14-week courses. The final two semesters of this online MSN program include practicums with a preceptor who works in the student's desired area of specialty. Students are required to complete at least 120 hours with their preceptor.

Students may choose to enroll in the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students can complete the program in four sequential semesters, while part-time students can earn their degree in six semesters.

The University of Colorado - Denver's college of nursing offers one of the best MSN online programs in the country with specialty tracks in leadership and health care informatics. Both tracks can be completed online with no residency requirements, and students can work with faculty to set up clinical practicums in their geographic area. The leadership track, which is referred to as the innovation in leadership and administration in nursing and health care systems program, prepares students to become leaders who promote social justice by increasing the access, quality, and socio-cultural acceptability of health care through relationship-centered caring, advocacy, and empowerment. Alternatively, the health care informatics concentration teaches students to plan, select, design, and implement emerging technologies to advance consumer engagement, support clinical decision making, promote safety, and drive quality care. Distance learners interact with their teachers through webinars, video conferencing, and social networking tools. Students who live in a state that is a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education may be eligible for in-state tuition rates.

Mount Carmel College of Nursing, located in Columbus, Ohio, offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with a track in nursing education. This online MSN program was designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program and want to either teach nursing in an academic setting or take on staff development duties in a health care setting. Students learn to apply relevant nursing education research and examine the ethical and legal issues surrounding the role of a nursing educator. Students conclude their education with a 150-hour practicum. The program can be completed by part-time students in three years over the course of seven semesters. It is recommend that applicants have at least one year of recent clinical experience.

The University of Pittsburgh, located in the city’s Oakland neighborhood, offers two of the best MSN online programs through its school of nursing: the master’s of science for clinical nurse leaders (CNL) and the master’s of science in nursing informatics. The CNL degree program's didactic portion can be completed entirely online, and the 420 required clinical hours can usually be obtained at a facility within the student's own community. Pitt's nursing informatics track emphasizes leadership development in nursing by teaching students how to manage and process data in order to create information databases and build knowledge. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the nursing informatics certification exam. Both MSN concentrations can be completed in part-time or full-time formats. Some courses require that exams be proctored, but distance learners can work with Pitt Online to find an approved testing center that is located near their home.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers one the best MSN online programs with specialties in community/public health, nursing administration, and nursing education. These programs can be completed on a part-time basis in 27 months, 27 months, and 30 months, respectively, and all specialty tracks can be completed entirely online. The community/public health focus teaches students how to assess communities and populations, identify high risk groups, and develop culturally-sensitive and realistic community-based nursing procedures. The administration specialty prepares nurses for administrative roles, such as nurse executives or quality improvement managers, at community agencies, health care facilities, and schools of nursing. Finally, graduates of the education track can enter academic positions teaching nursing at the entry and RN-to-BSN levels. Students traditionally begin their program in the summer term but can enroll before any semester. UNC at Charlotte also offers an accelerated RN-to-MSN degree program.

Michigan State University, located in East Lansing, offers an adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist program with a nurse education concentration. This prepares nurses to carry out the responsibilities of clinical nurse specialists and develops their skills as educators. MSN program coursework is delivered entirely online through the D2L course management system. However, students are also required to attend a one-day on-campus orientation at the start of the program. Students can complete their required clinical experiences at a location near their home. 2016 graduates of this program had a 100% pass rate for the AG-CNS and ACCNS-AG certification exams. This program has a fall start date and applications are accepted until March 1. Only residents from Michigan state can apply for admission into this MSN degree program.

The University of Central Florida is located in Orlando and offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with specialized nursing leadership and management and nurse educator tracks. Both of these concentrations can be completed online, but students are required to visit the Orlando campus for program orientation and to present their master's evidence-based project. UCF also offers an MSN specialty track in nursing and health care simulation. This program requires students to attend intensives on campus, but most coursework is delivered online. The nursing and health care simulation track can be completed on a full-time basis in four semesters or on a part-time basis in five semesters. Graduates of these programs are prepared to assume a variety of roles, including nursing managers, health care administrators, and chief nursing officers.

Samford University is a Christian school located in Birmingham, Alabama. It offers an online master’s of science in nursing with a nurse educator specialization. The curriculum for this program can be completed by full-time students in five semesters. Distance learners must also visit the Birmingham campus to attend three required sessions over the course of the program and a mandatory three-day on-campus orientation at the beginning of their coursework. Practicum experiences are part of the program's core curriculum and can be arranged to be completed at a facility close to a student's home.

Students admitted into this program may be able to obtain funding through the federal Nurse Faculty Loan Program. These funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon graduating, students who teach for four years at a school of nursing can have up to 85% of their loans forgiven.

Saint Xavier University, located in Chicago, Illinois, was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1846. Education at SXU is inspired by its Catholic identity and Mercy heritage. The university offers an online master’s of science in nursing with specialization track options in clinical leadership and executive leadership. SXU’s school of nursing has been designated by the National League for Nursing as one of the Centers of Excellence, which is a prestigious distinction in nursing education. The clinical leadership track is designed for nurses who want to stay close to patient care and combines advanced clinical nursing skills with evidence-based practice and leadership tools. Alternatively, the executive leadership track teaches students to become leaders in nursing administration and covers the organizational and administrative aspects of the nursing practice.

Indiana University - Purdue University, located in Indianapolis, offers an online master’s of science in nursing with a specialty track in nursing education. This program prepares students to teach at nursing and technical schools, community colleges, hospitals, and in private industry settings. Offered through the Indiana University school of nursing, the nursing education program includes coursework in nursing education theory, principles, and practices. The program culminates with a capstone cluster. 225 supervised practicum hours are also required, which can be completed in the student's local geographic area. The university utilizes the online learning management system Canvas, which provides many options for collaborative learning through problem-based coursework and web-conferencing. This degree can be completed by full-time students in two years and by part-time students in three years. Graduates of the program are eligible take the National League for Nursing's certified nurse educator examination.

The University of Kansas, located in Lawrence, offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree program with tracks in nursing informatics, organizational leadership, and public health nursing. All required coursework is delivered fully online, but new graduate students are required to attend a one-day on-campus orientation program that is held the week before classes begin. As part of the curriculum, all MSN students are also required to complete a two-credit-hour research project under the supervision of a graduate faculty member. Each specialty area includes practicum experiences, which provide students an opportunity to apply their acquired skills and knowledge in one or more health care settings. Depending on the student's chosen track, the MSN degree program requires between 37 and 39 credit hours. Full-time students can complete the online MSN program in two years, while part-time students can earn their degree in three to four years.

The University of St. Francis is a Catholic university located in Joliet, Illinois. The school offers an online master’s of science in nursing degree. This program gives students the option to choose from four online concentrations: family nurse practitioner, psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, nursing administration, and nursing education. All of these MSN specialty tracks build competencies in promoting patient-centered care, synthesizing theoretical concepts, engaging in scientific inquiry, and carrying out evidence-based practice. Graduates will be prepared to assume leadership roles in the field of nursing and incorporate their educational experiences and research into practices that are reflective of the dynamic needs of diverse populations. The University of St. Francis also offers an accelerated online RN-BSN-MSN program for registered nurses with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree.

The University of Texas at Arlington offers an online master’s of science in nursing with specialty track options in nursing administration and nursing education. The nursing administration track can be completed in as little as 18 months, while the nursing education track can be completed in 19-21 months. UTA also offers accelerated online MSN degree programs in several nurse practitioner tracks, including family nurse practitioner, pediatric primary care, pediatric acute care, adult gerontology acute care, and adult gerontology primary care. A majority of the courses in these programs are offered in sequential five-week sessions through an online, asynchronous learning environment. For students interested in a more traditionally-paced online learning format, the neonatal nurse practitioner program is an option. Furthermore, the UTA offers a flexible, accelerated online RN-to-MSN program, which can be completed by full-time students in 36 months.