Program:
Nursing

Degree Awarded:
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Length of Program:
Full-time: 10 semesters
Part-time: 14+ semesters

Application Deadlines:
Fall Semester: July 18
Spring Semester: Rolling Admissions
Summer Semester: Rolling Admissions
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100%

Online for theory coursework

Degree Overview

Designed for registered nurses holding a diploma or Associate’s degree in Nursing, the Clarkson College online RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program offers a pathway for earning graduate credits while completing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN).

As a student in the RN to MSN program, you first complete all RN to BSN requirements, along with select graduate-level courses that will apply toward your MSN degree. Once all undergraduate requirements are met, you will transition from the RN to BSN curriculum and follow your own custom-designed RN to MSN degree plan. 

Convenient for working nurses, the RN to MSN program is offered online, requiring minimal visits to campus for Nurse Practitioner majors. Our highly interactive web-based learning format allows you to correspond 24/7 with your classmates and faculty. With the goal of preparing well-educated and highly skilled advanced practice nurses, the program is designed to align with the core competencies outlined by the Institute of Medicine.

At the completion of the RN to MSN program, many students elect to complete an additional 21-29 credit hours of study in a specialty area:


Nursing Healthcare Administration

Educating nurses who wish to become nursing healthcare administrators (i.e., executives or managers). 
Degree Plan


Nursing Education

Educating nurses who wish to become academic or clinical nurse educators.
Degree Plan


Family Nurse Practitioner

Educating nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care of the individual and family in primary care settings.
Degree Plan


Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Educating nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care for patients in mental and/or behavioral health settings.
Degree Plan


Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Educating nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care to adult and gerontological patients in acute care settings.
Degree Plan

 

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) provides financial assistance to nurses enrolled in the Clarkson College Doctor in Healthcare Education & Leadership (Ed.D.) program or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nursing Education program option. The NFLP aims to assist registered nurses as they complete their education to become qualified nursing faculty. Recipients are required to teach for at least four consecutive years following graduation to be eligible for loan forgiveness through NFLP.

Learn more about the Nurse Faculty Loan Program

How we prepare
the best

  • Start dates for every semester
  • Theory coursework 100 percent online
  • Earn graduate credit hours while completing your baccalaureate degree
  • Bachelor’s degree attainable in as few as four semesters
  • Flexible course scheduling
  • Clinical/Practicum sites in or near your hometown
  • Compassionate, highly experienced faculty

Required Courses for RN to MSN

General Education Courses

(12 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses 3
IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses 3
IC HU EA - Healthcare Core Courses 3
IPE 301 - Interprofessional Education 0
ST 310 - Statistics OR
GR 847 - Applied Statistics
3
3
Total Semester Hours 12
Major Courses

(12 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
NS 352 - Evidence-Based Inquiry in Healthcare for the RN to BSN/MSN Student 2
NS 475 - Principles of Leadership and Management for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NS 481 - Population Health for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NS 482 - Capstone/Practicum for the RN to BSN/MSN 4
Total Semester Hours 12
Undergraduate Support Courses
Courses Semester Hours
NS 205 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology: Current Practices 3
Total Semester Hours 3

**Note: Upon successful completion of HC 205 Healthcare Science Update II, the student will receive three hours of earned semester hours and three hours of validation credit.

Major Courses 

84 semester hours are granted through either previous completion of direct coursework in an associate or diploma RN program or by validation credits (credit is granted after demonstration of equivalent knowledge).

Transition Courses

(7 semester hours)

Courses Semester Hours
NS 349 - Pathways for Success 1
NS 356 - Concepts of Professional Practice for the RN to BSN/MSN 3
NS 357 - Physical Assessment 3
Total Semester Hours 7

Upon successful completion of the transition courses, the student is eligible to take the remaining Undergraduate Nursing (BSN) courses.

MSN Core Requirement Courses
Courses Semester Hours
GR 798 - Essentials of Scholarly Writing 1
GR 847 - Applied Statistics 3
NS 807 - Theories and Concepts of Advanced Practice Roles 3
◊ NS 803 - Healthcare Delivery Systems and Managed Care 2
NS 805 - Application and Evaluation of Theory in Nursing 2
◊ NS 808 - Nursing Law and Ethics 3
NS 812 - Research Design and Methods 3
NS 813 - Research Design and Methods II 2
Total Semester Hours 19

Specialty Option Courses

Nursing Healthcare Administration

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become nursing health care administrators (i.e., executives or managers). The curriculum encompasses systems, leadership and organization information, including theoretical models and concepts that are relevant to the role of nursing health care administrator. Learners will review and evaluate several health care settings and identify strategies to manage those areas. This program option prepares the learner to engage in evidence-based, data-driven decision making while pursuing high quality health care that is safe, affordable and results in positive outcomes.

Courses Semester Hours
MB 800 - Ethics in Leadership 2
MB 808 - Healthcare Leadership 3
MB 826 - Healthcare Strategic Management 3
MB 828 - Financial Management in Healthcare 3
MB 833 - Healthcare Quality and Risk Management 3
MB 836 - Healthcare Project Management 3
NS 898 - Nursing Healthcare Leadership Practicum 3
MB 837 - Leading Change OR
MB 846 - Fundamentals of Informatics
3
3
Total Semester Hours 23
Nurse Educator

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become academic or clinical nurse educators. The evidence-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to acquire information about teaching and learning theories and strategies, curriculum or program development, and evaluation or assessment strategies while fostering an ethical perspective. These learners will also encounter technologies being used to deliver nursing education content and experiences, from classroom technologies to skills lab and simulation technologies. The nurse educator assumes the role of mentor, coach, guide and expert, nurturing student nurses and/or providing continuing professional development to registered or licensed practical nurses.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 806 - Theories of Learning for the Nurse Educator 3
◊ NS 822 - Curriculum Development for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 823 - Evaluation Strategies for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 826 - Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Health Assessment Overview for Nurse Educators 3
NS 827 - Teaching and Learning Strategies for the Nurse Educator 3
NS 894 - Nursing Education Practicum 3
NS 890 - Nurse Educator Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 20
Family Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care of the individual and family in primary care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, as well as recognized and evidence-based care standards to deliver family-centered care. The family nurse practitioner (FNP) assumes the role of educator, referral agent and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 832 - Primary Healthcare I 3
NS 833 - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 840 - Primary Care of Children and Adolescent 3
NS 842 - Primary Care of Women 3
NS 844 - Primary Healthcare II 3
NS 852 - Family Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 30
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care to adult and gerontological patients in acute care settings. Throughout this program option, the learner will develop an advanced nursing practice that encompasses concepts and theories related to nursing and health care, and will assume the role of educator, referral agent and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 833 - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 861 - Introduction to Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 862 - Applying Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 863 - Complex Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 864 - Advanced Acute Care Concepts 3
NS 854 - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 30
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

The goal of this program option is to educate nurses who wish to become advance practice providers promoting health and providing care for patients in mental and/or behavioral health settings. The learner will engage in identifying key concepts and theories related to psychiatric-mental health nursing, strategies for communicating clearly with patients, and evidence-based treatment options or plans that meet the unique needs of each patient. The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner takes on the roles of educator, communicator and advocate while providing care within an evolving health care system.

Courses Semester Hours
NS 830 - Advanced Physical Assessment 3
NS 833 - Foundations of Adult-Gerontologic Healthcare 2
◊ NS 834 - Advanced Nutrition 3
NS 835 - Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health 2
NS 836 - Pharmacology for Practitioners 3
NS 838 - Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NS 855 - Pharmacology for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 2
NS 856 - Introduction to Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 857 - Application of Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 858 - Complex Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 859 - Advanced Psychiatric-Mental Health Concepts 3
NS 860 - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Transition to Practice 2
Total Semester Hours 32

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Find out more information about costs, tuition, and fees.

Scholarships

Learn which scholarships you are eligible for as an in-coming or current student.
Learn More

Financial Aid

Explore the various loan and grant opportunities available to help fund your education.
Learn More

RN to MSN Tuition & Fees

Cost per Semester
$5,460 - Full-time (12 hrs)
$2,751 - Part-time (6 hrs)

Tuition
RN to BSN and RN to MSN - Undergraduate Nursing Courses$310 / credit-hour
Undergraduate Courses$632 / credit-hour
Graduate Courses$697 / credit-hour
Fees - Included in cost per semester
Enrollment Fee for first time students $150/ each
Degree Specific Fees - Not included in cost per semester
Interprofessional education – IPE Course Fee IPE 301 $124/ student
NS 807 Cultural Assessment Fee $82/ class
MSN: Typhon Only $100/ student
MSN: Graduate Weekend and Typhon (NS 830) $260/ student
HESI Pre-Cert for Nurse Practitioners (NS 852, NS 854, NS 860) $100/ student
Certification Fee - AANP $315/ student
Certification Fee - ANCC $395/ student
Certification Fee - ANCC for HCA $395/ student
Certification Fee for NE only - CNE $500/ student

Career Overview

Median Salary

$93,044
Payscale.com, 2019

Job Outlook

Overall employment of nurse practitioners is projected to grow 26 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. 
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.