A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can provide plenty of opportunities. With this degree, you can pursue MSN roles in leadership and management, technology, education and patient care.
Depending on your role specialty and program entry, a quality MSN program can take two to 3.7 years.Time to completion may vary by student depending on individual progress, traditional versus accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors. Read on for specifics about how long it takes to get your MSN—whether RN to MSN or BSN entry—and how to choose the right program.
Master’s in Nursing Program Entries
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) has different programs that allow you to earn an advanced nursing degree for different role specialties. These specialties range from Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) to Nurse Executive (NE), and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The Nurse Executive program is BSN-entry only, but the other programs offer both BSN- and RN to MSN-entry options.
RN to MSN Entry
| Role Specialty | Credit Hours | Practicum Hours | Trimesters | YearsTime to completion may vary by student depending on individual progress, traditional versus accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Nurse Practitioner | 59 | 585 | 10 | 3.3 |
| PMHNP | 64 | 630 | 11 | 3.7 | AGNP | 64 | 630 | 10 | 3.3 |
Registered nurses can pursue several USAHS MSN programs ranging from 3.3 to 3.7 years in length.Time to completion may vary by student depending on individual progress, traditional versus accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors. The different role specialties USAHS offers include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
- Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
BSN Entry
| Role Specialty | Credit Hours | Practicum Hours | Trimesters | YearsTime to completion may vary by student depending on individual progress, traditional versus accelerated pathway, credits transferred and other factors. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Nurse Practitioner | 50 | 585 | 8 | 2.7 |
| PMHNP | 55 | 630 | 9 | 3 | AGNP | 55 | 630 | 8 | 2.7 | Nurse Executive | 36 | 225 | 6 | 2 |
The BSN-entry is for those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), for which USAHS offers four different role specialty programs. In addition to the RN to MSN entry programs, the BSN-entry route offers a Nurse Executive role specialty. These programs are slightly shorter than the RN-entry programs and typically take between two to three years to complete.
USAHS MSN Admission Requirements
To begin your path to earning an MSN, there are different admission requirements. These requirements vary between RN and BSN entries and must be submitted by candidates to be considered for admission. Whether you’re coming in as an RN or with a BSN, both programs require the following:
- Official transcripts from previous college or university
- Evidence of an unrestricted/unencumbered RN license in the state of residence
- Comprehensive background checks
- Two professional references
- An interview if requested
If you’re entering as an RN, you will need an associate degree in nursing (ADN) along with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. As an RN, you will also need a CV or professional resume with one full-time year of experience as an RN.
For BSN-entry, you will need your BSN and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must also have one full-time year of experience as an RN before starting their first practicum course. This program entry requires a 500-word essay discussing both short- and long-term goals and a plan to achieve them.
How to Choose an MSN Program
The cost of an MSN degree can range from $28,003.00 to $56,135.00, and can take two to 3.7 years to complete. Discover the qualities to look for in an MSN program to help you make an informed decision before applying. Here are three things you can consider:
- Search for accredited programs that match your education level: Accreditation shows that the university meets a certain level of quality.1 The MSN program should list its accreditation clearly on its website. You can find USAHS’ information on our accreditation page.
- Determine your preferred program length: Universities may have different timelines for how long it takes to get your MSN. Some universities, like USAHS, offer accelerated programs to shorten the program length.
- Decide on your specialty: Before choosing an MSN program, see what types of role specialties they offer and if they fit your career goals.
Pursue Your MSN at USAHS
Whether you’re an RN or have a BSN, USAHS has flexible programs to help you earn an advanced education. We have both RN- and BSN-entry MSN programs at our five campuses throughout the country. We offer online courses as well. To get started, apply today.
Sources:
- U.S. Department of Education, “Accreditation in the United States,” U.S. Department of Education, https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation.html
