Master of Science in Nursing

MSN Program and Tracks

Chamberlain College of Nursing’s online Master of Science in Nursing degree program offers you the flexibility needed to pursue a degree while continuing to work.

Chamberlain’s online MSN program combines convenient online courses, supportive faculty and rich practicum experiences designed to prepare you to change your nursing practice in one of five nursing specialties:

  • Nurse Educator
  • Nurse Executive
  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nursing Informatics
  • Healthcare Policy

Read more about Chamberlain's Specialty Tracks.

Chamberlain is like family, they care for every student. The instructors are knowledgeable, professional and caring. I am so glad I became part of the Chamberlain community.

Chamberlain MSN Student

Educator Track

Specialty Tracks

Choose from one of five nursing specialties

Family Nurse Practitioner

The FNP curriculum begins with MSN degree core courses in nursing theory, research, leadership, professional role development, healthcare policy and informatics in healthcare. You’ll then move to FNP specialty courses, building on your professional nursing practice and knowledge as you prepare to sit for national certification as a family nurse practitioner.

The practicum courses of the FNP specialty track allow for both hands-on and classroom learning designed to help you become a confident practitioner. We strongly recommend you review the practicum requirements before applying to the FNP Specialty Track.

The Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track prepares you for roles* including:

  • College Health
  • Family Practice
  • Health Department
  • Internal Medicine
  • Pediatric Primary Care
  • Retail Clinics
  • Women’s Health 

View the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty track curriculum plan.

Nurse Executive

Chamberlain College of Nursing’s MSN Executive Specialty Track promotes skills and knowledge that nurse leaders can implement immediately, as well as use to plan for and achieve change. Coursework emphasizes the application of theory, using real-world scenarios and tools. Key executive skills such as effectively communicating across disciplines, budgeting, staffing, and performance measurement are taught. Students complete a 144-hour practicum in their own geographic area, allowing them to further develop their skills with the support of an experienced nurse leader.

To learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Executive Specialty Track, call 877.751.5783 or request information.

The Executive Specialty Track prepares you for roles* including:

  • College Nursing Program Dean
  • Director of Nursing
  • Educational Leadership
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Nurse Coordinator
  • Nurse Manager

Healthcare Policy

The Healthcare Policy curriculum trains nurses in the research, design and implementation of policies, as well as evaluation of policy outcomes.

Coursework includes the foundations of healthcare policy, principles of healthcare systems, politics, economics and policy, global health, and nursing leadership in the public policy arena.

To learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing Healthcare Policy Specialty Track, call 877.751.5783 or request information.

The Healthcare Policy Specialty Track prepares you for roles* including:

  • Director of Nursing
  • Director of Public Health Policy and Practice Advocacy
  • Global Health Positions (e.g. World Health Organization)
  • Health Communications Coordinator
  • Health Services Consultant
  • Infection Control Nurse (Entry-Level to Executive)
  • Legislative Staff Member/Consultant (Full-Time Positions)
  • Policy Writer/Presenter (Organizations, Companies, Government)
  • Public Health (Entry-Level to Executive)
  • Research Project Coordinator
  • Senior Healthcare Quality Researcher

Nursing Informatics

The Informatics curriculum teaches you to interpret, analyze and use electronic health record technology, as well as empowers you to be more efficient and effective in healthcare practices.

Coursework includes the practice of nursing informatics, management of data and information, healthcare information workflow and project management.

To learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing Informatics Specialty Track, call 877.751.5783 or request information.

The Informatics Specialty track prepares you for roles* including:

  • Application/Systems Analyst
  • Clinical Informatics Analyst
  • Clinical Informatics Project Coordinator/Manager
  • Clinical/Systems Team Manager
  • Director of Nursing Informatics/Information Systems
  • Global Health Positions (e.g. World Health Organization)
  • Health Outcomes Analytics Manager
  • Informatics Technology Clinical Nurse
  • Nursing Informatics Specialist

Nurse Educator

MSN Nurse Educator coursework includes educational foundations, instructional methods, program assessment and evaluation and curriculum development.

Students complete a 144-hour practicum in their own geographic location, allowing them to further develop their skills with the support of an experienced nurse educator.

To learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Educator Specialty Track, call 877.751.5783 or request information.

The MSN Educator specialty track prepares you for roles* including:

  • Community Health Leader
  • Coordinator of Education (Clinical Facility)
  • Educational Consultant
  • Educational Entrepreneur
  • Educational Leadership
  • Educational Specialist (Drug, Research or Medical Equipment Company)
  • Nurse Educator/College Professor
  • Patient Educator (Various Venues)
  • Staff Development Leader
Nurse Educator
Nursing Informatics
Nurse Executive
Healthcare Policy
Family Nurse Practitioner
*Some careers may require several years of experience in addition to educational credentials.

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MSN Curriculum FAQs

What does a specialty track mean?
Can I take a break or do I have to continue straight through?
Do I have to find my own preceptor or mentor?
Can I complete my practicum hours where I work?
How many students are in each class?
Is there a graduation ceremony?

Accelerated MSN

Accelerated MSN Option and Accelerated MSN with Clinical Nursing Leadership Option

The Accelerated MSN Option and Accelerated MSN with Clinical Nursing Leadership Option are designed to prepare nurses for a variety of advanced roles in nursing practice, including those that require skill in delivering direct and indirect care; leading healthcare initiatives; and educating patients, staff and the community.

  • Complete the Accelerated MSN Option in as few as 1.5 semesters
  • Complete the Accelerated MSN with Clinical Nursing Leadership Option in as few as 2.5 semesters

In addition to the 144 hours of required practicum learning in the final required course of the Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing Option, students may choose to complete additional elective practicum hours in two additional 8-week sessions with 144 hours of practicum in each session. This ensures the completion of the 432 practicum hours required to qualify to take the CNL™ certification exam.

Request information to learn more about the Accelerated MSN Options or call 877.751.5783 to speak with an admission representative.

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Accelerated MSN Options FAQ

What is the difference between the traditional MSN degree program and the Accelerated MSN Options
Will students who enroll in the Accelerated MSN Options have the ability to transfer to the regular MSN degree program, and vice versa?
How many credits hours do I need to complete in the Accelerated MSN Options?
Can I transfer credits for the Accelerated MSN Options?

One-on-One Support

Can I do this?

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MSN Program FAQs

What if I’m unable to get a preceptor or practicum site on my own?
What technologies will I need to go to class?
Can I switch specialty tracks if I decide I want another concentration during my program? What if I am undecided on my track half way through the program?
How many classes do you recommend I take at a time?
How will I communicate with my professors?
How can I find out if I qualify for tuition savings?

Classes begin every 8 weeks.

Admissions representatives can answer your questions, tell you more about financial aid and scholarships, and discuss with you how this option might fit into your life. Request more information or call 877-751-5783.

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Admissions

How do I get in?

Admissions

Admission Requirements

A degree in nursing at the bachelor’s level or higher from an institution accredited by either a regional accrediting agency or an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)*

  • A minimum undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or
  • A minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale based on 9 or more semester hours of graduate coursework
  • Current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN. Before entering any clinical/practicum courses, students must provide proof of current, active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state where the student will conduct the clinical(s). Students who fail to maintain an active, unrestricted license throughout their clinical/practicum courses do not meet the clinical/practicum requirements and cannot progress. Students are expected to maintain RN licensure throughout the entire program of study as a professional best-practice.
Provisional Admission (not applicable for FNP specialty track)

Provisional Admission (not applicable for FNP specialty track)

Applicants who meet all general admission requirements to the Master of Science in Nursing degree program, but who have a CGPA for the BSN degree between 2.75 to 2.99, may be granted provisional admission and placed on academic warning. See the Academic Warning sections for additional information. Provisional admission is not granted for the graduate certificate program.

Our admission representatives are available to answer your questions about admission requirements and walk you through the application process. Call 877.751.5783 to speak to a representative or request more information.

Transfer Students

  1. Double-check full requirements

    Take a look at the full Transfer Student Guide to make sure your courses meet transfer requirements.

  2. Request Evaluation

    Request a credit evaluation prior to your first semester and provide
    an official transcript.

  3. Learn about Proficiency Credits

    Upon acceptance you’ll be awarded 77 proficiency credits through the Chamberlain College Articulation Programs (CCAP).

Tuition & Expenses

What types of financial assistance are available?

MSN Program Costs

Chamberlain provides you with individualized support throughout your educational journey beginning with the admissions process. Your admissions representative will work with you to build a schedule that will work with your life and finances, whether that's one class or three. Check out the Net Price Calculator for an estimate of federal and institutional aid. 

View tuition and expenses information for the MSN degree program.

Financial Aid Options

We're Here to Help

Our admissions representatives can help you find out what financial options are available to you.

Request More Info

Partner Tuition Rates

Chamberlain partners with healthcare institutions, community colleges and associations to provide accessible educational opportunities for registered nurses. 

See if your employer, community college or association has an education partnership with Chamberlain that could provide you with tuition savings.

$3,500 in Scholarships Available

View Graduate and External Scholarship opportunities. 

Accreditation

Accreditation, State Authorizations & Approvals

Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing program, master's degree in nursing program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation.

CCNE