Accelerated MSN Program

With us behind you, you are ready to answer your calling

Program Details

Completion: 
As few as 3 years

Next Start Date: 
Jan 06

Accreditation: 
CCNE

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Accelerated MSN Online 

Designed by working nurses for working nurses, our Accelerated MSN specialization offers you the flexibility and community support to keep you moving forward. 

Earn Your MSN in as Little as Six Months

Take three courses per session so you can advance your skills faster.  

Control Assignment Deadlines

You decide when to turn in assignments, giving you the flexibility you need to balance earning your degree with work.

Zero Tests 

Demonstrate coursework mastery through assignments — not exams.

Personal Faculty Mentor 

Partner with an experienced faculty mentor who directly supports you with your assignments, practicum experience and more.

The Accelerated MSN specialization prepares you for roles in areas including:1:
  • Nurse leadership  
  • Research  
  • Public health  
  • Quality improvement  
  • Community health  
  • Healthcare consulting 

1Some careers may require several years of experience in addition to educational credentials. 

Online Accelerated MSN Program

Flexibility for your work-life-school balance.

Overview: Explore our Accelerated MSN specialization, the most flexible way to earn your degree. Choose your own due dates within an eight-week session and take up to three courses at once.

What you’ll learn: Broaden your scope and gain exposure to areas including leadership, education, informatics and more.

What you’ll do: Prepare for diverse nursing roles by applying a systems approach focused on leadership, collaboration, interdisciplinary engagement and process improvement.

Ready to learn more? We’re here to help. 

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Accelerated MSN Specialization Courses

The Accelerated MSN specialization consists of nine courses.

See full curriculum.

Accelerated MSN Specialization Courses

NR-518: Population Health and Epidemiology in Nursing Practice (4 credits)

This course introduces the concepts of population-focused professional nursing. Utilizing levels of prevention as a framework, theories, principles and concepts of community, population and global health are explored. Through the lens of health promotion and disease prevention, predictive factors that influence health of individuals, aggregates and populations are explored. Epidemiological principles, processes and methods are emphasized to examine the impact of environmental issues and risk factors to local and global population health. 

NR-519: Adv Nursing Practice Across the Health Continuum: Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, & Pharmacology (3 credits)

This course focuses on advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology as a foundation for advanced nursing practice. Learning centers on application of advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology to provide holistic, comprehensive care to individuals across the life span. Implications for advanced nursing practice will be emphasized. 

NR-520: Applied Theoretical Foundations, Scientific Inquiry, and Decision-Making (4 credits)

This course integrates quality science, theory, and evidence-based practice in the context of interdisciplinary, coordinated, and ethical healthcare delivery. Students explore nursing and healthcare related theories applicable to practice experiences and research findings. Influences of healthcare policy and frameworks for ethical-decision making are also addressed. 

NR-527: Communication and Collaboration for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 credits)

This course emphasizes advanced communication skills and collaboration strategies at the interpersonal, population and systems levels. Use of contemporary methods for communication and collaboration are explored, utilized and evaluated. 

NR-528: Leading and Managing Evidence-Based Change in Nursing (3 credits)

This course focuses on skill development of the master’s prepared nurse in leading and managing change in healthcare delivery settings. Students will explore principles for cultivating a culture of collegial support and respect that facilitates evidence-based innovation to produce positive health outcomes. Strategies for gathering and utilizing evidence to support organizational systems, transformation and growth are emphasized. 

NR-529: Leadership and Management Within the Clinical Healthcare Environment (3 credits)

This course focuses on advanced leadership and management processes and skills needed to ensure safe, high-quality, person-centered nursing care. Expansion of decision-making skills and management of human resources and patient-care environments within the context of point-of-care coordination is emphasized. Critical elements including person-centered care, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, safety, advocacy and informatics are addressed. 

NR-561: Addressing Global Health Disparities (3 credits)

This course explores global health inequities and examines strategies to address health disparities of selected populations. The ways in which globalization has changed patterns of the spread of disease and methods to control disease are examined. The role of the global nurse is emphasized as a catalyst for affecting positive change and improving health and healthcare outcomes. 

NR-562: Leadership and Management Within Complex Healthcare Systems (3 credits)

This course focuses on advanced processes and skills needed to support safe, high-quality nursing care through leadership and management at the organizational and systems level. A major focus is connecting, challenging and embracing change improvement within complex healthcare settings. The influence of systems level concepts on providing quality and safe person-centered nursing care are addressed. Principles related to healthcare problems and solution strategies within the environment of care are emphasized. 

NR-662: Advanced Nursing Role Synthesis (4 credits)

This course requires demonstration of student synthesis of all concepts of the leadership and management, delivery of nursing services, and educational components with role immersion through completion of a scholarly evidence-based process-improvement project. Students produce a submission-ready manuscript and poster as part of the dissemination of their work. 

L=Lab hours 
C=Clinical hours (direct patient care)

1As part of this course, students will attend an on-ground immersion weekend. The purpose of the immersion is to provide students with an opportunity to interact with professors and fellow students as well as to observe, participate and be evaluated on clinical assessment skills. The immersion weekend allows faculty to assess each student’s clinical competency before entering clinical rotations.

2As part of this course, students will attend an on-ground intensive review weekend that focuses on final student preparation for advanced practice. 

Family nurse practitioner with baby and mom

Practicum Commitment™ 

Dedicated support when you need it most. 

The Practicum Commitment™ is designed to ensure that you receive the essential practicum experiences needed on your path to completing your FNP degree. To help prepare you for Family Nurse Practitioner practicum courses, you will be paired with our Experiential Learning team, who will provide resources throughout the process, including coaching sessions and tips on how to approach a potential site. We are committed to helping you successfully secure any needed practicum sites/preceptor to complete your degree.

Practicum Commitment™ supports you with:

  • Comprehensive practicum readiness tools  
  • A streamlined contracting procedure for sites, preceptors and Chamberlain University
  • A dedicated team of academic support advisors available for student assistance 

See full Practicum Commitment™.

Learn more about our Practicum Commitment™. 

Practicum Commitment Support Qualifications

You may be eligible* if you meet the following requirements:

  1. Request assistance at least three sessions (approximately six months) prior to starting each practicum course for which you are requesting support 
  2. You can document at least three sites that have denied your practicum requests
  3. Complete any professional preparation tasks (if applicable) as assigned by an Experiential Learning Specialist (ELS) or other member of the Clinical Operations team. 
     

*This service is for students in post-licensure nursing programs, graduate certificate programs and College of Health Professions. The Practicum Commitment excludes pre-licensure programs, BSN online, and Master of Physician Assistant.. If the preceptor, mentor and/or field instructor you are submitting for Chamberlain University’s review and approval was found using a student-arranged third-party preceptor matching service, please be advised that Chamberlain University will not reimburse any fees you may have incurred.

Mentor Collaboration

Collaborate with a proven nurse leader and integrate the competencies for population health professionals. 

Applied Learning

Implement many of the concepts, principles and skills learned during the program in a real-world setting. 

Expand Your Network

Network with the healthcare community and staff as you prepare to work as a leader in a variety of healthcare settings. 

Impact Your Organization

Lead population health initiatives as innovative roles for nurses continue to emerge. 

Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Practicum 

After completing your core nursing coursework, you’ll take part in a 144-hour hands-on practicum experience, where you’ll choose a quality improvement (QI) project. You’ll partner closely with your mentor to find a project that aligns with your mentor’s location and area of expertise.

Recent practicum projects include introducing a 10-minute mindfulness break to reduce stress during shifts, enhancing clinical expertise through simulation-based scenarios and implementing a process to reduce pressure injuries in patients. 

Still have questions? 
Let us help you.

Request information to connect with an Enrollment Representative.

Find out more about our Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program.
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You’re more than just a GPA or an application

If your CGPA falls below our requirements - in the range of 2.5 to 2.99 - you may still be considered for provisional acceptance into the online Master of Science in Nursing program.

Apply Now

Accelerated MSN Specialization Admission Requirements

How do I get started?

For your Accelerated MSN specialization application, you should have:

  • A degree in nursing at the bachelor’s level or higher from an accredited institution
  • A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • A current active and unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)

Can I transfer credits into the Accelerated MSN specialization?

Yes, but there are guidelines, requirements and restrictions. General guidelines for transfer credits include:

  • A maximum of six semester hours may be accepted toward your MSN degree.
  • Core coursework must have been completed within the past seven years for transfer; specialty coursework must have been completed within the past five years.
  • A grade of B or higher is required for transfer credits.

Our Enrollment team can get you started on a transcript evaluation so you’ll know exactly what will transfer in before making your enrollment decision.

Learn more in our transfer guide. 

Accelerated MSN Admission FAQ

Is the online Accelerated MSN specialization accredited?

Yes. Chamberlain’s MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE). Chamberlain’s BSN, DNP and post graduate APRN certificate programs are also accredited by CCNE. Chamberlain University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation.

How long does it take to complete the Accelerated MSN specialization?

The Accelerated MSN specialization can be completed in as few as six months, or 1.5 semesters, with full time enrollment, taking three courses per semester for 1.5 semesters each year.  

What if I don’t meet the minimum GPA requirement?

If your cumulative GPA falls below our requirements — in the range of 2.5 to 2.99 — you may still be considered for provisional acceptance into the online Accelerated MSN specialization. Speak with our Enrollment team for more information. 

Want to know more? We’re here to help. 

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Trying to save money?

View our financial aid page for great options to help you cover the cost of tuition.  

View Financial Aid Options

Tuition & Expenses 

Attending an MSN program is a significant investment in your future, and we’re here to help guide you in creating a financial plan that will help you achieve this very important goal. More than 90% of Chamberlain students receive some form of financial assistance. 

View tuition and expenses information for the MSN degree program. 

Many Ways to Save 

Explore a wide range of financial aid available to Chamberlain students. 

Become Extraordinary Grant 

The Become Extraordinary Grant offers 15% tuition savings for MSN students who qualify.  

Become Extraordinary Grant

DAISY Honoree Scholarship  

Every DAISY Award recipient is eligible to receive tuition savings of 5%. 

DAISY Honoree Scholarship

Military Rates 

Special rates are reserved for members of our nation’s military community and their spouses. 

Resources for Military

Accelerated Master’s in Nursing Program FAQ

How many years does it take to go from BSN to MSN?

With full-time enrollment, you can complete a BSN at Chamberlain in as few as three years, and Chamberlain’s Accelerated MSN program can be completed in six months. That means you could complete both a BSN and MSN at Chamberlain in less than four years. 

Can you get your MSN right after your BSN?

Yes. As soon as you have completed your BSN degree, you are eligible to enter an MSN program. Chamberlain’s RN-BSN to MSN program even allows you to apply for admission to the MSN degree program prior to completing your BSN degree at Chamberlain, meaning you can complete your BSN while enrolled in the MSN program — helping you save money and time. 

Can you skip BSN and go to MSN?

Yes. If you are already an RN, you can apply to Chamberlain’s Accelerated RN to MSN specialization, which confers an MSN degree without a BSN. This allows you to earn your MSN faster, without getting bogged down by prerequisites. 

How to Apply 

If you are interested in attending our MSN program, we are here to help. We are committed to providing you a seamless and enjoyable experience, and we understand your busy lifestyle. 
Speak with our Enrollment Reps. 

Our Enrollment team is here to support you and will help determine which specialization fits your goals, walk you through the application process and answer your questions.  
Start or complete your application.  

Applications can be submitted online. Your Enrollment representative will help you through the process. To apply over the phone or get help with your online application, call 630‐317‐9310. 
Complete your admission steps. 

Your Enrollment Representative will guide you through completing your registration documents and steps.  
Register for courses! 

Following acceptance and completion of your registration documents, you will register for courses and start once the session begins. 

An Accredited FNP Program

View Chamberlain’s accreditation and state authorizations

Chamberlain University accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.com  an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.

Practicum option availability varies by state/location. Chamberlain reserves the right to update information as it becomes available. For a complete list, and to learn more, check out our authorizations or view our approvals in your state. 

 

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