Advance your RN degree by earning your BSN, MSN or both online
RN to MSN Nursing Degree Options at a Glance
Home to the largest RN to MSN program in the United States, Chamberlain gives you options for earning your MSN degree online. As a registered nurse with an active RN license looking to earn your MSN, you can enroll in our RN-BSN to MSN Option or our Accelerated MSN Option.
Our RN-BSN to MSN Online Option allows you to complete coursework at your own pace. Or enroll in one of Chamberlain’s Accelerated RN to MSN Options and complete your degree in as few as 10 months — the choice is yours.
- Earn your BSN, MSN, or both
- RN-BSN to MSN (with both degrees conferred)
- Accelerated RN-MSN (only MSN degree conferred)
- Courses on your schedule
- Group-specific tuition rates
Two RN to MSN Options
Choosing between programs?
Explore the differences between BSN, MSN and accelerated MSN options
RN-MSN Accelerated
RNs advance their degrees without getting bogged down by prerequisites.
Good for Nurses who
- Value expediency
- Achieved at least a 3.0 GPA
- Earns an MSN Degree upon completion
- Have an active RN license
RN-BSN to MSN
Enables RNs to advance their education and careers while being cost and time effective
Good for Nurses who
- Value efficiency
- Achieved at least a 2.0 GPA
- Have an active RN license
- Earn two degrees with specialization (BSN and MSN)
RN-BSN Option
BSN curriculum, 100% online coursework that fits your busy schedule.
Good for Nurses who
- Value Flexibility
- Wants to earn a BSN degree
- Will receive 77 proficiency credits
- Have an active RN license
MSN Graduate Certificate Options
Upon completion of an MSN degree or if you are looking to expand your nursing skills within a key specialty area, you have the option to also earn a graduate certificate! Graduate certificates can be achieved in less than two years – with 100% online coursework.
Explore graduate certificate programs within these areas:
Non-Clinical Speciality Tracks
- Healthcare Policy
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Leadership
- Population Health
Clinical Speciality Tracks
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
RN to MSN Option FAQs
I’ve never taken an online course before and I’m a little nervous. How do I prepare myself for online learning?
Chamberlain has several resources that can help you become acclimated to the online classroom. Once you apply you will have access to Chamberlain Care Student Success Strategies, which provides information on time management, scholarly writing, using the library and more. You can also ask your admissions representative for a personal tour of the online environment in which you will be taking classes or you can view the Online Classroom Demonstration Video Series to learn about what you can expect when you log into your class.
We are dedicated to supporting you throughout your educational journey. To further support your success, a Student Online Readiness Assessment is designed to help assess the skills needed for success in online courses. You will see the assessment listed as a task in the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) course.
Are campus visits required?
No. Coursework is completed 100% online. (Note: All Nurse Practitioner specialty tracks require one visit for the immersion experience as part of NR-509. Also note that the AGACNP track requires two immersions. The Capstone intensive review session also requires in-person experiences.)
How often will I go to class?
There are no mandatory login times. Most classes require that you login two to three times per week. Check the course syllabus for information specific to your class.
How do I go to class?
While tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices may allow for some completion of coursework, they are not guaranteed to work in all areas. Please ensure you have a Windows (preferred) or Mac-based computer available to complete coursework in the event your selected mobile device does not meet the needs of the course. The Help Desk does not provide technical support for tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices at this time.
Request more information to have an admission representative provide you with a course tour.
If I enroll in the RN-BSN to MSN Option, am I able to switch to the Accelerated RN to MSN Option?
It is possible to transfer from the RN-BSN to MSN into the Accelerated RN to MSN Option but, students may need to complete the full Accelerated RN to MSN curriculum. Please speak to an advisor for more information regarding transfer credits.
You’re more than just an application or a test score.
If you fall below our academic eligibility requirements, our admissions committee will still consider whether you can be successful in our RN-BSN to MSN or RN to MSN degree programs.
Chamberlain might be the right fit for you.
Admissons to our RN to MSN Programs
Accelerated RN-MSN
- A nursing diploma or a degree in nursing at the associate's level or higher from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education*
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for prior undergraduate nursing degree
- Current, active, unrestricted RN license, issued in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN and valid for the state in which you plan to complete your practicum.
RN-BSN to MSN
- A nursing diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education*
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Current, active, unrestricted RN license, issued in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN and valid for the state in which you plan to complete your practicum.
RN License Requirements
Chamberlain is committed to preparing graduates for professional nursing practice. To achieve this goal, students in the RN to BSN option must maintain a current, active license to practice nursing in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). All students must maintain licensure throughout the program of study. Failure to do so will result in a dismissal from the College.
Provisional Acceptance
Applicants who meet all general admission requirements to the MSN degree program’s accelerated options, but who have a CGPA for the post-secondary nursing degree between 2.5 to 2.99, may be granted provisional acceptance and placed on academic warning. See the Academic Warning sections for additional information.
* Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with equivalent educational qualifications, from institutions outside the U.S. that are not recognized by the Department of Education or CHEA, as determined by an independent transcript evaluation.
** For the 129 curriculum, minimum of 26 credit hours of coursework must be taken at Chamberlain, excluding NR-361 and NR-451.
*** Admission to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care nurse Practitioner track requires 1 year of RN experience at the time the application is submitted.
Financial Assistance Options
We offer many ways to make education accessible
Chamberlain partners with healthcare institutions, community colleges and associations to provide accessible educational opportunities for registered nurses.
Chamberlain Accreditation
Accreditation, State Authorizations & Approvals
Chamberlain has university accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as well as baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).† Chamberlain continuously earns new approvals from respected agencies across the nation.
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, check out our authorizations or view our approvals in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an RN to MSN a good idea?
Chamberlain University’s RN to MSN online program is an excellent way to work toward your goals while accommodating your busy schedule. Earn both your BSN and MSN with our RN-BSN to MSN Option, or earn only your MSN with our Accelerated RN-MSN Option.
How long does it take to bridge from RN to MSN?
Because of the RN to MSN program’s innovative design, eligible RN students who complete their BSN degree at Chamberlain may apply for admission to the MSN degree program prior to completing their BSN degree. Students enrolled in the RN-BSN to MSN Option can earn their degree in under three years (8 semesters equals 32 months) with year-round, full-time enrollment. After you complete the required MSN coursework, you will earn your MSN degree — leaving you with two degrees.
How long is the RN to MSN program?
There are two RN to MSN program options. The RN-BSN to MSN Option allows you to earn your BSN and MSN in less than three years with full-time enrollment. The Accelerated RN-MSN Option allows you to earn an MSN only and can be completed in less than one year with full-time enrollment.
Can you skip BSN and go to MSN?
Yes. In our Accelerated RN–MSN Option, you can earn your MSN without having a BSN. To qualify for the Accelerated RN–MSN Option, you need a nursing diploma or a degree in nursing at the associate level or higher from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education. You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. You must also hold a current, active, unrestricted RN license in the United States or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN and valid for the state in which you plan to complete your practicum.
Required RN to MSN Nursing Courses
RN to MSN Courses
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