30 Best Master’s Degrees in Nursing in 2021

The University of Illinois at Chicago awards a Master of Science in Nursing through its College of Nursing. The program typically requires students to have bachelor's degrees in nursing and RN licensure. Those with a bachelor's degree in another field may enroll in a graduate-entry program involving concurrent pre-licensure and master's coursework. Required courses for all students include Epidemiology & Statistics for Evidence-Based Practice, Health Equity & Social Determinants, and Quality & Safety Through Health Technologies. The degree requires a minimum of 34 semester hours of study, and the graduate-entry program requires a minimum of 77 hours.

UIC is a public research university and a member of the University of Illinois system. Located in the Near West Side community area, it is the largest university in Chicago and additionally operates the largest medical school in the United States. The university consistently ranks highly for its research expenditures and student diversity. The Carnegie Foundation classifies it as one of the nation's 96 universities with the highest level of research activity. In its 2018 rankings, Washington Monthly ranked UIC No. 26 overall in the country. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's College of Nursing No. 16 nationally at the master's level.

The University of Utah offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its College of Nursing. Students can major in Care Management, Nursing Education, or Nursing Informatics. The Care Management program requires 31 credits of study, including two practicum experiences and a culminating project. The Nursing Education program requires 37.5 credits. The curriculum includes three practicum experiences in Curriculum Development and Education, Teaching and Assessment, and a master's practicum with a capstone project. The Nursing Informatics program requires 40.5 credits, including two Interprofessional Education Experiences with a master's practicum and a capstone project. Each program can be completed in five semesters.

The U is a public research university in Salt Lake City. Established in 1850, it is the oldest university in Utah and the state's flagship university. The university's School of Medicine was the first medical school in the state. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the space-grant university as having a very high level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U College of Nursing No. 30 nationally for its master's programs and No. 6 in Nursing Informatics.

Southeast Missouri State University offers a Master of Science in Nursing. The degree program is open to students with undergraduate degrees in nursing who are registered in the state of Missouri. It emphasizes the health care needs of underserved rural populations. Students can follow a family nurse practitioner track and a nurse educator track. The program is designed to be completed in two years, where the first year is arranged in a blended format of online learning and campus visits. The second-year involves face-to-face classes held on campus once a week. The degree requires 43 credit hours of study, including 8.5 clinical hours.

SEMO is a public university in Cape Girardeau, MO. Established in 1873 as a standard school, it has particular strength in teacher education. In addition to its main campus, the university operates a River Campus, home to its School of Visual and Performing Arts. It also operates regional campuses in the Missouri towns of Kennett, Malden, Perryville, and Sikeston. U.S. News & World Report ranks SEMO No. 90 in the Midwest, No. 20 among public schools, and No. 184 in Best Master's Nursing Schools.

West Chester University offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its College of Health Sciences. The degree program offers two specialization areas: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator. It is delivered in a hybrid format through in-person evening classes and online formats. Sample courses include Healthcare Policy, Leadership & Organization; Nursing Informatics; and Population-Based Health Promotion. The Nurse Educator program also consists of a teaching practicum in classroom and clinical settings. The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, but all requirements must be met within six years.

WCUPA is a public university in Chester County, PA, approximately 25 miles from Philadelphia. It was established in 1871 as a teacher training school. Today, it is the largest of the 14 state universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university's campus is split into North and South campuses. The North Campus quad is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The university is noted for its program, center, and annual conference in formal poetry. U.S. News & World Report ranks WCUPA No. 68 in the northern United States and No. 17 among public institutions. The university's nursing school is ranked No. 176 in the country at the master's level.

Rutgers University – Newark offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its School of Nursing. The degree program offers tracks in Informatics and Leadership. The 37-credit Informatics program builds students' skills in communication and data management. One of the program's core courses meets on campus, while all specialty courses can be completed entirely online. The Informatics program also requires 225 clinical hours in person at the school's partner sites. The 42-credit Leadership program is suitable for nurses from various backgrounds to advance to leadership roles in their careers. The program offers courses both in-person and online. It requires 500 hours of clinical experience. The Leadership program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

Rutgers – Newark is one of three regional campuses of Rutgers University. Rutgers is a public research university that was founded in 1766 in New Brunswick, NJ. In addition to the Newark and New Brunswick campuses, Rutgers operates a campus in Camden, NJ. The Carnegie Foundation classifies Rutgers – Newark as having a high level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report consistently name Rutgers' Newark location as the most ethnically diverse campus in the nation.

The University of Arizona offers a Master of Science for Entry to the Profession of Nursing. The degree program is a suitable option for students who hold bachelor's degrees in non-nursing fields. The program is offered on the university's Health Sciences Campus in Tucson and its Biomedical Campus in Downtown Phoenix. Course requirements include Health Assessment Across the Lifespan, Leading and Managing in Organizational Systems, Nursing Pharmacology, and Population and Community Health Nursing. Students can also expect to train with clinical experts in the community. The degree requires 56 units of study and can be completed in as few as four semesters.

UA is a public research university with the main campus in Tucson, AZ. It was founded in 1885 as the first university in the state. It is affiliated with two academic medical centers via Banner – University Medical Centers, which has sites in both Phoenix and Tucson. The university conducts significant research in astronomy and space exploration. It is No. 4 among public universities for NASA research funding. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's College of Nursing No. 30 in the nation for its master's programs.

The University of Central Arkansas offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its School of Nursing. The degree program is designed for registered nurses with bachelor's degrees in nursing. All MSN courses are offered online, and students are only required on campus for their initial program orientation. Two track options are currently offered: the Clinical Nurse Leader Track and the Nurse Educator with a Clinical Specialty Track. All students must complete clinical practicum experiences. Foundation courses include Epidemiology & Community Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice and Health Policy &Economics.

UCA is a public state research university in suburban Conway, AR. Founded in 1907 as a teacher training school, it is one of the oldest universities in the state. The university is best known for its Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, which was one of the first of its kind in the United States. UCA is a space-grant institution. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's School of Nursing No. 169 nationally in Best Master's Nursing Schools.

The University of Iowa offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its College of Nursing. The degree program focuses on preparing graduates to work as clinical nurse leaders. It is designed to build on students' educational and professional background in nursing. The program requires a minimum of 39 semester hours of graduate study. Required courses include Clinical Education in the Care Environment, Health Care Infrastructure and Informatics, Leadership in the Microsystem, and Quality and Safety. The curriculum culminates in a capstone clinical immersion. Students can follow a two-year or three-year plan toward the degree.

UI is a public flagship research university that was founded in 1847. It is the oldest and second-largest university in Iowa. The university occupies an urban campus on the banks of the Iowa River in Iowa City. It is home to the highly ranked University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the Stead Family Children's Hospital. The Carnegie Foundation classifies UI as a doctoral research university with a very high level of research activity. It is a space-grant university and a member of the Association of American Universities, an organization of the nation's top research universities. UI was the first public university in the country to open a coeducational medical school. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's College of Nursing No. 21 nationally at the master's level and No. 4 for Clinical Nurse Leader preparation.

The University of Maine offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its School of Nursing. The program originally focused on preparing family nurse practitioners but now prepares graduates for a variety of professional nursing roles. Applicants should have a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, Maine Registered Nurse licensure, and RN experience. Track options include Family Nurse Practitioner, Individualized, and Nurse Educator. Depending on their chosen track, students must complete between 35 to 50 credits. The curriculum consists of clinical experience and courses in Advanced Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Health Policy; Politics; and Practice. The degree can be completed in two years of full-time study or three to four years part-time.

UMaine is a public research university and the flagship university of the University of Maine System. It was established in 1865 in Orono as a land-grant college. Today, it is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution. It is the largest university in Maine and the state's only university to be classified as a research university by the Carnegie Classification. The university's independent research facilities include the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center and the UMaine Deepwater Offshore Wind Test Site at Monhegan Island. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's Graduate School of Nursing No. 97 in the nation.

The University of Toledo offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its College of Nursing. The degree program is designed for registered nurses with bachelor's degrees in advanced practice nursing or nursing education. It offers nurse practitioner tracks in adult-gerontology primary care, family care, primary care pediatrics, and psychiatric mental health. Sample courses include Family & Cultural Diversity Theories, Public Policy & Health Care, and Theoretical & Ethical Foundations of Nursing. The degree requires 51 to 56 semester-credits of study. Each track can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis and is offered in a blended format of on-campus and online learning. Graduates are eligible to sit for relevant certification exams.

Founded in 1872 as a vocational school, UT is now a comprehensive public research university. The university operates multiple locations and centers throughout Toledo, Ohio, including its Health Science campus, which includes the University of Toledo Medical Center. The university's research centers include the Lake Erie Center, the UT Polymer Institute, and the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's College of Nursing No. 135 in the nation for its master's programs.

The University of South Florida offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its College of Nursing. It is preferable for applicants to hold a bachelor's degree in nursing, but it is not required. Those with bachelor's degrees in other fields must complete additional undergraduate coursework prior to starting their graduate studies. The degree program offers seven concentration options, including but not limited to Family Health Nursing, Nursing Education, and Pediatric Health Nursing. Courses include Advanced Diagnostic & Procedures as well as Systems & Population in Health Care. All students must culminate their studies with a comprehensive nursing exam.

USF is a public research university and a member institution of the State University System of Florida. Located in Tampa, FL, USF is the fourth-largest public university in the state. The university is a space-grant institution, and it has been named one of the fastest-growing research universities in the United States. USF Health conducts groundbreaking research in fields such as Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and heart health. In 2012, USF opened the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation in downtown Tampa, which serves health professionals from across the globe. U.S. News & World Report ranks the university's College of Nursing No. 41 in Best Master's Nursing Schools.

Western Kentucky University offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its School of Nursing and Allied Health. Students must have a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and registered nurse licensure to be admitted. The degree program focuses on advanced nursing practice, nursing administration, or nursing education. It offers one specialty concentration: the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration. Applicants should have at least one year of RN experience in a psychiatric mental health setting prior to enrollment. Courses include Advanced Pharmacology, Nursing Theory, and Statistics. Students must complete 600 clinical hours. The program is delivered in a hybrid blend of online and on-campus learning. Cohorts enter the program each spring and summer.

WKU was established in 1906 as a teacher training school. The university's College of Health and Human Services includes eight academic units, including Allied Health, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Nursing. The college oversees the Center for Applied Science in Health and Aging, the South Central Kentucky Area Health Education Center, and the WKU Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Center. U.S. News & World Report ranks WKU No. 34 in Regional Universities of the South. The site lists the university's School of Nursing No. 126 nationally at the master's level.

The University of San Diego offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. Students must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and a California registered nurse license upon enrollment. The degree program offers emphasis areas including Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Executive Nurse Leader, and Nursing Informatics. The degree requires 33 to 45 credits of study. Courses include Evidence-Based Practice: Role of Theory and Research, and Influencing the Health Care Environment: Policy and Systems. Each program requires clinical practicum experience in the student's area of emphasis. The degree can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis in one to two years.

USD was founded in 1949 as San Diego University and the San Diego College for Women, which merged in 1972. The Carnegie Foundation classifies USD as a doctoral research university with a high level of research activity. The university's campus features Spanish Renaissance architecture and sits on the edge of a mesa overlooking San Diego's Mission Bay. In 2018, The Princeton Review ranked the school as having the No. 1 most beautiful campus in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks the USD Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science No. 43 nationally at the master's level.

Loyola University Chicago offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. The degree program is designed for students with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and a Registered Nurse license. Students must log 2,000 hours of recent clinical experience before beginning their first practicum. The program offers multiple specialty track options, including those for Clinical Nurse Specialist, Health Systems Management, Infection Prevention, and Nurse Practitioner. The Nursing and Healthcare Administration program and the Oncology Certificate program can be completed entirely through distance learning. The remaining tracks are offered in a hybrid format that blends online and face-to-face education. The blended programs require Illinois state RN licensure and clinical placements in the Chicago area.

Loyola is a private Roman Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1870 by the Jesuits. Today, it is one of the largest Catholic universities in the United States. It operates six campuses across Chicago and an international campus in Rome, Italy. The university's Health Sciences Campus was established in 1969 along with the Loyola University Medical Center. The campus is home to the university's schools of medicine and nursing and is located in the Chicago suburb of Maywood. U.S. News & World Report ranks Loyola's Niehoff School of Nursing No. 35 for its master's programs.

The University of Massachusetts Boston offers a Master of Science in Nursing. The degree program is designed for registered nurses with bachelor's degrees. Courses are offered both in the classroom and online to suit the needs of working nurses. Students can choose from three tracks: Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Concentration, and Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration. Core courses include Health Policy, Financing, and Ethics; and Informatics. The curriculum culminates in a comprehensive capstone project. Projects can take forms such as case studies, grant proposals, or publishable papers. Students can complete the program in two years of full-time study or three to four years part-time.

UMass Boston is a public research university and a member of the University of Massachusetts system. It was established in 1852 as Boston State College. Located in the Dorchester neighborhood, it is the only public university in Boston. The Carnegie Foundation classifies UMass Boston as a doctoral research university with a high level of research activity. The university's College of Nursing and Health Sciences researches childhood obesity and maintains partnerships with organizations such as the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the VA Medical Centers. U.S. News & World Report ranks the College of Nursing No. 83 nationally at the master's level.

Washington State University offers a Master's of Nursing in Population Health. The degree program is suitable for students with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It focuses on practical application, preparing graduates for advanced practice positions in acute, community, and outpatient settings. Courses include Evidence-Based Practice and Scientific Inquiry in Nursing. Students may follow a thesis or non-thesis pathway. The non-thesis option culminates in a clinical project. Students may choose to pursue a graduate certificate in nursing education, organizational leadership, or public health. WSU's nursing degree program can be completed in two years of full-time study or three to four years part-time.

Washington State is a public research university with the main campus in Pullman, WA. The university was founded in 1890 and is one of the oldest land-grant institutions in the western United States. Today, WSU is the second-largest university in Washington. The university's Master's of Nursing program is offered at all five WSU College of Nursing sites across the state. All MN courses are offered in a hybrid format that combines online and in-class learning. Most classes meet face-to-face no more than five times per semester. U.S. News & World Report ranks the WSU College of Nursing No. 35 nationally for its master's programs.

The University of Connecticut offers a master's degree in Nursing. The degree program offers four track options, which include Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practitioner. Course formats include simulations, hybrid classes that combine classroom and online instruction, and clinical practica. Core course requirements include Nursing Practice Across the Lifespan, Nursing Science and Patterns of Knowing, and Statistical Methods in Health Sciences Research. The program can be completed on a full-time basis in five semesters or part-time in seven semesters.

UConn is a flagship public research university in Storrs, CT. It was founded in 1881 as an agricultural school. Today, the Carnegie Foundation categorizes UConn in its top tier of research universities. UConn is one of the founding institutions of New England's Knowledge Corridor, which is the region's cultural and economic alliance. U.S. News & World Report ranks UConn No. 89 for value, No. 63 nationally, and No. 22 among public institutions. The site lists the university No. 46 nationwide for its master's programs in nursing.

The Northwestern State University of Louisiana awards a Master of Science in Nursing. Students do not need to take the GRE to be admitted, but they should be registered nurses with an undergraduate background in nursing. Students can choose from nine areas of concentration under the umbrellas of Administration, Education, and Nurse Practitioner. Required courses include Advanced Pathophysiology, Methods of Clinical Nursing Assessment, and Theory-Oriented Nursing Practice. Students are required to successfully complete research seminars, clinical hours, and comprehensive exams. The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis in four to seven semesters.

NSU is a public university and a member institution of the University of Louisiana System. It was founded in 1884 as the Louisiana State Normal School. It was the first school in the state to offer a degree program in nursing. Today, the university has four campuses, including the main campus in Natchitoches and a nursing campus in Shreveport.

Florida Atlantic University offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. The degree program builds students' clinical, leadership, and teaching skills. It is offered on a full- or part-time basis, which allows students to continue working while enrolled. The core curriculum can be completed on-campus or online. Students can choose from seven concentrations, including Advanced Holistic Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Students can typically complete the degree in two to three years.

FAU is a public research university and a member of the State University System of Florida. It is considered to be the most diverse institution in the system and among the most diverse in the United States. The university was established in 1961 as the first public university in southeast Florida. Other than the main campus in Boca Raton, FAU operates five satellite campuses in the region. The university's College of Nursing includes the FAU Community Health Center and the Nursing Leadership Institute. U.S. News & World Report ranks the College of Nursing No. 49 in the nation at the master's level.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore, offers a Master of Science in Nursing through its School of Nursing. The degree program provides options for Registered Nurses and non-nurses with undergraduate degrees in non-nursing fields. Students can choose from three specialty areas: Community/Public Health Nursing, Health Services Leadership and Management, and Nursing Informatics. The HSLM specialty offers a general focus, an education focus, or a business focus as an MSN/MBA dual degree program. The HSLM and Nursing Informatics can be completed entirely online, while the Community/Public Health Nursing program is offered in a hybrid format. The program also offers several graduate certificate options, including Care Coordination and Global Health. Students can complete the degree on a full-time or part-time basis.

UMB is a public university and the founding campus of the University System of Maryland. It was established in 1807 as the Maryland College of Medicine. The university includes some of the nation's oldest professional schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and more. It is located in downtown Baltimore. The university's School of Nursing is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation. The university is also home to the University of Maryland School of Nursing Living History Museum, which explores the history of the nursing profession. U.S. News & World Report ranks the nursing school No. 12 nationally at the master's level, No. 2 in nurse leadership, and No. 1 in Nursing Informatics.