Bradley University

Bradley University was established in October 1897 by bank president Lydia Moss Bradley after she acquired the Parsons Horological School for watchmakers. Within a decade, the four-year coeducational academy had 500 pupils to develop into a collegiate polytechnic institute. Now endowed for $280 million, Bradley is a private, mid-sized nonsectarian institution and premier Missouri Valley Conference member. Home to the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) headquarters, Bradley University serves 5,500 Braves. Beyond its 84-acre campus in Peoria, Forbes' 160th best city for careers, Bradley has on-campus and online courses taught by faculty instead of TAs. Bradley University is linked to 39,227 alumni on LinkedIn, including Bryan Paris, Tami Lane, and Neil Flynn.

The U.S. News and World Report ranked Bradley as the Midwest's seventh best college, sixth most vet-welcoming campus, and 15th top value. In particular, Bradley University has America's 97th best online Master of Science in Nursing program and 51st best nursing anesthesia training. On Niche, Bradley is deemed the country's 88th best nursing school and 143rd top private university. Forbes ranked Bradley as the 293rd top school with the 225th most grateful alumni. Bloomberg BusinessWeek placed Bradley 10th based on employer satisfaction. According to The Wall Street Journal, Bradly has the 164th best student outcomes nationwide. Labeled "Military Friendly," Bradley University was crowned the 19th most valuable option by the Brookings Institute. Bradley claimed the 2009 Presidential "E" Award and Innovation in Leadership of Business Education Award. College Factual also congratulated Bradley University for the United States' 123rd top nursing degrees.

Bradley University Accreditation Details

Continuously since 1913, Bradley University has maintained accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) every decade. Under president Gary R. Roberts, this regional body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education renewed its approval in 2010 for Bradley's 110 bachelor's, 31 master's, and two doctorates. The Online Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Administration has programmatic accreditation from the Council on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Graduate management courses also meet the standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Bradley University Application Requirements

Entering the Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration program from Bradley University requires passing the "more selective" admission rate of 70 percent. The graduate school requires online learners to certify the completion of at least a two-year Associate of Science in Nursing for the ADN Entry track. Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited school will shave off credits in the BSN Entry pathway. Each Master of Science in Nursing candidate must have passed the NCLEX-RN exam for valid nursing licensure. One undergrad statistics course is the program's only curricular prerequisite. Maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better with grades above "C-" is mandatory. Although optional, Bradley's Online Master of Science in Nursing students generally rank in the top 50th percentile on the GRE. International students must score at least 78 on the TOEFL iBT.

Bradley University has rolling admission into its Master of Science in Nursing programs online. Interested RNs must create an account to complete the Graduate School Application online for the $40 non-refundable processing fee. Materials difficult to upload could be emailed to [email protected] or physically mailed to 1501 West Bradley Avenue in Peoria, IL 61625. The Nursing Administration specialization requests the following add-ons:

• Official transcripts of college academics
• Copy of current, unencumbered RN license
• Exam scores (GRE or TOEFL) if applicable
• Two signed letters of recommendation
• Typed, 500-word nursing goals essay
• Résumé or CV of clinical experience

Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time traditional graduate tuition at Bradley University is currently $15,300 with campus fees of $260 each year. Post-grads living in Peoria also pay $680 per month for apartment rent and $2,110 per semester for meal plans. Bradley suggests budgeting $3,366 yearly for books, supplies, and personal expenses. However, the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing costs cohorts $35,500 annually. Online post-grads in the Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration follow a pay schedule of $870 per credit. This means that the 36-credit BSN Entry track costs $31,320 and the 45-credit ADN Entry track costs $39,150 total. Nurses also pay $66 for medical malpractice, $118 for a background check, and $100 for Typhon software access.

According to the NCES, 94 percent of full-time Bradley Braves earn annual financial aid of $63.35 million for an average package worth of $15,205. Nursing majors might qualify for institutional funds like the Legacy Scholarship, Caterpillar Employee Dependents Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Future Nurse Scholarship, and Mary T. Bussiere Memorial Nursing Scholarship. Based on FAFSA results, full-time students can earn the need-based Bradley Grant. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission started the Monetary Award Program (MAP) for up to $4,968. Educational borrowing is possible through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS loans. MSN grads could get 60 percent of their debt forgiven by the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. External awards, such as the Aird-Lemone Scholarship, Janel Parker Mobility Scholarship, Elaine Gelman Scholarship, Frances Phillips Ward Scholarship, and Zelle Scholarship, are also available.

Online Degree(s) Available

Endorsed by The Doctor Weighs In, Bradley University Online utilizes the Blackboard platform to connect post-grads 24/7 to seven healthcare programs with powerful outcomes. Chaired by Cindy Brubaker, EdD, in Burgess Hall, the Nursing Department brings together esteemed faculty from Graham Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mesa General Hospital, and other. Thanks to the 12:1 student-professor ratio, online Bradley courses allow strong mentoring support in collaborative clinical learning. For example, registered nurses can pursue the following:

Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration

Preparing for ANCC Nurse Executive certification, Bradley's Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Administration sends clinicians into an in-demand leadership career predicting 20 percent U.S. growth to oversee the operational needs of skilled nursing workforces. The 36-45 credit customized master's lets online post-grads supplement bedside experience with business courses like financial management, strategic policy, legal issues, and informatics. Offering ADN Entry or BSN Entry, the degree teaches the evidence-based leadership strategies to run healthy medical wards for a median Illinois salary of $101,650. CCNE-accredited online modules are paired with 300+ practicum hours in approved medical centers and a capstone thesis or action project.

Related Resource: 20 Most Affordable Private Colleges for Master's in Nursing Administration Online Degree Programs

Other online programs at Bradley University are the Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner, Doctor of Nursing Practice – Leadership, Master of Arts – Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts – Professional School Counseling, and Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate.