ExcelTrack® Master of Science in Nursing

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12
Total Courses
$3,200
Tuition Rate per Term
You Control Your Pace
Weekly Course Effort

ExcelTrack® Online Master’s in Nursing (MSN) Overview

Take charge of your education and move your career forward with our self-paced ExcelTrack® MSN. Earn the same respected Purdue Global master’s in nursing faster and more affordably.

  • Maximize your professional experience to speed through your nursing courses.
  • Control your learning pace and deadlines, and choose the resources that help you learn best.
  • Work directly with nursing faculty to ensure you've learned the course material.
  • Gain specialized expertise by selecting our executive leader or nurse educator concentration.
  • Complete faculty- and preceptor-supported clinical practices in your community or workplace to gain practical, hands-on experience.

Get the Credit You Deserve With ExcelTrack®

Designed for highly disciplined, self-motivated learners with strong professional nursing knowledge, the accelerated MSN program gives you the freedom to skip the information you know — so you can spend time on what you need to learn.

  • Take assessments to show what you already know.
  • Complete 1-credit courses that cover a single piece of knowledge or skill so you can move quickly through your degree.
  • Take as many ExcelTrack® courses as you want during each 10-week term for a flat rate.

Learn More About ExcelTrack®

Review College Scorecard data for this program.

View Program Degree Plan and Policies
CCNE Accredited logo

CCNE Accredited

The master's degree in nursing program at Purdue Global is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.CCNEAccreditation.org).

Partner: The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses

Purdue Global School of Nursing proudly partners with The DAISY Foundation™ to recognize and celebrate extraordinary nursing students.

Note: Residents of TN may not enroll in this program. Residents of IL, IN, or WI may not enroll in the executive leader or nurse educator concentration. Some pathways are not available to international students.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

What Courses Will I Take?

The ExcelTrack® Master of Science in Nursing includes ExcelTrack® core and specialty courses and standard online clinical and final project courses.

Courses are reviewed and revised by industry experts to ensure they reflect the most recent developments in health care.

Sample Courses

  • Advanced Nursing Roles
  • Scientific and Analytic Approaches to Advanced Evidence-Based Practice
  • Epidemiology and Health Promotion
  • Health Policy, Ethical, and Legal Perspectives of the Health Care System
  • Promoting Optimal Models and Systems for Health Care Delivery

Concentrations

Choose from two specialty tracks designed to provide further knowledge specific to your advanced role with a guided clinical practice experience. Contact an Admissions Advisor for information on the number of clinical hours required in your area of interest.

  • Executive Leader
  • Nurse Educator
See All Nursing Courses

Program Requirements

6
Core Courses
6
Elective Courses
12
Total Courses
60
Total Quarter Credits

1 semester credit hour = 1.5 quarter credit hours

Admissions Requirements

A bachelor's degree with a major in nursing and an approved criminal background check is required. You will need to provide an official transcript that shows completion of your bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, though an unofficial copy may be provided during the application process. Additional requirements apply. Refer to the program-specific policy page in the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

View Admissions Requirements

Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Why Should You Earn a Master’s Degree in Nursing at Purdue Global?

  • Learn from practicing professionals with advanced degrees in nursing and certifications in areas of specialty who teach the latest information and techniques.
  • Prepare for managerial positions and advanced practice roles through specialized courses in organizational theory, health care finance, health policy, human resources, information technology, and health care systems.
  • Build the foundation for future doctoral studies.

Is ExcelTrack® Right for You?

  • You are a self-motivated, driven student with strong time management skills.
  • You possess a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
  • You have an active, unencumbered RN license in a U.S. state.

If you decide to enroll, you must complete orientation before you start classes.

Learn More About ExcelTrack®

Ways to Save on Time and Tuition

Purdue Global works with students to find ways to reduce costs and make education more accessible. Contact us to learn about opportunities to save on your educational costs.

Transfer Credits

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions.

Financial Aid

Learn about federal financial aid programs available for many of our degree programs.

Grants and Loans

Learn about federal and state grants and loan programs that may be available.

Corporate Partner Benefits

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

Military Tuition Reduction

Graduate tuition savings for military include a 17–30% reduction per credit for current servicemembers and 14% per credit for veterans for graduate programs.

Prior Military Experience

Earn credit for your military training. We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

View the total cost of attendance for your program.

Possible Behavioral Interview Questions for This Field of Study

  • Share an experience where you mentored or supported a colleague, peer, or nursing student. How did you approach it, and what impact did it have?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult clinical decision with limited information. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?
  • Tell me about a time during your MSN program when you identified an opportunity to improve a process or patient outcome. What actions did you take, and what was the result?
  • Can you share an example of a time when you educated a patient who was resistant to following your medical advice? What strategies did you use?
  • Tell me about a situation where you had to manage competing priorities during your MSN program—such as clinicals, coursework, and personal responsibilities. How did you stay organized and meet your goals?

Sample Skills Developed and Used in This Field

  • Ethical Standards and Conduct
  • Management
  • Communication
  • Primary Care
  • Compassion
  • Patient Education and Counseling
  • Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • Treatment Planning
  • Electronic Medical Record
  • Leadership
  • Care Coordination
  • Teamwork
  • Critical Thinking
  • Digital Literacy
  • Professionalism

Take a Career Assessment

Discover your work interests, and use them to chart your ideal career path.

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Download the Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the ExcelTrack® Master of Science in Nursing and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a master’s degree in nursing.

View Brochure

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

99%

Faculty members who have advanced degrees

58%

Faculty members who have terminal degrees

477

Faculty publications in 2024–2025

More Than 44,000

Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2024–2025

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, August 2025. 2024–2025 academic year.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

Employment and Career Advancement: Purdue Global does not guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.

Credit Toward a Future Degree: The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about admissions requirements and transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning policy.

ExcelTrack®: ExcelTrack® is designed to advance your progress based on existing knowledge; however, degree pace and time and cost savings will vary by individual. Students must enroll in a minimum number of credits per term to remain eligible for financial aid. Refer to the Financial Information section of the University Catalog for additional information. Enrollees will pay a per-term resource fee and program-specific fees. MSN and certificate programs include traditional clinical and final project courses; tuition for these courses is charged at the standard per-credit rate.