Online Master's Degree in Nursing

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Program at a Glance
  • Specialize in one of five pathways aligned to specific advanced roles.
  • Prepare to sit for industry certification exams.
  • This online MSN program offers the flexibility nurses need to balance work and life responsibilities with their studies.
  • The master's degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
COURSE EFFORT 15 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10 Weeks
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 60–90
COST PER CREDIT $420
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

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

May 15
July 3
July 31
September 18

Master of Science in Nursing Overview

Nursing is undergoing a radical transformation, with advanced practice registered nurses taking on greater responsibilities across the health care industry. At Purdue Global, you can earn a valuable nursing credential online to help advance your career.*

Purdue Global's master's degree in nursing builds on your nursing education and practical experience, offering you leadership and independent practice opportunities. The degree plan includes specialized courses in organizational theory, health care finance, health policy, human resources, information technology, and health care systems.

Degree Pathways

Each option includes a guided practicum or clinical experience.

  • Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner: Provide direct care for acutely and critically ill patients. This population focus area also includes a 2.5-day in-person skills intensive.
  • Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner: Promote holistic health care to members of the adult and older adult population through assessment, diagnosis, and comprehensive treatment of chronic health problems.
  • Executive leader: Focus on the principles of personnel management, policy development and implementation, budgeting, and the use of information technology. 
  • Family nurse practitioner, primary care: Promote holistic health care to adults and children in a family systems context through the assessment, diagnosis, and management of chronic health problems.
  • Nurse educator: Focus on developing courses and programs that integrate nursing and educational philosophy.

See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Note: Residents of TN may not enroll in this program. Residents of the following states may not enroll in the nurse practitioner population focus areas: AR, HI, KY, LA, NJ, NM, NY, ND, OR, TN, UT, WV. In addition, residents of KS may not enroll in the adult-gerontology nurse practitioner or acute care adult-gerontology nurse practitioner population focus areas, and residents of AZ, DC, GA, MD, MO, and WA may not enroll in the acute care adult-gerontology nurse practitioner population focus area.

Some pathways are not available to international students.

Clinicals and Practicums

Faculty- and preceptor-guided practicum or clinical practice experiences in your community provide knowledge and mentoring specific to your area of interest.


Contact an Admissions Advisor for information on the number of clinical or practicum hours required in your specialty area.

Dedicated Faculty and Advisors

Current information and techniques are taught by practicing professionals who have advanced degrees in nursing.


Academic advisors and faculty offer personalized academic support as you earn your master's in nursing online.

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

Prepare for Industry Certifications

Upon completion of the master’s degree in nursing program, you may be eligible to pursue industry-recognized certifications in your selected specialty area†:

  • Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
    • American Nurses Credentialing Center: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
    • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
    • American Nurses Credentialing Center: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
    • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Executive leader
    • American Nurses Credentialing Center: Nurse Executive or Nurse Executive, Advanced (if you meet the organization’s eligibility requirements)
  • Family nurse practitioner, primary care
    • American Nurses Credentialing Center: Family Nurse Practitioner
    • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse educator
    • National League for Nursing: Certified Nurse Educator (if you meet the organization’s eligibility requirements)

Benefits of Certification

Nursing credentials demonstrate your adherence to a higher standard and may be a condition for employment in nursing.

As of June 2018, 90% is the average pass rate for nurse practitioner students who graduated in 2017 and are known to have attempted the AANP or ANCC exam.‡

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The Master of Science in Nursing curriculum prepares you to fill advanced practice and nursing leadership roles. Courses are updated regularly by industry experts to ensure they reflect the most recent developments in health care.

The degree plan includes core curriculum, concentration or population focus area courses, and an evidence-based project proposal.

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
See All Nursing Courses

Choose from five pathways designed to provide further knowledge in your chosen specialty and your specific advanced role:

  • Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner
  • Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner
  • Executive Leader
  • Family nurse practitioner, primary care
  • Nurse Educator
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits30
  • Elective Credits51 or 60
  • Total Credits81 or 90
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits30
  • Elective Credits30
  • Total Credits60

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

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.

View Nursing Faculty Directory
97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
218 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
Nearly 87,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2017–2018

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis and Center for Teaching and Learning. 2017–2018 academic year. Note: all figures include data prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

Program Brochure

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

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment or career advancement. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.

†Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

Graduates of a nurse practitioner pathway who pass the relevant certification exam may be academically eligible for licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse in any state in which the program is available for enrollment. Purdue Global has not made a determination with respect to the licensure or certification requirements for any other states or occupations. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information and program availability. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams.

Please note that most states require nurses to be nationally certified and to have completed an accredited graduate nursing program in order to obtain licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse. Each national certification provider and state Board of Nursing will have eligibility requirements in addition to these educational requirements, such as passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they are eligible for state Board of Nursing approval and certification as an advanced practice registered nurse in their state. Students can obtain additional information from their state's Board of Nursing, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

‡As of June 2018,  96.6% was the average pass rate for Purdue Global nurse practitioner students who graduated from a master's degree or post-graduate certificate program in 2017 and are known to have attempted the AANP's Family NP or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP exams. The average pass rate for all master's and post-graduate AANP Family NP and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP test-takers in 2017 was 81%. In addition, 95% was the average pass rate for Purdue Global nurse practitioner students who graduated from a master's degree or post-graduate certificate program in 2017 and are known to have attempted the ANCC's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner exams. The average pass rate for all ANCC Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner test-takers in 2017 was 79.8%.