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.

15 Hours per Week

10-Week Terms

Course Details

60–90

$420

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How Do I Get Started?

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

Online Master of Science in Nursing Program 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 online 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.

Purdue Global is committed to your health, safety, and academic achievement. In response to the ever-changing situation caused by the COVID-19 virus, Purdue Global has replaced the 2.5-day, in-person skills intensive with a virtual experience for all terms through April 2021, providing an innovative alternative to performing the duties required in the skills lab.

Degree Pathways

Each option includes a guided clinical experience.

Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner: Provide direct care for acutely and critically ill patients. This population focus area also includes an online skills lab that incorporates an Oculus Quest VR headset for a virtual lab experience, allowing you to work remotely with faculty and staff.^†
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 the master's in nursing program.

Note: Residents of TN may not enroll in this program. Residents of the following states and territories may not enroll in the nurse practitioner population focus areas: HI, LA, NJ, NY, ND, OR, TN, UT, WV, Guam, Puerto Rico. In addition, residents of DC or WA may not enroll in the acute care adult-gerontology nurse practitioner population focus area. 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.

Faculty- and preceptor-guided 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 hours required in your specialty area.

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).

Career Opportunities

Nursing is undergoing a radical transformation, with advanced practice nurses taking on greater responsibilities across the health care industry. Purdue Global’s online Master of Science in Nursing builds on your previous nursing education and practical experience, offering you a pathway to leadership and independent practice opportunities.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

Active Learning
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields.

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)
American Organization for Nursing Leadership: Certified in Executive Nursing Practice

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 July 2019, 92% is the average pass rate for nurse practitioner students who graduated in 2018 and are known to have attempted the AANP or ANCC exam.^§

Forget what you know about earning a degree. ExcelTrack™ is personalized learning that gives you more control over your education, getting you to the same degree faster, for less money.

View ExcelTrack™ MSN

Our MSN and MBA Dual Degree Option lets you complete both a master’s in nursing and a master of business administration simultaneously. Your MSN prepares you for leadership roles in health care; adding an MBA extends your expertise into business management, helping you find advanced business solutions to complex health care problems.

Learn more about the MSN and MBA Dual Degree Option

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.

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

Core Credits30
Elective Credits51 or 60
Total Credits81 or 90

Core Credits30
Elective Credits30
Total Credits60

Ways to Save

Corporate Partner Benefits

Purdue Global, Your Employer, and You: a Great Partnership

Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions and could earn college credit for corporate training programs.

Employee Savings and Benefits
Transfer Credits

Finish What You Started

Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

Save Time and Money on Your Degree
Military Tuition Reduction

We Offer an Affordable Education for Military Students

For undergraduate programs, tuition is reduced 55% per credit for current servicemembers and 38% per credit for veterans. Tuition reductions are also available for graduate programs and military spouses.

Tuition Savings for Military
International Tuition Reduction

We’re Committed to Providing an Affordable Path to Your Degree

International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.

International Tuition and Benefits
Financial Aid

Learn How to Apply For and Receive Financial Aid

Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs. Get answers to common financial aid questions, learn about federal student aid, and get the facts about military Shopping Sheets.

Financial Aid FAQ

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current cost per credit

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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.

98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees

48% Faculty members who hold a doctorate

264 Faculty publications in 2019–2020

More Than 45,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2019–2020

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2020. 2019–2020 academic year.

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.

View Brochure

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

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

^†Due to circumstances related to COVID-19, the in-person skills intensive has been replaced with a virtual skills lab through April 2021. See the University Catalog for more information.

^‡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. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please refer to Licensure and State Authorization for additional information on licensure, state authorizations, 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), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

^§Purdue Global School of Nursing, July 2019.