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Earn your RN to MSN online
Are you a registered nurse with a nursing diploma or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)? Franklin’s RN to MSN is a streamlined admission path that quickly gets you on track to earning your M.S. in Nursing (MSN). Not only will Franklin’s direct route to an MSN save you time and money, our hassle-free admission process makes it easy to get started.
Finish in 16-30 Months
Earn your degree and prepare for advancement faster.
Accredited
The master's degree program in nursing at Franklin University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Qualify in 12 Weeks
Finish your bridge course and be on your way to your MSN.
Online Coursework
Balance earning your degree with other work-life commitments.
Contemporary Curriculum
Evaluate and study trending nursing topics throughout the program.
Learn from the Best
Benefit from the experience of your instructors – seasoned, in-field practitioners.
RN to MSN Program Overview
Grow your nursing knowledge to improve the healthcare experience
As a prerequisite to admission in the M.S. in Nursing (MSN) program - which includes the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner track, Family Nurse Practitioner track, the Generalist track or the Nurse Administrator track - you’ll learn the standards expected from a nurse as they relate to professionalism, research and theory to impact practice; leadership roles in quality improvement and information management; healthcare policy and regulation; and healthcare principles for individuals, groups and communities.
Earn an accredited master's in nursing degree
The master's degree program in nursing at Franklin University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Earn your MSN degree from a university built for busy adults
Earn your MSN on your terms by taking classes 100% online. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today.
Lisa S.
RN to MSN '22
"Franklin University helped me "fast track" my MSN in just 16 months, working full-time. The courses are straightforward and challenging, and the instructors demonstrated that they cared about my success. This degree confers job security, as well as new career options to explore. I work in ambulatory care and plan to move into management or clinical education."
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, post-graduate APRN certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Franklin University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Learn MoreYour Best Value RN-MSN
Choose Franklin’s accelerated RN-MSN admission pathway and you’ll get more for your money while you make the most of your time. Qualify for the MSN in 12 weeks for less than $1,200.
Lower Fees
Save thousands of dollars in fees by choosing Franklin over other leading programs for your MSN.
Source: Internal research of leading programs (May 2022)
Tuition Guarantee
Inflation-proof your degree cost by locking-in your tuition rate from day one through graduation.
RN to MSN Curriculum
You’ll complete a 12-week online bridge course as your gateway to the M.S. in Nursing (MSN) program. Completing the course with a B or better is required for admission.
Available MSN Options
Designed to meet the demands of busy registered nurses, Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing (MSN) program enables you to gain the relevant knowledge to advance your career in a flexible, online format that works with your schedule.
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (MSN-AGPCNP)
Assume a leadership role in patient care with the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - AGPCNP that lets you specialize in the well-being of adolescents and older adults.
Learn MoreFamily Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP)
Manage the care of individuals and families within a primary care setting. Franklin’s 27-month M.S. in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN-FNP) track blends online coursework with on-site clinicals to equip you to sit for certification exams.
Learn MoreGeneralist (MSN-Generalist)
Excel in a variety of healthcare or education settings with Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing - Generalist (MSN) track. The MSN-Generalist prepares you for leadership roles, advanced practice or nursing education. Complete your degree in as few as 18 months.
Nurse Administrator (MSN-ADM)
Lead strategic change and manage teams with Franklin’s M.S. in Nursing-Nurse Administrator track (MSN-ADM). The MSN-ADM prepares you for leadership roles or nursing education. Complete your degree in as few as 16 months.
Learn MorePsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN-PMHNP)
Take a wellness-based and holistic approach to mental healthcare while also providing integrated care for mental illness in primary care settings with the MSN-PMHNP.
Learn MoreReady to decide what you want from nursing – and go for it?
Get a FREE guide to help you advance your career, featuring helpful advice and thoughtful insights from nursing experts.
Options for RNs
At Franklin University, we offer several options to help you achieve your ultimate career goals. Designed for RNs with an associate degree (ADN) or nursing diploma, Franklin’s BSN program and the RN to MSN pathway cater to the demanding schedule of a working nurse.
What is it?
A nursing bachelor’s degree (BSN) program for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree or nursing diploma.
What can I do with it?
Elevate your nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. Many healthcare systems prefer to hire, retain and promote RNs who have earned the BSN.
What will I learn?
Beginning nursing theory, practice and research.
Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
The capstone course requires a project. The RN to BSN can be completed 100% online. There is no clinical component.
How many courses are in the program?
120 credit hours with 34 hours (9 courses) in nursing; transfer credit from the associate degree (up to 90 credits) includes 24 hours of nursing coursework.
How quickly can I complete the program?
12 months
How much does the program cost?
Where can I learn more?
What is it?
A pathway to a nursing master’s degree (MSN) for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree or nursing diploma.
What can I do with it?
Take on administrative and leadership roles, as well as nurse educator positions.
What will I learn?
Advanced nursing theory, practice and research; focus on administration, education and informatics.
Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
The capstone course requires 80 hours of clinical time spent on-site with a preceptor at an approved healthcare setting.
How many courses are in the program?
37-42 credit hours; 10-12 courses
How quickly can I complete the program?
19-21 months
How much does the program cost?
Where can I learn more?
What is it?
A pathway to a nursing master’s degree (MSN) with an APRN specialization for registered nurses who have earned an associate degree or nursing diploma.
What can I do with it?
Expand your clinical capabilities to manage patient care within the primary care setting as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, a family nurse practitioner, or a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
What will I learn?
Advanced nursing theory, practice and research; focus on clinical application.
Is there a clinical/capstone or practicum?
Clinical/Practicum courses: NURS 700 is 16 lab hours, and there are four additional clinical courses for each track - each requires 150 clinical hours with a preceptor at a healthcare site.
How many courses are in the program?
45-46 credit hours; 14 courses
How quickly can I complete the program?
30-31 months
How much does the program cost?
Where can I learn more?
See the MSN-FNP program page >
RN to MSN Program Details
2023 - 2024 Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
---|---|
Standard tuition per credit hour | $670 |
Nursing programs MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, MSN-AGPCNP, Post-Graduate FNP Certificate, Post-Graduate AGPCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate | $670 |
MSN-Generalist, MSN-Nurse Administrator and MSN-Nurse Educator | $598 |
RN-MSN Pathway (NURS 500) | $298 |
Current service members | $536 |
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level) | $398 |
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level) - International Students | $526 |
2024 - 2025 Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
---|---|
Standard tuition per credit hour | $670 |
Nursing programs MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, MSN-AGPCNP, Post-Graduate FNP Certificate, Post-Graduate AGPCNP Certificate and Post-Graduate PMHNP Certificate | $670 |
MSN-Generalist, MSN-Nurse Administrator and MSN-Nurse Educator | $598 |
RN-MSN Pathway (NURS 500) | $298 |
Current service members | $536 |
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level) | $398 |
Graduate Prerequisite Courses (500 level) - International Students | $526 |
Know the Total Cost of Your Master’s from Day One
Save yourself the anxiety of annual tuition increases with Franklin’s Tuition Guarantee. The guarantee lets you lock-in what you’ll pay from first-term through graduation, as long as you remain actively enrolled. Not only will this help you maximize funding sources - like employer reimbursement or financial aid, it will keep you focused on earning your degree.
The admission process reflects Franklin University’s efforts to clearly identify the performance standards that can help predict student success in graduate level study. The selection criterion for Franklin’s graduate programs, as determined by faculty, emphasizes academic ability, contributory work experience, and personal qualities and characteristics.
For applicants to the MSN-Generalist and MSN-Nurse Administrator tracks:
Requirements for admission include having earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or have earned an associate degree/diploma in nursing from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization with at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Students entering through the above pathway must then achieve a final grade of B (3.0 GPA) or better in the first course (NURS 500 Essentials of Professional Nursing) at Franklin in order to remain in the program. The student may repeat the course only one time.
Conditional enrollment will be automatically be granted to applicants with a 2.5 GPA or higher. Applicants with a GPA lower than 2.5 GPA can petition to the program chair for conditional enrollment by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a graduate nursing program.
Conditional enrollment requires students to achieve a final grade of “B” (3.0 GPA) or better in the first graduate-level course of their program. If the terms of the conditional enrollment are not met, the student will not be allowed to advance in their program and will be unable to earn this graduate degree from Franklin University.
For applicants to the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN-Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and MSN-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner tracks:
Requirements for admission include having earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or have earned an associate degree/diploma in nursing from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Students entering through the above pathway must then achieve a final grade of B (3.0 GPA) or better in the first course (NURS 500 Essentials of Professional Nursing) at Franklin in order to remain in the program. The student may repeat the course only one time.
Applicants who earned lower than a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned associate or bachelor’s degree can petition for admission to the program chair by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a graduate program of study. This petition could include details on the applicant’s work experience, work ethic, level of professionalism, personality characteristics, level of difficulty of program of study previously completed, etc.
If a student is admitted as a result of the petition, the student will need to obtain a “B” average (3.0 GPA) during the first graduate-level course of their program. If the terms of the conditional enrollment are not met, the student will not be allowed to advance in their program and will be unable to earn this graduate degree from Franklin University.
English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS
Prospective students must demonstrate English Language Proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:
- The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.*
- The applicant has received an associate degree/diploma from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.*
- The applicant has earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed in the Academic Catalog.
- *For more information about English proficiency, including a list of English-speaking nations, please visit our International Students section.
Program Prerequisites
Applicants must hold an associate degree/diploma from a regionally accredited institution.
Evidence of Active Nursing License
Applicants must have a valid, active and clear/unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN).
- Applicants holding the equivalent of an RN licensure or certification outside the U.S. must submit a Credential Evaluation Services (CES) Academic Report from the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
- All students must maintain licensure throughout the program of study.
- License information should be submitted here.
Please note: Due to the unique requirements of the MSN practicum experience, students should consult the Nursing MSN Program Handbook for important information on the program’s required practicum component before selecting this major. Applicants must complete and return the Acknowledgement of Receipt of the Handbook form prior to enrolling in the MSN program. For questions regarding the handbook or form, please contact the MSN Program Chair. The handbook and form can be accessed here.
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RN to MSN Frequently Asked Questions
Franklin’s streamlined RN to MSN pathway, designed for registered nurses with associate degrees or nursing diplomas, consists of a 12-week bridge course that can put you on the path to earning your M.S. in Nursing (MSN). To be admitted into Franklin’s MSN, you must complete the bridge course with a grade of B or better. Once you are admitted to the MSN program, you can complete the MSN-ADM in 16 months, the MSN in 18 months, the MSN-FNP in 27 months or the MSN-AGPCNP in 28 months.
Whether you earn the B.S. in Nursing (BSN) on the way to your M.S. in Nursing (MSN) depends on your unique situation and ultimate career goals. While the MSN is the necessary credential for teaching or leadership positions, you may need the BSN to obtain your initial nursing position while you work toward the next level.
Designed for registered nurses with associate degrees or nursing diplomas, Franklin’s streamlined RN to MSN is a 12-week bridge course that puts you on the path to earning your M.S. in Nursing (MSN). To be admitted into Franklin’s MSN, you must complete the bridge course with a grade of B or better.
The RN to MSN has multiple start dates each year, including summer (May).
Franklin University offers a quality education at a competitive cost so you can afford to invest in your future. Our per credit hour tuition rates (vs. per year or per term rates) enable you to get a realistic estimate of exactly how much your degree will cost - especially once you've factored in transfer credit. With our tuition guarantee, you can lock-in your tuition rate from your first term through graduation. Ask our helpful staff about available financing options and financial aid programs. Visit MyTransfer Credit to see how transfer credits could help you save time and money.
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