5 Best Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Massachusetts – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Good news for RNs in Massachusetts whose bachelor’s degrees are not in nursing! Direct Entry MSN programs in Massachusetts help you earn a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree even without a BSN. The Bay State’s Direct Entry MSN programs combine BSN program components with the traditional MSN curriculum. These programs offer the same specialty advanced practice options traditional MSN programs provide. On average, graduates of the Bay State’s Direct Entry MSN programs make $134,460 a year. The list below of the 5 best Direct Entry MSN programs in Massachusetts for 2025 will fill you in on what you need to know.



RECOMMENDED ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS

WHAT ARE THE BEST DIRECT-ENTRY MSN PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 5 Best Direct-Entry MSN programs in Massachusetts (Online & Campus).


1. Boston College - Chestnut Hill


About Boston College: If you are looking to enroll in one of the best direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts that also offers faith-based education, then what better than Boston College’s Direct-Entry MSN? The school enrolls a diverse student population who are groomed to become healthcare leaders. The Catholic environment of this school produces compassionate nurses who are committed to providing holistic nursing care.


Boston College Direct-Entry MSN Program Details: Boston College direct-entry MSN program comprises 19 courses in nursing foundations and advanced concepts. The curriculum consists of 58 credits and covers topics such as pharmacology, epidemiology, healthcare quality management, program planning & evaluation, healthcare policy, and health information technology. This direct-entry MSN program in Massachusetts also prepares you for nursing care of adults, child health, and psychiatric mental health nursing. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam, after which you’ll earn the status of a registered nurse.


Boston College Direct-Entry MSN Admission Requirements: Boston College direct-entry MSN program is open to non-nurses who have an accredited bachelor’s degree. Further, applicants must complete pre-requisite courses, including nutrition, human development, statistics, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, and pathophysiology. To complete your application, you must be prepared to submit your resume, goal statement, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts.


Interesting Highlights For Boston College Direct-Entry MSN Students

• Boston College direct-entry MSN program reports an excellent performance on the NCLEX-RN exam, having almost all students pass the exam on the first attempt.
• Boston College’s master’s in nursing program ranks #1 in Massachusetts as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Boston College direct-entry MSN students practice clinical skills at some of the leading healthcare centers & hospitals in Boston. The program maintains partnerships with more than 85 clinical affiliates in the Boston area to provide students with diverse learning experiences.


2. MGH Institute of Health Professions - Boston


Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Dual Adult-Gerontology/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner


About MGH Institute of Health Professions: MGH Institute of Health Professions offers one of the best direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts and it's for many reasons that its direct-entry MSN education stands out. Excellent didactic instructions in small-sized classes and thorough clinical preparation under the close supervision of expert practitioners, transform the careers of non-nurses into that of expert clinicians.


MGH Institute of Health Professions Direct-Entry MSN Program Details: From all the direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts, the MGH Institute of Health Professions program stands out for offering non-nurses several NP specialization options. Depending on where you find your calling, you can specialize either in family health, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, women’s health, or adult gerontology acute care.

This direct-entry MSN program in Massachusetts starts with three semesters of pre-licensure courses which are the same, regardless of the NP specialization you choose. The remaining three semesters of the program courses vary, based on your chosen NP specialization. After completing the pre-licensure courses, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, after which they can work as an RN while pursuing the MSN and NP coursework. The MSN-NP courses can be completed part-time.

This direct-entry MSN program, regardless of the specialization comprises around 90 credits. The courses mainly cover topics such as pathophysiology, nursing process & critical thinking, health assessment, healthcare policy & politics, and professional issues.


MGH Institute of Health Professions Direct-Entry MSN Admission Requirements: MGH Institute of Health Professions direct-entry MSN program is designed for applicants with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. The program also requires applicants to complete pre-requisite courses. To apply, you must be prepared to submit your transcripts, resume, and letters of recommendation.


Interesting Highlights For MGH Institute of Health Professions Direct-Entry MSN Students

• MGH Institute of Health Professions master’s program is counted among the U.S. News & World Report’s best MSN programs in the nation.
• MGH Institute of Health Professions direct-entry MSN students gain a wide variety of clinical experiences. Because the school maintains clinical partnerships with more than 600 clinical sites, students practice in diverse clinical settings and build professional connections. Aside from this, students also obtain real-world practice experience at its Ruth Sleeper Nursing Center which offers free support services to local residents.
• MGH Institute of Health Professions direct-entry MSN students report an excellent pass rate on the NP certification exam.


3. Regis College - Weston


Specialties Offered: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Geriatrics Nurse Practitioner, and Pediatrics Nurse Practitioner


About Regis College: Are you searching for direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts where you can seamlessly obtain a BSN, MSN, and NP certification? If so, Regis College’s direct entry MSN is a terrific choice. Here, you’ll be taught by active practitioners who bring their real-world knowledge and experience to the classroom. Equipped with a BSN, MSN, and NP certification, the school prepares non-nurses for a successful career in advanced practice nursing.


Regis College Direct-Entry MSN Program Details: Regis College direct-entry MSN program is a three-year program that comes with NP specialization options in women's health, adult/geriatrics, and pediatrics. The curriculum, regardless of the NP specialization requires the completion of around 94 credits.

This direct-entry MSN program in Massachusetts starts with 12 months of BSN courses that require the completion of 60 credits. The BSN portion takes 16 months to complete, after which students can take the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain the RN license. The BSN coursework is offered on a full-time basis. Thereafter students choose their preferred NP specialization and continue with the program to complete the MSN and NP coursework. The MSN-NP coursework can be completed full-time or part-time while starting to work as a registered nurse. The credits required for the MSN-NP coursework depend on your chosen specialization.

Program graduates will be well versed in nursing fundamentals, such as pharmacology, professional nursing, health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, acute care nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing, maternal child health, nursing theory, community health nursing, maternal child health, and nursing leadership. Graduates are also prepared to take the certification exam within their chosen population focus.


Regis College Direct-Entry MSN Admission Requirements: To apply for the Regis College direct-entry MSN program, you must be a non-nurse with an accredited bachelor’s degree and your GPA must be at least 3.0. Further, you must have completed pre-requisite courses. Additionally, you must keep ready for submitting documents, including your transcripts, resume, statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation.


Interesting Highlights For Regis College Direct-Entry MSN Students

• Regis College direct-entry MSN students not only excel on the NCLEX-RN exam but also on the NP certification exam. The excellent academic outcome is a great indicator of the high-quality training the program offers.
• Regis College direct-entry MSN graduates secure placements at some of the renowned medical centers in New England, including Mass General Hospital, Tufts Medical Center, and the Verana Adminsiatstion.
• Regis College direct-entry MSN students, who are all non-nurses, progress through the program as part of a cohort, sharing the same academic and career goals.


4. Northeastern University - Boston


Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner


About Northeastern University: Northeastern University offers a conducive learning environment where students from a non-nursing background can gain clinical expertise in their preferred area of advanced practice nursing. Offering one of the reputable direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts, the school provides excellent learning opportunities both, inside and outside the classroom.


Northeastern University Direct-Entry MSN Program Details: Northeastern University's direct-entry MSN program is divided into two parts, the pre-licensure, and the MSN-specialty coursework. The program offers non-nurses an opportunity to specialize in an area of advanced practice nursing, including adult gerontology acute care nursing, family health, pediatric care, adult gerontology primary care, and psychiatric mental health.

This direct-entry MSN program in Massachusetts, spanning eight to ten semesters, builds on your non-nursing bachelor's degree and starts with 16 months of undergraduate nursing courses, after which you’ll earn your BSN and the eligibility to take the NCEX-RN. The MSN-NP portion of the program starts after 1 to 2 years of work experience as a registered nurse. During these 1 to 2 years of working as an RN, you may wish to complete the non-clinical courses, however, the clinical coursework can only begin after you complete the required work experience.

While the prelicensure coursework requires the completion of 64 credits, the credits in the MSN-NP coursework depend on your chosen NP specialty. The prelicensure BSN coursework covers topics such as health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing promotion of mental health, healthcare research, management & leadership in nursing, healthcare ethics, and public health nursing. The master's coursework, comprising 36 to 42 credits, requires the completion of clinical & non-clinical courses and courses related to your NP specialty. Upon completion of this program, you’ll earn your BSN & MSN and gain the eligibility to take the NP certification exam.


Northeastern University Direct-Entry MSN Admission Requirements: To qualify for the Northeastern University direct-entry MSN program, you must have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also completing pre-requisite courses in statistics, developmental psychology, nutrition, and behavioral science is required. You must also be prepared to submit two letters of recommendation, a personal goal statement, and your official transcripts.


Interesting Highlights For Northeastern University Direct-Entry MSN Students

• Northeastern University direct-entry MSN students not only practice clinical skills at a variety of teaching and community hospitals but also serve the health & education needs by going through learning experiences in the school’s Wellness Van.
• Northeastern University's direct-entry MSN program offers several financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, loans, and grants.
• Northeastern University's direct-entry MSN program boasts an excellent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN and NP certification exams.


5. Simmons University - Boston


Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP)


About Simmons University: If you are seeking to enter the in-demand field of advanced practice but do not have a nursing degree, then Simmons University is an excellent place to start. Whether you enter with a degree in engineering or psychology, you’ll leave the university, equipped with excellent skills in evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and clinical reasoning.


Simmons University Direct-Entry MSN Program Details: One of our other featured direct-entry MSN programs in Massachusetts, Simmons University’s direct-entry MSN leads to the FNP certification. The 96-credit program is a seamless pathway for non-nurses like you who are wishing to transition into the field of primary care. The well-rounded curriculum prepares you to work in a variety of healthcare settings.

The program is offered in the on-campus format and starts with four semesters of pre-licensure coursework. The pre-licensure coursework prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam after which you’ll enter into the master’s portion of the program.

The master’s portion of the program mainly consists of the graduate core, research courses, and FNP-related courses. The master’s coursework can be completed either part-time or full-time. Based on the schedule you enroll in, you’ll complete the direct-entry MSN program within three to four years.

The pre-licensure coursework comprises courses in advanced pathophysiology, nursing fundamentals, evidence-based practice, and the fundamentals of nursing practice. On the other hand, the master’s or post-licensure coursework mainly includes courses in advanced pharmacology, health assessment, health promotion, research methods, and healthcare management of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.


Simmons University Direct-Entry MSN Admission Requirements: To qualify for Simmons University’s direct-entry MSN, you must foremost have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Further, you must have completed the prescribed prerequisite courses. The program also requires you to submit your goal statement, current resume, three letters of recommendation, and your official transcripts. This direct-entry MSN program in Massachusetts offers admission on a rolling basis, so ensure you apply early.


Interesting Highlights For Simmons University Direct-Entry MSN Students

• Simmons University's direct-entry MSN program is taught by an accomplished faculty who are leaders and nationally recognized researchers and clinicians.
• Simmons University direct-entry MSN students have access to an enormous pool of resources. Located right amidst renowned research and healthcare centers, students have plenty of learning opportunities to explore.
• Simmons University direct-entry MSN students will be part of a large alumni network of 4,858 plus graduates who are holding pivotal positions across the globe.


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