19 Best MSN Programs in Illinois – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
MSN programs in Illinois can be your gateway to a more dynamic career and a higher earning potential. Nursing master’s tracks in the Land of Lincoln can prepare you for opportunities in advanced practice nursing, executive administration and management, informatics, nursing education, and several other specialties. Many of these Master’s of Science in Nursing pathways are offered over the Internet, so you’ll be able to enroll without disrupting your life. You can expect a median yearly salary of $123,670 and burgeoning employment prospects that will increase by 41 percent within just 10 years. If you’re a nurse with ambitions, you owe it to yourself to learn more by reading the guide below to the 19 best MSN programs in Illinois.
WHAT ARE THE BEST MSN PROGRAMS IN ILLINOIS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 19 Best Master of Science in Nursing Programs in Illinois (Online & Campus) for 2025.1. Rush University - Chicago
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
Program Details: Rush University’s APRN pathways are now affiliated with its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. However, the university’s Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) program continues to offer a 37-credit/500-clinical-hour concentration in Clinical Nurse Leadership. This part-time program is ideal for working RNs; you’ll only take two classes each semester. Classes begin in the spring, summer, and fall.
Coursework is delivered online asynchronously using the Canvas Learning Management System, though you’ll make two brief visits to the Chicago campus throughout the two years you’re enrolled in the program. Courses include “Health Care Economics, Policy and Finance,” “Research for Evidence Based Practice,” and “Advanced Health Assessment for Advanced Practice Nursing Across the Life Span.” Clinical practicums can be completed close to your home, even at the healthcare facility where you’re employed if you prefer.
Applicants must have a valid RN license and a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; you must submit three professional references, a statement of purpose, and a resume with your application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• U.S. News & World Report has dubbed this MSN program in Illinois the top Clinical Nurse Leader Master’s track in the nation.• Rush University caps each MSN class size at 30.
2. Saint Xavier University - Chicago
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator
Program Details: Saint Xavier University is one of the best MSN programs in Illinois for RNs who struggle to balance work and family obligations with their educational goals because it offers nursing master’s degrees via distance learning. You’ll choose between two specialties: The 29-credit Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) pathway entails 600 clinical hours and two visits to Saint Xavier’s campus in Chicago, while the 38-credit Nurse Educator track can be entirely completed online except for a capstone practicum in your final semester.
Core nursing courses common to both SXU MSN pathways include “Epidemiology and Population Based Health Care,” “Culture, Communication and Conflict Resolution in Interprofessional Practice,” and “Philosophical and Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice.” FNP students start doing clinical practicums during their final three semesters at healthcare facilities close to where they reside. Applicants must have an unencumbered RN license in the state where they’ll be doing clinical rotations and a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from an accredited nursing program. You must submit two professional references, a resume, and a personal statement with your application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• The National League for Nursing has named Saint Xavier University a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.• U.S. News & World Report nominated this MSN program in Illinois as the third-best nursing master’s in the nation.
• Although Saint Xavier University is a Catholic university, it welcomes students from all faiths, and religious tenets are not reflected in its curricula.
3. Loyola University Chicago - Maywood
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Nursing and Healthcare Administration
MSN Program Details: Like several other MSN programs in Illinois, Loyola University Chicago’s APRN pathways are now part of its DNP offerings. The university’s 39-credit non-clinical Nursing and Healthcare Administration major will prepare you for executive leadership roles in the nursing sector. Coursework is delivered in a hybrid format that combines online courses with an immersion experience at Loyola’s Health Sciences campus in Maywood. The curriculum includes classes like “Social Justice and Ethics in Health Care,” “Health Care Delivery and Organization,” and “Advanced Quality and Safety in Health Care,” as well as a 56-hour practicum in the last semester. You can complete your practicum in your own geographical area.
This MSN program in Illinois has start dates in the spring and fall. Applicants must be BSN graduates with RN licensure. Along with your application, you must hand in two letters of recommendation, an essay addressing your professional nursing goals, and a resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Loyola University Chicago is a Catholic university. Though it’s open to students of all religious backgrounds, its teaching incorporates the Jesuit values of a more just society through service to others.• More than 80 percent of Loyola University Chicago’s nursing faculty hold doctoral degrees.
4. Lewis University - Romeoville
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Healthcare Systems Leadership, Nursing Education, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, School Nurse, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: Lewis University’s MSN program in Illinois offers six concentrations: four nurse practitioner pathways (AGPCNP, AGACNP, FNP, and PMHNP) and three non-clinical tracks (Nursing Education, School Nurse, and Healthcare Systems Leadership.) It also offers programs in an amazing variety of formats, including 8-week accelerated, 16-week regular, online, and evening courses at the university’s campus in Oak Brook.
The AGPCNP and AGACNP pathways both entail 46 credits and 540 clinical hours. The FNP track requires 48 credits and 630 clinical hours, while the PMHNP track requires 49 credits and 540 clinical hours. You’ll need to complete 450 clinical hours for the 38-credit School Nurse and 40-credit Nursing Education programs. The 36-credit Healthcare Systems Leadership program requires 300 clinical hours.
All programs share a standard core nursing curriculum that includes courses like “Healthcare Organizations, Systems, and Policy,” “Population Health,” and “Healthcare Informatics.” Students are expected to play an active role in helping to identify their clinical rotation sites. Like all MSN programs in Illinois, Lewis University’s MSN degree is only open to BSN-educated RNs with active, unencumbered licenses. You must submit two professional references, a resume, and an essay explaining how Lewis University’s MSN program can help you attain your professional goals with your application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Lewis University offers a dual MSN/Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) degree option.• Lewis University has a comparatively low student/instructor ratio of 12/1.
5. Northern Illinois University - DeKalb
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Education
Program Details: Northern Illinois University-DeKalb offers two nursing Master’s pathways that can help registered nurses expand their career opportunities. The 50-credit FNP pathway involves a minimum of 572 clinical hours, while the 41-credit Nurse Education track includes three internships in classroom, clinical, and direct care settings. Both programs are offered online, either full-time or part-time. Core nursing classes for both programs include “Educational Statistics,” “Informatics for Evidence-Based Nursing,” and “Advanced Nursing Leadership.” This MSN program in Illinois has a full-time clinical coordinator who can help you identify appropriate practicum and internship sites.
You can start this MSN program in Illinois in the spring or fall. All applicants must hold RN licensure in Illinois and be graduates of an accredited BSN program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. You must submit three recommendations and a statement of purpose with your application. RNs applying to the Nurse Education specialty must have at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in a specialty area within the past three years.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Northern Illinois University-DeKalb has a liberal credit transfer policy: You may be able to transfer as many as six credits of classes taken elsewhere toward this degree.• FNP graduates are eligible for nurse practitioner certification in Illinois and Wisconsin.
6. University of St. Francis - Joliet
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administrator, Nursing Educator, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: University of St. Francis-Joliet offers four online MSN programs. Depending upon the electives you choose, the FNP and PMHNP pathways will require between 47 and 56 credits for completion, while the Nursing Educator track entails 40 to 49 credits. You must complete 36 to 42 credits for the Nursing Administration track. Core nursing courses for all four specialties include “Advanced Practice Nursing: Roles and Issues,” “Biostatistics and Research,” and “Evidence-Based Health Care.” You can begin coursework for all four specialties in the spring and fall; the Nursing Administrator program also accepts new students in the summer term. Semesters last for 15 weeks.
Clinical rotations are scheduled at sites affiliated with the Health Resources and Service Administration’s Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (ANEW) initiative. To be admitted into this MSN program in Illinois, you must have a BSN with an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher and a valid registered nursing license. All applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae, and an essay with their applications and sit for a personal interview.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• University of St. Francis-Joliet also offers an RN-to-BSN-to-MSN bridge program available to registered nurses who do not have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.• University of St. Francis-Joliet offers significant tuition discounts to employees of numerous healthcare systems, including Advocate Health Care, Ascension, OSF Health Systems, Shriners Hospitals, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Administration.
7. Elmhurst University - Elmhurst
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN and MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Nurse Administrator, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Nurse Educator
RN-to-MSN Program Details: Elmhurst University offers RNs whose baccalaureate degree is not in nursing the opportunity to complete an MSN without first obtaining a BSN. The program admits new students each fall and is only open to applicants who’ve already passed the NCLEX-RN exam after graduating from an associate nursing degree or hospital diploma program. You must have at least one year of professional experience and submit three professional references with your application.
Courses are offered online, but you must attend one intensive skills-building workshop at the university’s campus in Elmhurst. Clinical experiences are arranged at sites close to where you live. Upon completion of a bridge course during which you’ll have to demonstrate baccalaureate-level nursing competencies, you’ll be able to proceed with the traditional MSN curriculum. Most students can finish this program in 20 months.
MSN Program Details: Elmhurst University’s nursing master’s program offers three concentrations that focus on nursing leadership: clinical nurse leader, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Each of these three pathways will require you to complete 33 credits. This is one of the best MSN programs in Illinois for working RNs because the hybrid program is part-time with no campus visits, and courses are taught in intensive seven-week blocks.
Most students complete their MSN requirements in two years. You’ll spend your first year pursuing the core nursing curriculum, which includes such classes as “Theories in Nursing and Clinical Leadership,” “Health Care Systems: Organization, Policy and Finance,” and “Management of Clinical Outcomes.” You’ll begin learning about your specialty concentration at the start of your second year and participate in two clinical experiences. This MSN program in Illinois is only open to BSN-educated students with current Illinois RN licensure whose undergraduate GPA was 3.0 or higher. With your application, you must submit three recommendations, a resume, and a goal statement.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Elmhurst University offers a dual MSN/MBA degree option.• All three Elmhurst University MSN concentrations culminate with a clinical residency at a healthcare facility in your own geographical area.
8. Bradley University - Peoria
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN and MSN
RN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Nursing Administration
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Nursing Administration
RN-to-MSN Program Details: Are you a registered nurse with an ADN degree who dreams of becoming a nurse practitioner or a nursing executive? Bradley University offers a 73-credit RN-to-MSN pathway (750 clinical hours), during which you’ll complete seven undergraduate courses and five supervised experiences providing direct patient care before joining one of the cohorts pursuing Bradley University’s traditional MSN program in Illinois. Choose between adult-gerontology acute care nurse practice, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practice, family nurse practice, psychiatric-mental health nurse practice, or nursing administration. Finishing this program will take approximately 40 months (3.3 years).
MSN Program Details: Bradley University’s MSN program offers registered nurses the opportunity to qualify in five unique specialties. You can enroll in a 47-credit (600 clinical hours) AGACNP track, a 47-credit (600 clinical hours) AGPCNP track, a 50-credit (700 clinical hours) FNP track, a 51-credit (600 clinical hours) PMHNP track, or a 31-credit Nursing Administration track. Core nursing courses include “Nursing Theories: Analysis and Development,” “Healthcare Policy,” and “Evidence Based Practice.” The program culminates with a capstone project during which you’ll synthesize the information you’ve learned in class and apply it to a challenge you’ve faced in your practicums.
All coursework is taught online. Bradley University’s clinical placement support services will work hard to help you find practicums at healthcare facilities close to where you live. Applicants must have valid RN licensure in the state where they’ll be doing clinical rotations and a BSN with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited nursing program. You must submit an essay with your application. Work experience isn’t required, but RNs with professional experience in a relevant area are given preference.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Bradley University’s MSN program requires no campus residencies.• Class sizes range between 6 and 20, making it easy to get the type of individualized attention from your instructors that will facilitate learning.
9. DePaul University - Chicago
Programs Offered: RN-to-MSN and MSN
RN-to-MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Administrator
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Administrator
RN-to-MSN Program Details: Except for 600 hours of clinical rotation, DePaul University’s RN-to-MSN curriculum is offered entirely online. Students who only have an ADN or hospital diploma must complete six undergraduate bridge courses designed to bring them to the BSN level of competence; ADN-educated students with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields only have to complete three bridge courses. You must apply officially for DePaul to confer your BSN degree before you can move on to the Master’s portion of the curriculum.
Once you complete the BSN-level requirements, you’ll earn your MSN by choosing one of four specialties: Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Nurse Administrator. This MSN program in Illinois strives to make clinical rotation placements as close as possible to students’ own homes.
MSN Program Details: DePaul University’s MSN program offers start dates in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. All courses are offered using distance-learning technology. Once you complete three core nursing courses—“Biostatistics and Epidemiology,” “Pharmacology for Advanced Practice,” and “Graduate Research Synthesis”—you’ll move into one of four specialty curricula. The Adult-Gerontology NP track calls for 41 quarter credits, while the FNP pathway involves 42. Both nurse practitioner specialties entail 600 clinical hours. The 31-quarter-credit Nursing Administration track and the 30-quarter-credit Nursing Education pathway are both offered in partnership with Rosalind Franklin University. All four concentrations conclude with a capstone where you’ll apply nursing theory to real-life problems.
You must submit your application using the CAS system. A curriculum vitae, two recommendation letters, and a personal essay addressing why DePaul University is a good fit for your professional goals must accompany your application. All applicants must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and an RN license in the state where they’ll complete their practicums.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• DePaul University also offers a Master’s Direct Entry Program (MENP) for non-nurses.• While DePaul University is a Catholic institution, it welcomes students from diverse faith backgrounds, and its instruction does not reflect Catholic tenets.
10. Millikin University - Decatur
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Nurse Educator
Program Details: Are you a registered nurse who enjoys demonstrating what you know and helping other RNs develop professionally? Then Millikin University’s nursing master’s degree, with its Nurse Educator concentration, may be one of the best MSN programs in Illinois for you. You can pursue this MSN program in Illinois either full-time or part-time.
The curriculum consists of eight courses, including “Educator Roles & Responsibilities,” “Theories and Principles of Teaching and Learning,” and “Measurement and Evaluation of Learning.” The program culminates with a 200-hour nursing residency and an MSN project that synthesizes the concepts you’ve learned in nursing classes with a challenge you’ve encountered while teaching. This program is only open to BSN-educated RNs with Illinois licensure and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. All applications must be submitted through NursingCAS, and you must submit a curriculum vitae and a personal statement with your application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Millikin University also offers an 81-credit (800 clinical hours) MENP program for individuals who want to enter nursing and have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing.• You’ll get plenty of individualized attention as a Millikin University MSN student because the average class size is only 16 students.
11. Olivet Nazarene University - Bourbonnais
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, and Transformational Leadership
Program Details: Among Olivet Nazarene University’s MSN specialties is a 34-credit Transformational Leadership concentration focusing on healthcare financing, communication, and conflict resolution, which none of the other MSN programs in Illinois offer. Other Olivet MSN specialties include a 52-credit FNP pathway and a 36-credit Nursing Education pathway. Olivet’s MSN curriculum is offered entirely online except for clinical coursework, which you’ll have the opportunity to complete at a healthcare facility in your own geographical area.
The FNP program takes 36 months (three years) to complete and has start dates in October, November, March, and April. The Nursing Education pathway begins in September and lasts 30 months (two and a half years.) The Transformational Leadership track has a September enrollment and can be completed in 24 months (two years.)
This program is only open to licensed RNs who have at least 2,000 hours of professional experience and a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Olivet Nazarene University also offers an RN-to-MSN bridge program for registered nurses with ADNs or hospital diplomas.• Olivet Nazarene University is affiliated with the affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, and Christian tenets play a prominent role in its educational instruction. If you are accepted into this MSN program in Illinois, you must agree to abide by the university's ethical and moral principles.
12. McKendree University - Lebanon
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Nursing Education, Nursing Management/Administration, Population Health, and School Nurse Endorsement
Program Details: McKendree University’s MSN program is offered entirely online. This MSN program in Illinois has three specialties: Nursing Education, Nursing Management/Administration, and Population Health. Including core nursing courses, all three tracks require 33 credits to complete. You can also earn a School Nurse Endorsement at McKendree by completing two courses plus a school nursing internship (10 credits.)
Core nursing courses include “Health Policy and Legal Aspects in Healthcare,” “Ethics, Social Justice, Diversity, and Health Equity,” and “Population Health and Epidemiology.” Most courses are taught over eight weeks, though a few last 16 weeks. Each MSN track involves 150 practicum hours in divided increments, which you can do at healthcare facilities close to your home. All applicants must have a valid RN license and a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A curriculum vitae, an essay that speaks to your professional goals, and three professional references must accompany your application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• No fee is required to apply to McKendree University’s MSN program.• Small classes of 15 or fewer students will help you maximize your learning potential.
13. North Park University-Chicago - Chicago
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Leadership & Management
Program Details: When you enroll in North Park University-Chicago’s MSN program in Illinois, you can pursue one of three concentrations: a 47-credit AGPCNP pathway, a 52-credit FNP pathway, or a 34-credit Leadership & Management track. The AGPCNP and FNP pathways entail 765 clinical hours, while the Leadership & Management track requires 330 practicum hours. NP students will learn and practice procedures in the university’s state-of-the-art simulation lab, a 3,000-square-foot facility with hospital equipment and high-tech manikins that can be programmed to replicate various healthcare scenarios. Practicums and other clinical experiences occur at leading healthcare facilities throughout the Chicago metro area, such as NorthShore University HealthSystem and Swedish Hospital.
All three concentrations share core nursing courses like “Health Care Systems: Organizations and Resources,” “Population-Based Healthcare,” and “Scientific Inquiry and Knowledge Development.” The Leadership & Management curriculum includes eight elective credits that you must select from the School of Business and Nonprofit Management’s course list.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• North Park University-Chicago has an MSN/MBA dual degree pathway.• Core nursing courses are taught in the late afternoons and evenings to make it easy for working RNs to fit them into their schedules.
• North Park University-Chicago is a Christian university with ties to the Evangelical Covenant Church; while the university welcomes students from many different religious backgrounds, Christian philosophy plays a vital role in its educational offerings.
14. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Edwardsville
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Healthcare & Nursing Administration, Healthcare & Nursing Administration / Healthcare Informatics, and Nurse Educator
Program Details: Like several other MSN programs in Illinois, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s nursing master’s program offers only non-clinical concentrations because its APRN programs are now a part of its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. SIUE offers three MSN specialties: a 33-credit (315 practicum hours) Healthcare & Nursing Administration pathway, a 57-credit dual major Healthcare and Nursing Administration / Healthcare Informatics pathway, and a 33-credit Nurse Educator track.
In your first year, you’ll take core nursing courses such as “Evaluating Evidence for Improving Practice & Healthcare Outcomes,” “Leadership and Health Policy for Advanced Nursing Practice,” and “Biostats/Epidemiology.” At the beginning of your second year, you’ll begin the coursework associated with your chosen concentration. Nurses who want to balance their education with work or other commitments can pursue this MSN program in Illinois part-time.
For admission, you must have a nursing baccalaureate from an accredited program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a valid RN license in the state where you’ll be doing practicums. Preference is given to applicants with at least one year of professional experience. You must submit three letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose with your application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Courses are offered entirely online except for practicum experiences. No campus visits are required.• Students spend time with nursing leaders at practicums in hospital and clinic settings close to where they live.
15. Benedictine University - Lisle
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive Leader
Program Details: Interested in becoming a leader in the nursing profession? Benedictine University’s nursing master’s program offers Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive Leader concentrations that can help put you front and center in the field of healthcare. The Nurse Educator concentration involves 39 credits, while the Nurse Executive Leadership concentration entails 36 credits. Both concentrations share a 15-credit core nursing curriculum with classes like “Health Promotion and Interprofessional Collaboration,” “Ethical and Culturally Competent Healthcare Professional,” and “Quality Improvement and Safety in Healthcare Systems.” Both specialties involve a 70-hour clinical immersion and a capstone project where they apply the nursing theory they’ve learned to a real-world challenge.
This MSN program in Illinois starts in January, May, and August. Except for practicums, courses are taught entirely online. You’ll take one course every eight-week session, which makes Benedictine University’s MSN program ideal for working nurses or nurses who have significant personal commitments. This program is only available to BSN-educated applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher who have a valid RN license. You must submit one letter of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of goals with your application.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• You can pursue concurrent MSN and MBA degrees at Benedictine University.• Benedictine University’s student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, helping ensure you get the personalized attention you need to succeed at your nursing master’s studies.
16. Methodist College - Peoria
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Generalist and Nurse Educator
Program Details: If you’re an RN who’s interested in a flexible degree that lays a strong foundation for further specializations down the line through certifications and continuing education, Methodist College’s Generalist MSN concentration may be just what you’re looking for. This MSN program in Illinois also offers a Nurse Educator pathway. Both Methodist College MSN specialties require you to complete 35 credits plus a student internship. Core nursing courses common to both concentrations include “Theoretical Foundations of Nursing,” “Roles, Issues, and Public Health Policy,” and “Statistical Analysis in Clinical Research and Nursing Practice.”
Most of your courses will be taught on campus. The program accepts new MSN cohorts each fall, but you may be able to get administrative approval to start in the spring semester. You’ll need to submit two letters of recommendation with your application. This program is only available to applicants with a BSN and an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Want to shift careers and become a nurse leader? Methodist College offers an MSN-Prelicensure program for individuals who have no RN training but who have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major. In five semesters (70 credits), you can qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam and earn a nursing master’s degree.• Methodist College is associated with the UnityPoint Health System, and many of its MSN graduates go on to work at UnityPoint healthcare facilities.
17. Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences - Quincy
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Education and Administration
Program Details: You know the MSN education you receive at Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences will be high-quality because Blessing-Rieman has been educating nurses for more than 130 years. This MSN program in Illinois offers concentrations in Administration and Education. Both concentrations entail 42-44 credits and involve relevant practicums and the completion of two nursing research projects. Core nursing courses common to both curricula include “Professional Role Development and Principles of Advanced Practice,” “Statistics for the Health Professional,” and “Population Health Across the Healthcare Continuum I & II.”
This MSN program is completely online, and you can enroll part-time or full-time. You’ll participate in practicums at a location that’s convenient to your home. To enroll in this program, you’ll need a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and proof of RN licensure.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences is another one of the MSN programs in Illinois that offers concurrent MSN/MBA degrees. Blessing-Rieman provides this option in partnership with Culver-Stockton College.• Blessing-Rieman can enroll distance-learning students from all states except California.
18. Governors State University - University Park
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Nursing Executive & Innovative Leadership, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Health, and Family Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: Working RNs will find Governors State University’s MSN program convenient since its hybrid course delivery is flexible enough to accommodate their needs. This MSN program in Illinois offers a 42-credit Clinical Specialist in Adult/Gerontological Health pathway, a 44-credit Family Nurse Practitioner pathway, and a 42-credit Nursing Executive & Innovative Leadership track.
Your only core nursing class will be “Theoretical Perspectives for Advanced Practice Nursing.” The two clinical pathways require you to complete 540 clinical hours, while the non-clinical executive nursing leadership track requires you to complete 135 practicum hours. You will be responsible for identifying your own clinical site and providing that site with enough information to secure a contract with Governors State University.
To be accepted into this program, you must have a valid, unencumbered RN license in the state where you’ll be doing your clinical rotations. All applicants must have a BSN from an accredited nursing program with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Governors State University accepts students into its FNP pathway twice a year in the spring and fall.• This MSN program in Illinois gives you the option of completing a master’s thesis instead of completing a capstone project, which may be helpful if you think you may want to earn a DNP at some point in the future.
19. Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences - Rock Island
Programs Offered: MSN
MSN Specialties Offered: Nurse Educator
Program Details: As an MSN student pursuing the 36-credit Nurse Educator concentration at Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences, you can continue working if you choose because didactic coursework is delivered online. The program also includes preceptor experiences, however, which you’ll have to complete in person. The curriculum consists of courses like “Curriculum Development & Evaluation of Learning Outcomes,” “Assessment & Evaluation of the Learner,” and “Technology in Health Care.” You will have to complete either a Master’s project or a thesis.
Three letters of recommendation and an essay addressing your career goals must accompany your application. Most candidates for admission will have a BSN from an accredited nursing program and an unrestricted RN license with at least one year of professional experience.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences also offers an MSN-DEP option for individuals who aren’t RNs and who have baccalaureate degrees in non-nursing majors.• This MSN program in Illinois will accept practicing registered nurses who don’t have BSN degrees so long as those RNs have completed coursework in statistics, health assessment, community nursing, and nursing research.
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