4 Best RN-to-MSN Programs in Georgia – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

As an ADN-educated RN in Georgia, have you worried that your lack of a BSN is holding you back from professional opportunities? Enrolling in one of the RN-to-MSN programs in Georgia is a quick and cost-effective way to get the training and academic credibility you need. Graduates of these accelerated programs in the Peach State earn salaries that average $111,910 a year. These programs will prepare you for a career as a nurse manager, a nurse educator, or a nurse practitioner in a wide range of clinical specialties. One of the great things about RN-to-MSN programs in the Peach State? Many are offered online. Discover more as you go through this list of the 4 best RN-to-MSN programs in Georgia for 2025.


WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 4 Best RN-to-MSN Programs in Georgia (Online & Campus).)

1. Georgia State University - Atlanta


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


Program Details: If you are searching for the best online RN-to-MSN programs in Georgia, then you must know about Georgia State University’s RN-to-MSN program. With the majority of coursework offered online, the program easily fits into the lives of busy nurses. The program prepares you for four in-demand areas of advanced practice nursing, including adult gerontology primary care, pediatric primary care, family health, and psychiatric mental health.

On a full-time basis, you can complete this RN to MSN program within two to three years, however, if you choose the part-time curriculum, you’ll graduate within three to four years. Regardless of the RN to MSN track you choose, you’ll require completing around 48 credits, including 22 credits in core courses and 26 in specialty-specific courses.

All of the RN to MSN tracks start with core courses that cover topics such as advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, the culture of healthcare, and interprofessional collaboration for advanced practice. Thereafter the program takes you through the specialty courses in your chosen advanced practice role. Upon completion of this program, you’ll be prepared for the NP certification exam.

Admission Requirements: This RN-to-MSN program in Georgia is designed for registered nurses who want to take the next step in their nursing careers. You can either enter this program after an ADN or post your BSN. Additionally, to complete the application requirements, you must submit two letters of recommendation, a resume, a statement of purpose, and all your transcripts.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Georgia State University RN-to-MSN Students

• Georgia State University extensively engages in community service, providing RN to MSN students with valuable clinical experiences while tending to the health needs of underserved and vulnerable communities in Atlanta. The nursing school reports providing 35,000 hours of unpaid service each year.
• Georgia State University nursing school boasts of an excellent pass rate on the NP national certification exams.
• Georgia State University nursing school has more than 55 years of experience in producing competent nurses, many of whom have gone on to become advanced practitioners, researchers, and educators.


2. Albany State University - Albany


Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator


Program Details: Do you desire to accelerate your journey toward advanced practice nursing? If so, Albany State University can help you achieve this goal by offering its RN to MSN program. Counted among the best online RN-to-MSN programs in Georgia, the program is not only fast-paced but also offered entirely online to accommodate the needs of working nurses.

By bypassing the BSN, the program quickly moves into the graduate portion, so that you can graduate with an MSN degree sooner than you think. Whether you desire to improve health by providing evidence-based primary care or you aspire to influence the future workforce of nurses, here you can enroll either in the family health or nursing education specialization.

This RN to MSN program is offered with full-time and part-time enrollment options. The common core courses that are included in both the RN to MSN tracks educate you on concepts in professional nursing practice, health assessment, community health nursing, nursing informatics, pathophysiology, and nursing leadership and management. After completing the core courses you are required to complete courses related to your chosen focus area. While the RN to MSN in family health comprises 44 credits, if you enroll in the nurse educator track, you’ll require completing 36 credits.

Admission Requirements: To enter this RN-to-MSN program in Georgia, regardless of whether you choose the FNP or nurse educator track, you must have an associate degree or a BSN from an accredited college. Also, your GPA must be at least 3.0. Besides, your RN license must be active and unencumbered in Georgia. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit two references, a resume, and all your transcripts.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Albany State University RN-to-MSN Students

• Albany State University nursing school maintains ties with extensive clinical partners, including leading healthcare centers and hospitals across the state and beyond.
• Albany State University’s RN to MSN students are equipped with employable skills, little wonder that they are desired by local employers.
• Albany State University offers RN to MSN students with several funding options in form of scholarships, financial aid opportunities, loans, and grants.


3. Thomas University - Thomasville


Specialties Offered: Nursing Administration and Nursing Education


Program Details: At Thomas University, you can advance your career from a registered nurse to a nurse leader in very little time. The school’s RN to MSN program expands on your RN education and builds your skills in evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making. Aside from this, being a non-profit, Thomas University offers one of the most affordable RN-to-MSN programs in Georgia.

Here, the RN to MSN program is offered with the nursing administration and nursing education tracks, so you can choose your career path, based on your interests. Regardless of the RN to MSN track you choose, you’ll complete the program entirely online. Each of these tracks requires completing 36 credits in core and specialty-specific courses. On a full-time basis, you can complete this program within 2.5 years.

Both of these tracks start with MSN core courses that educate you on information technology, advanced theoretical foundations, research design & methodologies, policy, law & ethics, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology, and health assessment. Also, the core course cover topics such as global perspectives on population-based health and leadership & financial management strategies. If you choose the administration track, you’ll learn about teaching strategies in nursing, and curriculum development, assessment & evaluation.

Admission Requirements: Similar to other online RN-to-MSN programs in Georgia, to qualify for admission, you must have an ADN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be valid in the state you intend to practice. Besides, you are required to submit a statement of purpose, three recommendations, and your official transcripts.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Thomas University RN-to-MSN Students

• Thomas University nursing school maintains strong collaborations and partnerships with prominent healthcare organizations in the state. Therefore, as an RN to MSN student, you can expect meaningful clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Thomas University’s RN to MSN enrolls nurses from diverse cultural backgrounds, creating an enriching learning environment where each student brings their unique experiences to the RN to MSN classroom.
• Thomas University’s RN to MSN offers several financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make your education rather affordable.


4. South University - Savannah


Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner


Program Details: South University trains you with a well-rounded advanced practice nursing education. This RN-to-MSN program in Georgia, leading to the FNP certification, prepares you to provide evidence-based primary care to individuals and families across their lifespans.

The RN to MSN in family health is a 42-credit coursework that requires you to complete core and specialization-specific courses. You start the program by strengthening your core in topics such as transformational leadership in advanced practice, advanced theoretical perspectives, advanced pathophysiology, health policy & promotion, and nursing research methods. Thereafter, you continue with the program to take the FNP-related courses that make you proficient in advanced health assessment and family healthcare management. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to take the FNP certification exam.

Admission Requirements: To be considered for this RN-to-MSN program in Georgia, you must have an associate degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Additionally, your RN license must be valid and unencumbered in your practice state. Additionally, to fulfill the admission requirements, you are required to submit your official transcripts, a resume, and a copy of your RN license.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential South University RN-to-MSN Students

• South University nursing school offers a close-knit and supportive learning environment to help RN to MSN students reach their academic and professional goals.
• South University nursing school provides military benefits to RN to MSN students coming from the defense forces.
• South University’s RN to MSN program is designed to suit the needs of working students. Here, you’ll complete your education through flexible online classes that can easily fit into your busy life schedule.


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