7 Best RN-to-MSN Programs in New Jersey – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
What can you do as a graduate of RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey? Employment opportunities include advanced practice nursing, nursing management, nursing education, and other specialized options in the Garden State’s healthcare industry. Quite a few of New Jersey’s RN-to-MSN programs are taught partly or wholly online, so you can learn at your own speed and arrange your studies around existing life obligations. RN-to-MSN program graduates make $138,140 annually on average. RN-to-MSN programs are an excellent career move if you’re an RN in the Garden State with an associate degree. Get started by looking through this list of the 7 best RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey for 2025.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our
ranking methodology, the following are the 7 Best RN-to-MSN Programs in New Jersey (Online & Campus).)
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration & Executive Nurse Leadership, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: Do you seek to complete your graduate nursing education from one of the best online RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey? If so, you can consider applying to Seton Hall University’s RN to MSN program. Here, you can gain specialized skills in adult gerontology acute care, pediatric primary care, psychiatric mental health, or nursing administration, based on where you find your calling. Offering quality graduate nursing education since 1975, the school has ever since produced competent practitioners who are improving health outcomes across the globe.
The RN to MSN in nursing leadership comprises 35 credits, whereas if you choose any of the NP tracks, the credit requirements will go up to around 48 credits. Regardless of the RN to MSN track you choose, you’ll graduate anywhere from two to four years, depending on whether you choose the part-time or full-time track.
Some of the core courses on which you’ll build specialized skills and knowledge include topics such as nursing research, health promotion, clinical pharmacology, advanced health assessment, healthcare economics and health policy, and healthcare economics & finance.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for this RN-to-MSN program in New Jersey, you must have a baccalaureate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, the school requires you to submit a statement of goals, letters of reference, and all your transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Seton Hall University RN-to-MSN Students
• Seton Hall University’s online graduate nursing education is ranked among the best in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report.
• Seton Hall University offers several funding opportunities, including scholarships, and financial aid opportunities. To know if you are eligible, you must contact the school’s financial aid office.
• Seton Hall University’s RN to MSN boasts of an impressive pass rate on all the national certification exams.
• Seton Hall University’s RN to MSN education is grounded in faith-based values of service, lifelong learning, and leadership.
Specialties Offered: Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Clinical Research Coordination
Program Details: By offering one of the best RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey, Montclair State University prepares you for advanced nursing positions in a variety of healthcare settings. This RN to MSN program is a bridge between your ADN and MSN, seamlessly allowing you to move to the graduate portion.
The program offers three concentrations, including nursing administration, nursing education, and clinical research coordination. Before starting with the graduate portion, you may require completing 13 credits of bridge courses, after which you’ll take the MSN core and concentration-specific courses.
All three RN to MSN tracks comprise 35 credits, covering core topics of nursing informatics, nursing research & evidence-based practice, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced health assessment, and genetics & genomics. The nursing administration track focuses on nursing leadership, resource utilization, and program planning & evaluation, whereas the nursing education concentration teaches you about assessment & evaluation, and curriculum development. On the other hand, the RN to MSN in clinical research coordination prepares you for research ethics and clinical research coordination.
Admission Requirements: This RN-to-MSN program in New Jersey is open to ADN-prepared registered nurses who have completed their non-bachelors in nursing. Further, you must possess an active RN license in New Jersey. To complete your application, you must be prepared to submit two recommendation letters, a personal statement, and all your official transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Montclair State University RN-to-MSN Students
• Montclair State University, being a public university, offers one of the most affordable RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey.
• Montclair State University maintains strong partnerships with several healthcare organizations to offer RN to MSN students who are employees of these organizations a 20% tuition discount.
• Montclair State University’s RN to MSN program’s faculty members are well-experienced and highly qualified practitioners. Their professional expertise brings valuable clinical insights to the RN to MSN classroom.
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: If you are shortlisting the best RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey, then the College of New Jersey’s RN-to-MSN program can be an excellent option. Here, you can advance either to family health, adult gerontology primary care, clinical nurse leadership, or neonatal care, depending on your preferred area of interest. Regardless of your chosen focus area, you begin the program with up to 16 credits of bridge courses, after which you’ll take the MSN core and specialty-specific courses.
If you choose to complete the RN to MSN program in any of the NP focus areas, then the credits required to graduate will be around 45. On the other hand, the clinical nurse leader track consists of 34.5 credits. Nevertheless, all the RN to MSN tracks require you to complete core courses that cover topics such as advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, health promotion, and nursing research & evidence-based knowledge.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for this RN-to-MSN program in New Jersey, you must be an RN with an ADN and a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Further, to complete the application process, you must submit documents such as your official transcripts, a resume, recommendations, and a personal essay.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential The College of New Jersey RN-to-MSN Students
• The College of New Jersey’s RN-to-MSN program offers several funding options in terms of financial options, including scholarships, graduate assistantships, and financial aid opportunities.
• The College of New Jersey nursing school reports that almost all of its RN to MSN graduates find jobs within six months of graduation.
• The College of New Jersey actively engages in community service, providing patient care to the local population. With more than 50 local healthcare partners, RN to MSN students not only participate in meaningful learning experiences but also engage in professional networking to help kickstart their advanced practice careers.
Specialties Offered: Nurse Practitioner (Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, & Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner) and Nursing Education
Program Details: If you are a registered nurse in New Jersey who wishes to move forward in your career, then Monmouth University’s RN to MSN program can be a perfect stepping stone to a successful career in advanced practice or nursing education. While the RN to MSN in nursing education track prepares you for faculty positions, the advanced practice tracks make you proficient in family healthcare, psychiatric mental healthcare, or adult gerontology primary care, depending on the advanced practice track you choose.
Regardless of the track you choose, the program begins with nine credits of bridge courses, after which you enter the graduate portion of the program. Because this RN-to-MSN program in New Jersey is designed for RNs holding a non-bachelors degree, you’ll not be awarded a BSN. Each RN to MSN track is built on a foundation of core courses, followed by advanced practice courses and specialty-specific courses.
The RN to MSN in nursing education comprises 33 credits, whereas any of the advanced practice specializations will require you to complete around 43 credits. Upon completion of this program, you’ll be eligible to take the national certification exam within your chosen area of focus.
Admission Requirements: To apply to this RN-to-MSN program in New Jersey, you must have an associate degree in nursing along with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Further, your GPA must be at least 3.0. The school also requires you to submit official transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal goal statement.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Monmouth University RN-to-MSN Students
• Monmouth University’s small-sized classes with a low student-to-faculty ratio offer personalized attention to RN to MSN students. Besides, you’ll have a dedicated coordinator who helps you find a suitable site and preceptor for your clinical placement.
• Monmouth University’s RN to MSN students have a wide range of clinical sites to choose from. This is because the nursing school has 500 plus clinical partners throughout the state. Also, RN to MSN students enjoy externship opportunities at partner healthcare centers, such as Hackensack Meridian Health and Monmouth Medical Center.
• Monmouth University’s RN-to-MSN program is typically designed to accommodate the needs of working nurses. The hybrid format of the program not only allows you to take some classes from the comfort of your home but also offers opportunities to personally interact with peers and faculty during the on-campus sessions.
• Monmouth University’s RN-to-MSN in nursing education may make you eligible for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, where you can have almost 85% of your student loan forgiven.
Program Details: If you looking at faith-based RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey, then you must certainly check out Saint Peter's University’s RN-to-MSN program. Saint Peter’s, being a Jesuit Catholic university, offers graduate nursing education that is grounded in the values of compassion, service, and health equity. The RN to MSN program is suitable for those registered nurses who want to specialize in adult-gerontology care.
When you enroll, you may have to complete bridge courses worth 14 credits. Thereafter, you continue with the program to complete the MSN and specialization-specific courses. The graduate portion of the RN to MSN program comprises a total of 39 credits. The core courses teach you current issues in healthcare, nursing theory, healthcare financing, and client education strategies. In addition, you’ll learn about topics such as advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, family systems & dynamics, and advanced health assessment. The adult-gerontology-specific courses equip you with skills in advanced practice adult-gerontology nursing.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for this RN-to-MSN program in New Jersey, you must have an ADN and a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Your undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.0. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, a current resume, and all your official transcripts. The program accepts applications on a rolling basis, so ensure you apply early to enhance the odds of your admission.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Saint Peter's University RN-to-MSN Students
• Saint Peter's University is highly ranked by the U.S. News & World Report for offering the best value.
• Saint Peter's University nursing school boasts of an excellent job placement rate, having most of its RN to MSN graduates find placements soon after graduation.
• Saint Peter's University nursing school offers several scholarships to bring down the cost of your RN to MSN education.
Specialties Offered: Nursing Leadership and Community Health Nursing
Program Details: Kean University offers one of the reputable RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey. The program’s graduates, equipped with the most up-to-date skillset can be found working in a variety of healthcare settings across the state. The school prepares you for leadership roles by offering two RN to MSN tracks, including nursing leadership and community health nursing.
The nursing leadership track focuses on transcultural nursing concepts whereas, the community health nursing specialization prepares you to provide patient care in community health settings. Both the RN to MSN tracks comprise courses that cover topics such as nursing science, healthcare informatics, healthcare policy & fiscal management in nursing, research and evidence-based nursing, organizational communications & systems leadership, and practice. While the nursing leadership track comprises 32 credits, the community health nursing specialization requires you to complete 38 credits.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for this RN-to-MSN program in New Jersey, you must have an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, you must have a valid and current RN license in New Jersey. Further, you must submit two letters of recommendation, a professional resume, a personal statement, and your official transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Kean University RN-to-MSN Students
• Kean University nursing school ranks among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Kean University nursing school faculty comprises experts including researchers, educators, and experienced practitioners.
• Kean University nursing school enrolls a diverse student population, creating a richly diverse environment where RN to MSN students develop cultural competence and graduate as culturally sensitive nurse leaders.
Specialties Offered: Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, and Nursing Informatics
Program Details: If you are searching for RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey that confer both, BSN and an MSN, then Thomas Edison State University’s RN-to-MSN program can be a perfect choice. Here, not only do you seamlessly earn two degrees, but you’ll also be equipped with excellent skills in nursing leadership. With three non-clinical specializations, you can choose to complete your RN to MSN either in nursing education, nursing administration, or nursing informatics.
The RN to MSN program first requires you to complete the undergraduate courses after which you’ll complete 36-credit worth of courses in MSN core and your chosen specialty. The MSN core courses, which are common to all the three RN to MSN tracks cover topics such as health policy, evidence-based practice, nursing informatics, nursing leadership, advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology.
If you choose the nursing education track, you’ll master concepts in instructional strategies, curriculum theory & development, and testing, assessment, and evaluation. On the other hand, the nursing administrator track equips you with skills in the executive managerial process, financial management, and resource acquisition and management. If you choose to complete your RN to MSN in nursing informatics, you’ll learn about databases & knowledge management and consumer informatics, and communications technologies.
Admission Requirements: This RN-to-MSN program accepts applications on a rolling basis, so you should apply early to increase your chances of admission. To qualify for admission, you must have an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited school with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, you must possess an RN license which is valid and unencumbered in your state of practice. You must submit your application along with the official transcripts and an application fee.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Thomas Edison State University RN-to-MSN Students
• Thomas Edison State University’s RN-to-MSN program offers small-sized classes to provide you with individualized attention. Also, in helping you achieve your career and professional goals, the program assigns an academic advisor who is with you at every step of your RN to MSN journey.
• Thomas Edison State University has earned the recognition of being a leader in online education. The RN to MSN program lives up to the high standards the school has set for delivering high-quality online education.
• Thomas Edison State University’s RN to MSN is offered at an affordable tuition cost compared to most other RN-to-MSN programs in New Jersey. Also, because the program has several scholarships and financial aid opportunities you’ll be able to save quite a bit on tuition dollars.
• Thomas Edison State University’s RN to MSN program is offered multiple times a year, so you’ll be able to begin your academic training whenever it is convenient for you.
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