4 Best RN-to-MSN Programs in Ohio – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Have you given up on your nursing career ambitions in Ohio because you only have an associate nursing degree? You don’t need a BSN to enroll in one of the RN-to-MSN programs in Ohio. These programs impart the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner, a nurse executive, a nurse educator, or whatever specialty is close to your heart. As a graduate of an accelerated MSN program in the Buckeye State, you’ll make about $113,850 a year. Quite a few of these programs are taught online, which makes it easier to juggle work and family obligations. One of the 4 best RN-to-MSN programs in Ohio for 2025 below may fit your needs.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN OHIO (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our
ranking methodology, the following are the 4 Best RN-to-MSN Programs in Ohio (Online & Campus).)
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Leadership, and Nursing Education
Program Details: If you are keen on completing your RN to MSN education from one of the best RN-to-MSN programs in Ohio, then you should check out the RN to MSN program offered by Usuline College. The program’s personalized attention and dedicated faculty will help you in reaching your academic as well as professional goals.
This RN-to-MSN program requires you to complete the RN to BSN as well as MSN courses. Some of the courses that are included in the RN to BSN portion of the program teach you about holistic nursing practice, evidence-based practice, professional nursing leadership theory, and lifespan development. After completing the RN to BSN courses, you progress to the graduate nursing courses that lead to the MSN degree. Further, you can progress through the program by obtaining specialized skills either in advanced practice nursing, nursing leadership, or nursing education.
The advanced practice RN to MSN tracks prepare you for direct patient care roles in adult-gerontology care, family health, and psychiatric mental health. Alternatively, if you're inclined towards playing indirect patient care roles, you can choose to complete your RN to MSN either in nursing leadership or education.
Admission Requirements: To apply for this RN-to-MSN program in Ohio, you must have an ADN with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Also, your RN license must be active and unencumbered in Ohio. To complete the application requirements, you must submit a personal statement, a resume, and a professional letter of recommendation.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Ursuline College RN-to-MSN Students
• Ursuline College’s RN-to-MSN program maintains small-sized classes to ensure you receive one-on-one attention in a virtual learning environment. Even though the program is offered online, the personalized touch allows you to nurture close bonds with faculty and peers.
• Ursuline College’s RN to MSN program enjoys close partnerships with some of the eminent health systems in Cleveland.
• Ursuline College’s RN to MSN program ranks among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report. Further, being a designated Center of Excellence, you can rest assured of receiving top-quality RN to MSN education.
• Ursuline College’s RN to MSN program offers dual enrollment, wherein, if you are completing your associate degree at a partner institution, you’ll concurrently be able to take some of the BSN courses. The dual enrollment helps you save on time and tuition dollars.
Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration & Health Systems Leadership, and Nurse Educator
Program Details: Kent State University not only offers one of the best RN-to-MSN programs in Ohio but also provides a wide range of specialization options in direct and indirect patient care. Whether you desire to become an advanced practice nurse in areas of adult gerontology care, family health, pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, or women’s health or aspire to play leadership roles, here, you’ll be put on a path to professional as well as personal success.
While some of the RN to MSN tracks are 100% online, the others are offered in a hybrid format. Aside from this, all the RN to MSN tracks are offered with full-time and part-time plans to help accommodate the busy schedules of working nurses.
While the total credit requirements vary between 35 to 47, depending on the RN to MSN track you choose, regardless of which, you’ll complete core MSN and specialty-specific courses. The core courses teach you advanced nursing informatics, health policy, advanced nursing practice, the theoretical basis for nursing practice, and methods of inquiry. Further, the specialization-specific courses prepare you for the certification exam and advanced practice within your chosen focus area.
Admission Requirements: This RN-to-MSN program in Ohio follows a holistic admission process, wherein every aspect of your application will be looked into for deciding the admission. But foremost, you must have an active and unencumbered RN license in Ohio. Further, the school requires you to have either an accredited BSN or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, the school requires you to submit a resume, a personal essay, and three letters of reference. Besides, completion of an undergraduate course in statistics is also required.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Kent State University RN-to-MSN Students
• Kent State University nursing school is a designated Center of Excellence in nursing education. So, as an RN to MSN student, you can expect an education that is of high standards.
• Kent State University nursing school offers top-quality RN to MSN education at affordable tuition costs. Further, the school offers several financial aid opportunities to cut down on tuition costs.
• Kent State University’s RN to MSN program allows you to complete your clinical training within your geographical location. With the wide network of clinical affiliations in the state, the school helps you in finding a suitable placement with qualified preceptors.
Specialties Offered: Nursing Leadership and Nursing Education
Program Details: Mercy College of Ohio’s RN to MSN program seamlessly takes your associate degree straight to the MSN level. As one of the faith-based RN-to-MSN programs in Ohio, the program is rooted in the Catholic values of service and compassion. Here, you can choose to complete your RN to MSN either in nursing leadership or nursing education, based on whether you want to play leadership roles or you desire to teach.
Regardless of the RN to MSN track you enroll in, you’ll require completing 32 to 39 credits in BSN, MSN, and specialty-specific courses. The BSN courses educate you on nursing informatics, population health assessment, evidence-based practice, and current issues in nursing. Further, the MSN core courses that are common to both tracks, cover topics such as nursing research, healthcare policy in the global community, population-based healthcare, and nursing informatics.
If you choose the nursing leadership track, you’ll gain proficiency in leadership & strategic management, strategic management of human resources, and financial management. On the other hand, the nursing education track makes you proficient in teaching & learning strategies in nursing education, advanced nursing curriculum design, and evaluation methods in nursing education.
Admission Requirements: This RN-to-MSN program in Ohio is open to registered nurses who have an associate degree in nursing from an accredited college. To qualify, your minimum GPA must be 3.0. To complete your application, you must be prepared to submit your official transcripts, a resume, and a copy of your active and unencumbered RN license.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Mercy College of Ohio RN-to-MSN Students
• Mercy College of Ohio offers generous funding opportunities that can considerably bring down the cost of your RN to MSN program.
• Mercy College of Ohio’s faculty is not only distinguished but also committed to the academic and professional success of RN to MSN students, inculcating in them an attitude of lifelong learning and social service.
• Mercy College of Ohio partners with several prominent healthcare facilities in the state, thereby providing RN to MSN students with a range of learning opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings. Aside from this, if you are an employee of any of its healthcare partners, you may be eligible for a special tuition discount.
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Generalist, Nurse Administrator, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Program Details: If you are eager to launch your career in advanced nursing practice, then Franklin University’s RN to MSN program can help you reach this goal rather quickly. Among the popular RN-to-MSN programs in Ohio, the program not only offers an accelerated format of study but also gets you started faster through an easy admission process. Here, you can choose from five RN to MSN tracks, based on your professional interests and goals. So, you can decide to enroll in either the adult gerontology primary care track, family health track, psychiatric mental health track, nurse administrator track, or generalist track.
Depending on the RN to MSN track you choose, you’ll be able to graduate within 19 to 30 months. While the generalist track is the fastest, if you enroll in any of the NP tracks, you’ll take almost 30 to 31 months to graduate. Each RN to MSN track starts with bridge courses, before progressing to the MSN core and specialty-specific courses. If you choose any of the NP tracks, you’ll require to complete around 41 credits, whereas the generalist or nursing administration tracks comprise around 33 to 38 credits.
The RN-to-MSN NP tracks prepare you for three in-demand advanced practice roles, whereas the generalist and administrations prepare you for advanced leadership positions in healthcare.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for this RN to MSN program, regardless of the specialization you choose you must have an associate degree or diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.75. Further, you must have an active and unencumbered RN license in Ohio.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Franklin University RN-to-MSN Students
• Franklin University’s RN to MSN program can be made inflation-proof by locking the tuition costs. This means you’ll be paying the same costs from the beginning to the end of your RN to MSN program.
• Being a non-profit, Franklin University’s RN-to-MSN program is quite affordable compared to other RN-to-MSN programs in Ohio.
• Franklin University’s RN to MSN program is designed to accommodate the needs of working students who prefer the utmost flexibility. In addition to offering most of its courses online, the school uses virtual simulation software to enhance your clinical skills before you transition to real-world clinical training.
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