RN-to-MSN Programs in Utah – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
You’re already a registered nurse in Utah! So what if you only have an associate degree in nursing or a hospital diploma? How will enrolling in one of the RN-to-MSN programs in Utah benefit you? Two words: career advancement! More professional opportunities are available to nurses who’ve completed a nursing master’s than for RNs. Enrolling in one of the Bee Hive State’s RN-to-MSN programs will qualify you for advanced positions in clinical practice, executive healthcare management, and nursing education. Your employment opportunities will increase by 60 percent within a decade, and as a graduate of one of these programs, you can count on making $124,570 annually. This fast-track nursing master’s is a win/win! Find out more about it by reviewing this list of the best RN-to-MSN programs in Utah.
WHAT ARE THE BEST RN-TO-MSN PROGRAMS IN UTAH(ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the Best RN-to-MSN Programs in Utah (Online & Campus) for 2026.1. Southern Utah University - Cedar City
Specialties Offered: Nursing in Leadership and Administration
Program Details: If you are a registered nurse interested in nursing leadership and administration, look for a program designed specifically for those specialties. In Utah, Southern Utah University offers an RN-to-MSN program with a Nursing in Leadership and Administration concentration. This RN-to-MSN program in Utah is designed for RNs with an associate degree in nursing. Students earn both a BSN and an MSN degree.
The program features an accelerated path, allowing you to complete your degree in as few as 20 months. You first complete the BSN, then transfer into the MSN in Leadership and Administration pathway. With six start dates each year, you can begin your studies at a time that works best for you. Additionally, all coursework is online, making this program an excellent option for busy working nurses.
The RN-to-MSN pathway requires 60 credit hours, including 30 undergraduate course credits and 30 graduate course credits. The curriculum includes classes such as Management of the Complex Patient for the RN to BSN, Integrated Pharmacology, Pathophysiology and Physical Assessment, Health Policy for Nurse Leaders, and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing Leadership. The program requires that students complete at least 90 clinical leadership hours, which you may complete at your workplace.
Admission Requirements: Southern Utah University uses a streamlined admission process designed to help you start easily and quickly. To be considered, you need an associate degree in nursing and a valid, unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse. Candidates are required to submit an online graduate application through the SUU online RN-to-MSN program page, letters of recommendation, a CV or resume, an admission essay, and official transcripts reflecting an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 credit hours is acceptable),
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Southern Utah University RN-to-MSN Students:
• I have spent many years working in the nursing industry, including working in nursing and allied health education. One thing I urge prospective students to look for when choosing a school is a program with a proven track record of success. For instance, the RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration track features a study plan that maps leadership competencies tested by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, resulting in graduates having exceptionally high pass rates on national certification exams.• Coursework for the RN-to-MSN Leadership and Nursing Administration program at SUU bridges core business principles with advanced clinical practice. You will learn practical administration skills through graduate-level business classes covering financial accounting, marketing, and analytics. This blend of clinical nursing and business principles gives you the tools to prepare for and succeed as a master’s-prepared nurse specializing in leadership and administration.
• Many prospective nursing students express concern about the cost of school. In fact, cost is one of the main reasons nurses put off earning a higher degree or new certification. Southern Utah University understands that concern and strives to provide an affordable path to earning your degree. The school offers pay-by-the-course tuition rates and has a variety of financial assistance opportunities.
• Graduates of the RN-to-MSN Nurse Leadership and Administration program at Southern Utah University have excellent job placement rates. Among graduates who responded to post-program surveys, most reported being employed in a relevant role within three to six months.
2. Western Governors University - Salt Lake City
Specialties Offered: Nursing Leadership & Management, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Education
Program Details: If you are a registered nurse interested in earning a BSN and an MSN and specializing in nursing informatics, nursing education, or nursing leadership and management, Western Governors University has a program worth considering. The RN-to-MSN program is fully online, so you can complete coursework and take assessments on your schedule.
Western Governors University offers one of the best RN-to-MSN programs in Utah. Once you apply and are accepted, you will work with an enrollment/academic advisor to ensure eligible credits get transferred. As you complete the BSN portion of the RN-to-MSN program, you will take five graduate-level courses. You will earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a post-baccalaureate certificate reflecting the five graduate courses you complete in the BSN component. You will then complete the remaining MSN and specialty coursework.
Students in the Nursing Leadership & Management and Nursing Education pathways take 32 courses. The Nursing Informatics program has a 31-course curriculum. Depending on your chosen concentration, you may take classes such as Managing Resources in an Era of Disruption, Evidence-Based Measures for Evaluating Healthcare Improvements, Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care, Assessment & Evaluation Strategies for Measuring Student Learning, and Emerging Trends & Challenges in 21st Century Nursing Education.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the RN-to-MSN program at Western Governors University, you must possess an associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited nursing program and a current, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence or employment. All candidates must submit to and pass a criminal background check and drug test. You must also provide letters of professional recommendation, an admission essay/goals statement, a current resume or curriculum vitae, and transcripts from all post-secondary schools you previously attended. A minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is required to be a viable candidate.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Western Governors University RN-to-MSN Students:
• Through my work in nursing education and nursing leadership, I have learned the importance of acknowledging each person’s unique learning and work style. One of the things I find appealing about the RN-to-MSN program at Western Governors University is that you can advance through the program once you demonstrate mastery of certain skills or subjects, rather than sticking to a traditional campus-based schedule.• Tuition at Western Governors University is charged in six-month terms. You will pay a flat tuition amount for each six-month term instead of paying per credit, as most colleges and universities require. This is especially helpful because, as mentioned above, you can move through the curriculum at your own pace, which means you could graduate in less time and spend less money than you would in a traditional program.
• Along the path of the RN-to-MSN program, you will earn a post-baccalaureate certificate. This is an excellent way to boost your resume and leverage your knowledge and skills to negotiate for better pay while still pursuing the MSN component of the program.
• As a nurse educator, I like to stress the importance of remaining actively involved in learning. Every class you take or certificate you earn is another way to make yourself more marketable to prospective employers. At Western Governors University, you can earn the NAHQ HQ Principles certificate from the National Association for Healthcare Quality. Other certificates you may earn include Genetics & Genomics, Palliative Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Protection of Human Subjects in Research, Cultural Competence, Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity, and Quality & Safety.
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