Wisconsin MSN Programs
Alverno College: RN to MSN Program Review
Alverno College, 3400 S 43rd St., Milwaukee, WI 53234
Alverno College was established in 1887. The college is a private Catholic institution that offers liberal arts education.
Students in the nursing masters program at Alverno College can choose from a Family Nurse Practitioner or a Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator specialization. Students in the Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator concentration will complete approximately 500 clinical practice hours, while students in the Family Nurse Practitioner track will complete 660 clinical hours. The program can be completed in five semesters of study on a full-time plan or seven semesters of study on a part-time plan.
Most classes in the nursing masters degree program meet biweekly on Fridays and Saturdays, though some courses also meet weekday evenings. Though classes in the MSN program are not offered online, the program is designed to accommodate the working nurse’s schedule.
Applicants to the nursing masters degree should be graduates of a baccalaureate degree program that also included a prerequisite course in statistics. In addition to the application and transcripts, students are required to submit a current RN license and CPR certification. In lieu of standardized tests such as the Graduate Record Exam, nursing students are evaluated based on the contents of a portfolio, which includes writing samples. International application packets are available on request for prospective international students.
Bellin College of Nursing: RN to MSN Program Review
Bellin College of Nursing
3201 Eaton Road
Green Bay, WI 54311
Bellin College offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in healthcare related fields. Bellin College of Nursing opened in 1909 as Deaconess Sanitarium Training School.
Bellin College of Nursing offers an RN to MSN program for bachelors prepared nurses with a Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Educator focus. The nursing masters degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and prepare nurses for immediate employment as well as doctoral study in nursing.
The Family Nurse Practitioner track requires 680 credit hours and requires 48 credits of study. Upon completion of the nursing masters program, applicants are eligible to take the certification exam offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or American Nurses Credentialing Center. The Nurse Educator program is 38 credits and prepares nurses for a variety of educator roles including in patient and community education programs as well as academic instruction and professional development.
Admission requirements to the nursing masters degree program include one year of clinical nursing experience, a bachelors’s degree in nursing and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. Statistics, health assessment and research are required prerequisite courses for the Master of Science in Nursing program. Two references, a resume, personal essay and Wisconsin RN license are also required admission into the masters degree in nursing program.
Concordia University Wisconsin: RN to MSN Program Review
Concordia University Wisconsin
12800 N Lake Shore Dr
Mequon, WI 53097
Concordia University Wisconsin is a private university affiliated with the Lutheran Church. The university is part of the Concordia University system, which includes 10 additional institutions. In 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin was founded as Concordia College.
Concordia University offers an RN to BSN to MSN program for Registered Nurses without a bachelors degree as well as a traditional nursing masters degree program for bachelors prepared nurses. Students in the RN to BSN to MSN program will first progress through general education requirements and coursework and finally to the RN to MSN portion in which the nurse chooses from a Nurse Practitioner (Family and Adult Gerontology) or Nurse Educator specialization. The Master of Science in Nursing program is accredited and offers a part or full-time plan of study.
Entrance requirements to Concordia University Wisconsin’s MSN program include a BSN from a nursing school with accreditation, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above, possession of an RN license, CPR certification and nursing work experience in a clinical setting. Prerequisite courses in health assessment and statistics are required for admission to the nursing masters program. The MSN program is usually completed in two to four years, though the program must be completed in seven years at most.
Though the MSN program is completed online, students must complete a two-week on campus practicum.
Edgewood College: RN to MSN Program Review
Edgewood College
1000 Edgewood College Dr
Madison, WI 53711
Edgewood College is a private Catholic college founded in the Dominican tradition. The university is in the Diocese of Madison. Edgewood College was established in 1927 as Edgewood Junior College. Approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at Edgewood College. The college was established by the Dominican Sisters.
In addition to a traditional Master of Science in Nursing degree with a Nursing Administration concentration, the university also offers a dual degree program MSN/MBA (Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration). The MSN Nursing Administration track is 36 credits and holds evening classes to accommodate nurses with a busy schedule. The dual degree program is 63 credits and each degree is conferred as applicants meet the course requirements. Applicants to the dual degree program must meet entrance requirements for the MSN and MBA.
Admission requirements to the RN to MSN program include a bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by a nursing body earned with a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average. Two undergraduate course, statistics and nursing research, are prerequisites to the nursing masters degree program. The statistics course should be taken no more than three years prior. In addition to the graduate application, MSN applicants should submit two letters of recommendation from professionals who can attest to the student’s nursing ability. A current RN license is also required.
Herzing University: RN to MSN Program Review
Herzing University
W140 N8917 Lilly Road
Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
Herzing University is a private university based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to offering online degree programs, the university has campuses in Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Louisiana. The Wisconsin campuses are located in Madison, Menomonee Falls, Brookfield and Kenosha. The university is named for its founder, Henry Herzing, who founded the institution in 1965.
Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education and Nursing Management courses are offered in the Herzing University nursing masters program. The nursing masters degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The Nursing Management track requires 36 credits of study. Upon completion of the MSN Nursing Management program, students will complete a scholarly project and clinical practicum. The Nursing Education program is 36 credits and requires either an onsite or simulated practicum. Students in the Family Nurse Practitioner program will complete a 46 credit hour program and 675 credit hours of clinical requirements.
Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a baccalaureate degree from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In order to be admitted to the RN to MSN program, applicants should have a 2.7 or higher GPA or a score of 450 on each section of the Graduate Record Exam.
Marian University: RN to MSN Program Review
Marian University
45 S National Ave
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Marian University was previously called Marian College of Fond du Lac. The university was established in 1936 and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. The Congregation of Sisters of Saint Agnes founded Marian University. In addition to classes held on the Fond du Lac campus, additional courses are held in Green Bay, Appleton and Madison among other locations.
The university offers an RN to MSN program and traditional nursing masters program for bachelors prepared nurses. During the course of the RN to MSN program, students will also fulfill requirements for the BSN degree. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students in the Nurse Educator program will complete clinical practicum experiences totaling to 450 hours. Upon completion of the Nurse Educator program, applicants may take the Nurse Educator certification exam.
The Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner program prepares nurses to take the certification exam in their specialty upon completion of the RN to MSN program. For acceptance into the Marian University MSN program, applicants should have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Prerequisite courses in nursing research, statistics and physical assessment are required for the nursing masters program.
Marquette University: RN to MSN Program Review
Marquette University
1250 W Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Marquette University is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The university was founded in the Jesuit tradition of the Roman Catholic faith. The university serves more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 65 countries. The university was opened as Marquette College in 1881.
Marquette University offers the following concentrations in the nursing masters degree program:
Advanced Practice Nursing Acute Care
Advanced Practice Nursing Adults
Advanced Practice Nursing Nurse-Midwifery
Advanced Practice Nursing Older Adults
Advanced Practice Nursing Pediatrics (Acute or Primary Care)
Clinical Nurse Leader
Health Care Systems Leadership
The minimum GPA accepted for admission to the RN to MSN program is 3.0.
Nursing research and statistics are required prerequisites to the nursing masters degree program. The Graduate Record Exam is required, but waived if applicants have a minimum 3.2 GPA. Three letters of recommendation, a resume and personal essay are also required for admission to the nursing masters degree program. A Second Degree-Direct Entry MSN is offered for college graduates without a nursing degree or experience as a well as nurses with an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing).
It is recommend though not required that applicants have at least one year of nursing experience for some MSN concentrations.
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
105 Garfield Ave
Eau Claire, WI 54701
The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire was established in 1916 and is a public university that is part of the University of Wisconsin system which includes campuses in Milwaukee, Madison, Oshkosh, and La Crosse. More than 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire.
The following specializations are offered in the nursing masters degree program at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire:
Adult-Gerontologic Health Nursing
Family Health Nursing
Students in both concentrations will also take courses related to the Nurse Educator role. The nursing masters degree program requires 41 or 42 credits of study depending on the nursing program chosen. The course is delivered in a hybrid format with some classes based on campus and others delivered online.
For acceptance to the nursing masters degree program at the University of Wisconsin, applicants should have a bachelors degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above and a prerequisite course in statistics are also required for admission consideration. A Wisconsin RN license, three letters of reference and essay are also required to be accepted the nursing masters degree program.
University of Wisconsin La Crosse: RN to MS Program Review
University of Wisconsin La Crosse
1725 State St
La Crosse, WI 54601
The University of Wisconsin La Crosse is part of the University of Wisconsin system. The university was established in 1909. More than 10,000 students are enrolled at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, also commonly referred to as UW-L.
The Franciscan School of Nurse Anesthesia offers a Master of Science degree program in Biology for Registered Nurses pursuing training to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). The CRNA program can be completed in two years of study or approximately 4 semesters and 3 summer sessions of study. The nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Aspiring CRNAs must submit applications to the School of Anesthesia as well as the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin LA Crosse.
The School of Nurse Anesthesia admits applicants with a bachelor of science in nursing degree or a bachelor’s degree in a related science field. Additional science courses in microbiology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry or physics. At the time of application, nurses should have a minimum 1.5 years of experience working as a nurse in a clinical care setting, though it is preferred that applicants have at least two years of experience. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above and eligibility to become a Wisconsin RN are also required as part of the nursing masters program admission requirements.
University of Wisconsin Madison: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Wisconsin Madison
702 West Johnson St
Madison, WI 53715
The University of Wisconsin Madison is a public research institution. The university is part of the University of Wisconsin system. Other campuses include Oshkosh, Milwaukee, Eau Claire and La Crosse. The University of Wisconsin Madison was established in 1848 and serves more than 40,000 students.
The University of Wisconsin Madison offers a dual degree Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health degree program. Each subject area of the program requires 36 credits of study. The dual degree MSN program is created with the accreditation guidelines of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education in mind. The MSN portion of the program has a nurse educator focus. The MSN/MPH program can be completed in approximately two years of study. Students in the RN to MSN program will complete both a practicum in teaching and a fieldwork component for the MPH part of the program.
Applicants must complete a minimum of 60 credits for the MSN/MPh program. Students can transfer in up to 6 credits for the nursing masters degree program. Students can complete the coursework in six semesters, though students may also complete the RN to MSN program on a part time schedule. Students seeking advanced certification upon completion of the program may need to take additional courses.
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee: RN to MN Program Review
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
3202 N Maryland Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202
The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee enrolls almost 30,000 students that represent all 50 states and more than 75 countries. Of all the campuses in the University of Wisconsin system, the Milwaukee campus is the most diverse. The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee can trace its founding to 1851 when Wisconsin State Normal School was established. The university merged with another institution to become the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1956.
Three entry options are offered for nurses seeking to study in the RN to MN program. The Master of Nursing program is for nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The RN to MN program is for nurses without a bachelor’s degree and the MN Direct Entry Option is for college graduates with a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field.
The Master of Nursing program offers a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) specialization that prepares nurses for the CNL certification exam. The MN program can be completed on a full or part time plan of study, with part time students having the option of a spring or fall start. The MN program is 33 credits.
To apply to the Master of Nursing program, applicants should have a bachelors degree in nursing and proof of completion of a prerequisite course in statistics. The statistics prerequisite course must be completed with a grade of “B” or better. The nursing masters degree application is available online. Applicants with a GPA below 3.2 are required to submit scores for the Graduate Record Exam.
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI 54901
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh was established in 1871. As part of the University of Wisconsin system, the university serves more than 13,000 students. The University of Wisconsin is one of the largest universities in the state of Wisconsin. Other UW campuses are located in Eau Claire, Milwaukee, Madison and La Crosse.
The RN to MSN degree program is delivered online. An RN to BSN to MSN program and traditional nursing masters in nursing program are offered in the following specialties:
Clinical Nurse Leader
Nurse Educator
Both nursing masters degree program concentrations require 37 credits of study and can be completed on a part or full time plan of study in three or two years respectively. The MSN CNL program requires at least one summer session and also includes several hundred hours of clinical experiences throughout the course of the program. Students in the Nurse Educator track will complete an education-focused clinical practicum experience.
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) is required. Students must have a current RN license in the location in which clinical practicum experiences will be carried out. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above is required for admission to the nursing masters degree program.
Viterbo University: RN to MSN Program Review
Viterbo University
900 Viterbo Dr
La Crosse, WI 54601
Viterbo University is a private Catholic University established in the Franciscan tradition. The university is in the Diocese of La Crosse. Originally called St. Rose Normal School, Viterbo University was established in 1890 by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The university was referred to as Viterbo College from 1937 to 2000, when it achieved university status.
A Bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission is required for acceptance to the RN to MSN program. Viterbo University’s MSN program is accredited by the CCNE. Upon completion of the RN to MSN program, graduates of all four tracks are eligible to take a certification exam in their area of study.
Prerequisites to the nursing masters degree program include completion of prerequisite courses in statistics, physical assessment and an introductory research course. Some nursing courses are offered online and classes usually meet weekly. Students choose from a Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Adult Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Leader focus in the nursing masters degree program. Though the Miller Analogies Test is normally required for admission consideration, applicants with at least five credits of graduate study can waive this requirement.
