Minnesota MSN Programs

Bethel University: RN to MSN Program Review
Bethel University, 3900 Bethel Drive, St Paul, MN 55112
Bethel University is an evangelical Christian university affiliated with the Baptist denomination. Students from over 35 countries are enrolled in programs at Bethel University. The university was established in 1871.

The Department of Nursing prepares students for a Nurse Educator or Nurse Leader role in the Master of Science in nursing program. The RN to MSN program caters to working nurses with multiple commitments. Students participate in the MSN program with a cohort, which offers a supportive environment and the opportunity to network with colleagues. The MSN degree program incorporates both campus-based and online classes. In the final year of the program, students complete two internships. The masters in nursing programs require approximately two years of study.

A three to four year MSN option is offered for nurses with a non-nursing bachelors degree. Nurses that pursue this option will earn both bachelors and masters degrees in nursing. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits the nursing masters program. A bachelors degree in nursing and undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above are required for admission to the nursing masters degree program. Applicants with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing should apply to the program early and are considered for admission on a case by case basis.

A Miller Analogies Test (MAT) score and career experience as a nurse are also required.

College of St. Scholastica: RN to MSN Program Review

College of St. Scholastica

1200 Kenwood Ave

Duluth, MN 55811

The College of St. Scholastica serves approximately 4,000 students each year. Duluth is the site of the college’s main campus, though additional campuses are located in St. Paul, St. Cloud, Rochester and Brainerd. The College of St. Scholastica was established in 1912.

Students in the College of St. Scholastica MSN program can choose from one of the following MSN specializations:

Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Adult Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist

Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

A gerontological focus can be added to any MSN specialization. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits the RN to MSN program. The nursing masters degree program can be completed in two years, though students have up to seven years to complete the program.

In addition to online courses, students will take classes in the afternoons, weekends or in intensive one-day sessions. It is recommended that nurses work limited hours during the course of the MSN program. Classes are held in Duluth or St. Cloud. Entrance requirements to the masters in nursing program include a GPA of 3.0 or above, a bachelors degree in nursing and approximately one to three years of career experience in nursing. A statistics course is the only course prerequisite to the MSN program, though it doesn’t have to be completed prior to starting the MSN program.

Mayo School of Health Sciences: RN to CRNA Program Review

Mayo School of Health Sciences

200 1st St SW

Rochester, MN

Dr. William Mayo, known for establishing the Mayo Clinic, is also founder of the Mayo School of Health Sciences. The Nurse Anesthesia program was started in 1899. In addition to the Minnesota campus, the institution also has locations in Arizona and Florida.

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesia program requires approximately 2.5 years or 30 months of study. In order to be admitted to the program, applicants should have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or in a natural science. Applicants to the CRNA masters program should have more than one year of experience in nursing, preferably two in an intensive care unit. Experience in the Emergency Room is not considered sufficient for the Nurse Anesthesia masters program. Upon completion of the nursing masters degree program, students will earn a Master of Nurse Anesthesia degree.

Approximately 30 students enroll in the CRNA program each year. The program is designed to offer students a high-level of interaction with their patients. The CRNA program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Students are expected to dedicate up to 60 hours per week to the CRNA program, and weekend commitments may be necessary. Nurses in the CRNA program will gain anesthesiology experience in a wide variety of disciplines from Pediatrics to Plastic surgery.

Metropolitan State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Metropolitan State University

700 E 7th St

St Paul, MN 55106

Metropolitan State University is located in the Twin Cities of Minnesota-St. Paul and belongs to the Minnesota public university system. Metropolitan State University was established in 1971.

In addition to the traditional masters pathway, an entry level MSN is offered for bachelors-prepared students without prior nursing education or experience. The full time program can be completed in seven semesters of study. Because classes are held in the day on a full time schedule it may be difficult to work during the course of the program. In addition to the application, an essay and two letters of recommendation are required for admission to the Entry Level MSN.

Prerequisites for the Entry Level MSN include statistics, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, lifespan growth and development, medical ethics and nutrition. All prerequisites must be completed with a 2.0 or above GPA.

Leadership and Management and Nurse Educator tracks are offered in the MSN program. The Nurse Educator program is delivered online, while the Leadership and Management specialization is offered in a hybrid format.

Nurses can apply to the MSN program when they have no more than 16 credits to complete towards the bachelors degree in nursing. An admission essay, letters of recommendation and current nursing license are required for admission. All applicants should have a bachelors degree in nursing earned with a 3.0 or above GPA.

Minneapolis School of Anesthesia: RN to CRNA Program Review

Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

6715 Minnetonka Blvd

Minneapolis, MN 55426

The Minneapolis School of Anesthesia is a collaborative of seven medical centers in the area to offer a Nurse Anesthesia program. The university can trace its roots to 1928 as a partnership between the University of Minnesota and area hospitals. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota collaborates with the School of Anesthesia to offer this program.

The Minneapolis School of Anesthesia CRNA program is 27 months. The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The program only operates on a full-time plan of study and is 48 credits.

Applicants to the CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) program should have a bachelors degree in nursing or an associates degree or diploma in nursing and a bachelors degree in a related field. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above and a US nursing license are required to apply to the program. Before commencing clinical practicum experience, nurses must obtain a Minnesota nursing license. In addition to a nursing license, applicants should also have the appropriate Life Support Certifications (basic, advanced and pediatric).

A prerequisite course in chemistry and at least one year of clinical nursing experience in a critical care setting are required. An interview and physical are also required for admission consideration.

Minnesota State University Mankato: RN to MSN Program Review

Minnesota State University Mankato

111 Wiecking Ctr

Mankato, MN 56001

Minnesota State University Mankato is part of the Minnesota State University system. In 1968, the university was founded as Mankato Normal School. Mankato is located just over 80 miles from St. Paul and Minneapolis. Approximately 15,000 students from more than 70 counties are enrolled at Minnesota State University Mankato.

The nursing masters degree programs at Minnesota State University Mankato are delivered online. An MSN Family Nurse Practitioner and MS Nurse Education concentration are offered in the School of Nursing. The MSN FNP program is 53 credits and requires 750 clinical practicum hours. The RN to MSN program can be completed in 9 semesters, which is about 3 years. The MS Nurse Educator program is 37 credits and can be completed in two years plus one additional semester.

Students in the FNP program are required to attend a campus-based admission information session. To apply to the masters in nursing programs, applicants must submit applications both to the School of Nursing and the College of Graduate Studies. Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a Bachelors degree in nursing earned with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

Two years of work experience after earning the BSN is required for admission consideration.

Minnesota State University Moorhead: RN to MS Program Review

Minnesota State University Moorhead

1104 7th Ave S

Moorhead, MN 56563

Minnesota State University Moorhead was established in 1887 as Moorhead Normal School. Over 7,500 students are enrolled at the university. Moorhead is located approximately 3.5 hours from Minneapolis.

A masters in nursing program with a Nursing Education focus is offered at Minnesota State University Moorhead. Applicants to the RN to MS should have a bachelors degree from a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing (NLN). A copy of a valid US nursing license should be submitted along with the nursing masters program application. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required of all applicants to the MSN program. A personal essay is required and applications must be submitted to the School of Nursing and the Graduate Studies division of Minnesota State University Moorhead.

The masters program can be completed in as little as 2 years for students enrolled full time. Nursing masters students have up to 7 years to complete the program. Students can transfer up to 12 credits from another program. All transfer credits must be completed with a “B” or better and must be taken with seven years of enrollment into the nursing masters degree program. In order to earn the Nursing MS degree, students should maintain a GPA of 3.0 throughout the course of the program.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota: RN to CRNA Program Review

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

2500 Park Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55404

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is a private university founded in 1912 by Patrick Heffron. The university has campuses in Minneapolis and Winona. The university maintains an affiliation with the De La Salle Brothers of the Catholic church. About 5, 900 students are enrolled at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist program prepares students to take the CRNA certification exam and also for a leadership role in the nursing setting. The nursing masters degree program is based on the Twin Cities campus and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Students in the CRNA program will complete clinical practicum requirements in hospitals and healthcare centers throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. The masters in nurse anesthesia degree program is 64 credits and can be completed in 28 months.

Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia program are not required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Applicants must have a bachelors degree in nursing, biological, biophysical or behavioral sciences. The minimum GPA required for admission consideration is 2.75. Admission to the CRNA program is competitive, and ideally applicants have a GPA of 3.0-3.2. Students with limited coursework in the sciences are encouraged to take additional courses such as chemistry, physics and pharmacology.

Prospective applicants can arrange taking additional science courses in the BSN program prior to applying to the CRNA program.

St. Catherine University: RN to MA Program Review

St. Catherine University

2004 Randolph Ave.

St. Paul, MN 55105

Founded in 1905, St. Catherine University is a private Catholic university with campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. St. Catherine University is nicknamed St. Kate’s and enrolls just over 5,000 students. Nursing is the most popular academic major at the university. The St. Paul campus is based in a wooded area just 5 miles from downtown St. Paul.

St. Catherine University offers of Master of Arts nursing degree program with a Nurse Educator or Nurse Practitioner focus. Within the Nurse Practitioner concentration, students can choose from a Neonatal, Adult Gerontological or Pediatric role. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

The Nurse Educator concentration is a two years nursing masters degree program with 38 credits including a 480 hour clinical practicum. The Nursing Master of Arts program is delivered in a blended format with classes offered online, late afternoons and weekends. The Adult Gerontological and Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (NP) nursing masters programs are 39 credits and the Neonatal NP program is 40 credits.

An Entry Level MSN is offered for individuals with a bachelors degree and no prior nursing experience. Applicants to the masters in nursing program should have a bachelors degree earned with a GPA of 3.0 or above. A prerequisite course in statistics is also required. Applicants to the NP roles must meet additional experience requirements.

Walden University: RN to MSN Program Review

Walden University

100 Washington Ave S #900

Minneapolis, MN 55401

Walden University is a private, for-profit higher education institution. The university was founded in 1970. Walden University was created to provide opportunities for working adults to earn advanced degrees. More than 45,000 students from every state and over 140 countries enroll in degree programs at Walden University. Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission’s North Central Association.

Two pathways are offered for the online nursing masters degree program. An RN to MSN track is offered for nurses with only an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or diploma as well as nurses with a non-nursing bachelors degree. The BSN to MSN track is for nurses with a bachelors degree in nursing. Five MSN specializations are offered.

Nursing Informatics

Nursing Education

Leadership and Management

Family Nurse Practitioner

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

All concentrations are offered in both the BSN to MSN and RN to MSN pathways.

The nursing masters degree programs are delivered online and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Regardless of which track the nursing student enrolls in, all nursing masters students will complete the same core courses and specialization courses. However, students in the RN to MSN program are required to take additional prerequisites, including a microbiology course which must be transferred from another institution.

Winona State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Winona State University

175 W Mark St

Winona, MN 55987

Winona State University was established in 1958. The university’s main campus is in Winona, with an additional campus, Winona West Campus in Rochester. The nursing masters degree programs at Winona State University can be completed in two to three years. The nursing masters specializations include the following:

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Educator

Nursing and Organizational Leadership

The nursing masters degree programs range from 48 to 56 credits. Courses in the nursing masters degree program are usually on Wednesdays. Students in the RN to MSN program will complete some of their coursework online. A bachelors degree in nursing from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is required for admission. Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a 3.0 or above GPA.

A prerequisite course in physical assessment is required and courses in statistics and nursing research are recommended. It is also recommended that nurses have at least one year of work experience. Applicants to the Acute Care MSN track are required to have a minimum of one year of experience in an acute care setting. Only foreign applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam.