Massachusetts MSN Programs
Boston College: RN to MS Program Review
Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Boston College is a private post-secondary institution that serves more than 13,000 students. The college was founded in the Jesuit tradition of the Catholic faith and was established in 1863.
The nursing masters degree program at Boston College accepts nursing students from a variety backgrounds. In addition to a masters degree program for bachelors prepared nurses, there is also a nursing program for nurses without a bachelors degree and non-nurses with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing. Students in the nursing masters degree program can choose from the following specializations:
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Community Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Anesthesia
Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Psych/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Dual degree programs are also available for nursing master study:
MS/PhD- nurses can earn their Master of Science degree while also working towards a doctoral degree in nursing.
MS/MBA Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration degree
MS/MA in pastoral ministry is designed for nurses working in a religious setting
Students applying to dual degree programs should make note of the admission requirements of both the school of nursing and the corresponding department. General application requirements to the nursing masters degree program include a bachelors, associate degree or diploma in nursing earned with a “B” or above grade point average. Specific concentrations may have additional degree requirements.
Curry College: RN to MSN Program Review
Curry College
Curry College is a liberal arts college based in Milton, Massachusetts with an additional campus in Plymouth. The college was established by Anna and Samuel Curry in 1879 as the School of Elocution and Expression. More than 4,000 students are enrolled in Curry College’s undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs.
Curry College’s nursing masters degree program offers a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration. Students in the masters in nursing program are prepared to take the CNL certification exam. The program meets once weekly and lasts five semesters. The RN to MS program employs the cohort model so that students will take courses with the same students throughout the duration of their masters study. As one of the final requirements of the nursing masters degree program, students will complete an extensive 300 hour clinical practicum experience.
Entrance requirements for the RN to MS program include a bachelors degree, preferably earned with a 3.0 or above GPA, admission interview and completion of a graduate course in statistics. Applicants will need to submit one letter of recommendation, a personal statement and admission essay along with their application. The nursing masters degree program can be completed in 37 credits of study or 14 academic courses. Clinical practicum experience is spread over the last three semesters of study.
Elms College: RN to MSN Program Review
Elms College
291 Springfield St
Chicopee, MA 01013
Elms College is a Catholic liberal arts institution near Springfield, Massachusetts. Though its official name is The College of Our Lady of the Elms, the college is most often referred to as Elms College. The Sisters of St. Joseph founded Elms College in 1928.
In addition to the traditional nursing masters degree program, applicants can enroll in a RN to BS to MSN program or the RN to MSN program. A Nursing and Health Services Management concentration and a Nursing Education concentration are offered. Students interested in nursing administration can enroll in the joint degree Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration degree program. The Nursing masters concentrations required 39 credits of study and approximately three years to complete.
In order to apply to the nursing masters program, applicants should have a bachelors degree in nursing earned with a 3.0 or above GPA. Applicants who don’t meet this requirements should take a minimum 6 credits of undergraduate coursework while earning a “B” average in coursework. RNs seeking a bachelors and masters degree may enroll in the RN to BS to MSN program. Applicants with a nursing license and a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field should enroll in the RN to MSN program.
Emmanuel College: RN to MSN Program Review
Emmanuel College: RN to MSN Program Review
Emmanuel College
400 Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
Emmanuel College was established by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in 1919. The college was previously a post-secondary institution for women, but since the year 2000 has been coeducational.
A Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator/Manager track are offered in the nursing masters degree program at Emmanuel College. The MSN program is composed of 11 courses totaling 36 academic credits. Students will complete seven core courses which make up 21 credits, followed by four courses totaling 15 credits in their specialization. Students may transfer up to two courses, not used for a previous degree program, to their masters degree.
Upon graduation from the program, Nurse Educators are prepared to take the certification exam offered by the National League for Nursing. Nurse Administrator students are prepared to take the certification exam offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Students applying to the nursing masters program should have a bachelors degree in nursing from a program accredited by a nursing body at a regionally accredited institution. In addition to the application form, applicants are required to submit a personal essay, resume, two letters of recommendation and transcripts. Applicants should have a Massachusetts nursing license or eligibility to practice in Massachusetts based on their current license. Applicants are required to meet with a designated member of the Department of Nursing.
Endicott College: RN to MSN Program Review
Endicott College
376 Hale St
Beverly, MA 01915
Endicott College is a private nursing college located near Boston, Massachusetts. The college was founded in 1939.
Endicott College offers a Master of Science in nursing with a Nurse Educator or Nurse Administrator focus. The RN to MSN program requires five semesters of study and can begin in the fall or spring semester. The nursing masters degree program includes 33 credits, including 10 core courses. In order to graduate from the masters in nursing program, applicants should maintain a 3.0 GPA. The program can be completed in approximately 18 months of study and is delivered in a hybrid format with both online and campus-based courses.
The nursing masters program admits nurses with a bachelors degree through the traditional pathway. Applicants with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing may complete the Pre-Master’s Pathway, a four-course bridge which is required before completing the nursing masters degree program.
Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a bachelors degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. In addition to two letters of recommendation, applicants should submit a copy of their Massachusetts Nursing license, two letters of recommendation and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores. Applicants who hold a masters degree are exempt from the GRE/MAT scores requirement. A prerequisite course in statistics is an entrance requirements for all MSN applicants.
Fitchburg State University: RN to MSN Program Review
Fitchburg State University
160 Pearl St.
Fitchburg MA, 01420
Fitchburg State University was established in 1894. The public university serves over 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university has a student faculty ratio of 21:1 and offers over 60 study abroad programs.
Fitchburg State University offers a Master of Science in Nursing program with a rare concentration in Forensic Nursing. The program is available online. In order to earn the MSN degree, students must complete a 36 credit hour program and a 420 hour clinical practicum. Graduates of the program may pursue a career in forensic nursing as a medical or legal investigator, consultant or forensic specialist among other things. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The MSN program is divided into three key areas, core courses (including scholarly inquiry) required cognate courses and required nursing course. Nurses can complete the RN to MSN program in three to six years of study.
Admission requirements to the nursing masters degree program include a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution. In addition to the program application, nurses should submit three letters of reference, Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies Test scores, transcripts and an essay. All applicants should hold a Registered Nurse License or its foreign equivalent.
Framingham State University: RN to MSN Program Review
Framingham State University
100 State St
Framingham, MA 01702
Framingham State University is located less than 30 miles from Boston. The public university was established in 1839. Approximately 6,500 students are enrolled at Framingham State University. The university is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Framingham State University offers nursing masters degree programs with concentrations in Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership. The RN to MSN program is delivered in a blended format, as students will attend on-campus sessions in addition to completing coursework online. The master in nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The MSN course has 40 credits and 10 courses, 6 core courses and 4 concentration-specific courses.
Applicants to the nursing masters program should have a current Massachusetts RN license and a bachelor’s degree in nursing with national and regional accreditation. Students are evaluated using a Quality Point Average (QPA), and should have a QPA of 3.0 or above and QPA of 3.25 or above in their nursing coursework.
The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) may be required for nurses who do not meet the QPA requirement. Proof of a statistics prerequisite course completed with a 2.0 should be submitted. Two letters of recommendation, a personal essay and admission interview are also required for admission consideration.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: RN to MSN Program Review
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
179 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences enrolls over 6,000 students. The university has two campuses in Massachusetts, Boston and Worcester as well as a campus in Manchester, New Hampshire. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, also referred to as MCPHS, was established in 1823.
Students can choose between a Family Nurse Practitioner and generalist nursing masters degree program. The RN to MSN program is delivered online, and the Family Nurse Practitioner program is also available in a campus-based format in Worcester and Manchester. Students in the online MSN program in a distance learning format are required to attend three campus residencies ranging from one to three days each session. The generalist Nursing MS concentration is 37 credits, while the FNP concentration is 42 credits of study.
Entrance requirements to the nursing masters degree program include at least one year of experience as a Registered Nurse. Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited university or college. Nurses should hold a valid nursing license in the state in which their clinical practicum experience will take place.
Though applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be admitted to the nursing program, applicants with a 3.0 or above nursing GPA are given primary admission consideration. It is preferred that applicants to the MSN FNP program have at least one year of experience in acute care.
MGH Institute of Health Professions: RN to MSN Program Review
MGH Institute of Health Professions
179 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
MGH Institute of Health Professions stands for Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. The hospital founded MGH Institute of Health Professions in 1977.
MGH Institute of Health Profession offers a Master of Science in Nursing Direct Entry program for college graduates without prior nursing experience as well as a traditional nursing masters degree program that includes entry options for nurses with an associate’s degree, diploma or bachelor’s degree in any field. The following specializations are offered in the nursing masters degree program:
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP
Family NP
Pediatrics NP
Women’s Health NP
Psychiatric/Mental Health Lifespan NP
Adult-Gerontology/Women’s Health Dual Program
For acceptance to the RN to MS program, nurses should have an associate degree, diploma or bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution. Applicants to the nursing masters program should complete a prerequisite course in statistics with a “C” or better grade. RNs with an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or diploma are required to complete 54 credits of prerequisites. Requirements for general education may be met through testing. Personalized application advice is available to students.
At least three letters of recommendation and a personal recommendation letter are required for admission to the nursing masters degree program. Most applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam, though the requirement may be waived for applicants who meet the following criteria: hold a masters degree in nursing, applicants who have demonstrated competency through prerequisite courses and applicants who have taken an equivalent graduate standardized test.
Northeastern University: RN to MS Program Review
Northeastern University
360 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Northeastern University is a private research university that was established in 1898.
The School of Nursing at Northeastern University was recognized by U.S. News & World Report in a previous publication for the best Graduate Nurse Anesthesia program. The School of Nursing offers several entry options, including a Direct Entry option for college graduates without prior nursing experience and traditional option for bachelors prepared nurses. The Direct Entry Nursing masters degree program is offered online.
An RN to MS option is available allowing nurses with an associate’s degree or diploma to earn both a bachelors and masters degree. A masters degree completion program is also available for nurses who hold an advanced certification but do not have a masters degree. The following specialties are offered in the nursing masters degree program at Northeastern University:
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing
Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Acute or Primary Care Option)
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute or Primary Care Option)
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nursing Administration/Leadership Policy
Nurse Anesthesia
MS/MBA (Master of Science/Master of Business Administration) dual degree program
Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should submit a copy of their nursing license, three letters of recommendation and proof of completion of a statistics prerequisite course. The Nurse Anesthesia program requires applicants to take the Graduate Record Exam. Additional Nursing MS program requirements vary by track.
Regis College: RN to MS Program Review
Regis College
235 Wellesley St
Weston, MA 02493
Regis College is a private post-secondary institution that was established in 1927. The college is named for Sister Mary Regis Casserly of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Jospeh. Regis College offers various pathways for nurses and non-nursing college graduates aspiring to earn a nursing masters degree. The following pathways are offered in the nursing masters program:
RN to BS to MS Bachelors and masters degree nursing program for nurses with an associate degree in nursing or diploma
RN to MS for nurses with a non-nursing bachelors aspiring to earn the MS qualification
Accelerated BS/MS for aspiring nurses with a bachelors degree, but no prior nursing education or experience
The following specializations are offered in the nursing masters degree program:
Adult Acute Critical Care Clinical Specialist
Nursing Leadership/Regulatory and Clinical Research Management
Nursing Leadership/Health Administration
Nursing Leadership/Health Informatics
Nursing Leadership/Health Policy
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Along with the nursing masters degree application, nurses should submit a resume and personal statement with their program application. A GPA of 3.0 or above is required for all previous coursework. Two letters of recommendation and an admission interview is required. Students must contact the admission department to setup their interview. Scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required, though nurses who take two graduate courses and earn a B or better and nurses with an ADN or diploma are exempt from this requirement.
Salem State University: RN to MSN Program Review
Salem State University
352 Lafayette St
Salem, MA 01970
Salem State University was founded in 1854. The college was originally called Salem Normal School and later Salem State College. Salem State University is located less than 20 miles from Boston.
In addition to a traditional nursing masters degree program, Salem State University offers an accelerated nursing masters degree program. Nursing masters degree specializations include Nursing Education, Nursing Administration and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. The nursing masters degree program requires 39 credits of study. The Direct Entry MSN program can be completed on a full or part-time schedule, however, nurses must earn a minimum of 6 months experience as a Registered Nurse prior to proceeding to the clinical portion of the Direct Entry MSN.
Students can apply to begin the nursing masters degree program in the spring or fall semester. There is no application deadline to apply to the RN to MSN program, and students can apply on a rolling basis. Applicants to the masters in nursing should provide a transcript showing a bachelors degree and completed prerequisite courses in statistics. With the exception of applicants who hold a masters degree, nurses should submit scores for the Graduate Record Exam or Miller Analogies Test.
Students with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing may be admitted to the nursing masters program, though they must complete the Nursing Baccalaureate Achievement Exam administered by the National League for Nursing. At least one year of nursing experience is required prior to applying to the MSN program.
Simmons College: RN to MS Program Review
Simmons College
300 Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
Simmons College was established in 1899. The post-secondary institution includes a an undergraduate college for women and co-education graduate college.
Simmons College offers a variety of nursing masters degree options and entry pathways for Registered Nurses. A Direct Entry Nursing MS program is offered for college graduates with a baccalaureate degree, but no prior nursing experience. An accelerated BS/MSN program is offered for students without prior nursing experience that seek to earn both bachelors and masters degrees in nursing.
Nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma can enroll in the RN to MS program to earn a master of science in nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. Applicants to the RN to MS track do not have to take the GRE, but should have work experience in a health care environment. Applicants to all nursing programs should have a 3.0 or above GPA.
The BSN to MS program is designed both for nurses with a BSN and nurses with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing. Prerequisite courses in statistics and health assessment do not have to be completed for admission purposes, but are necessary to progress through graduate nursing coursework.
A dual degree Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Society, Human Development and Health is offered in conjunction with Harvard University. Students applying to this program option must submit applications to Harvard University’s School of Public Health and Simmons College.
University of Massachusetts Amherst: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Massachusetts Amherst
181 Presidents Dr
Amherst, MA 01003
The University of Massachusetts Amherst, more commonly known as UMass Amherst was established in 1863. The university is home to over $27,500 students. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the University of Massachusetts system’s leading campus. Other campuses are in Lowell, Boston and Dartmouth.
The Master of Science in Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader concentration is offered in the School of Nursing. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Upon completion of the nursing masters course, graduates are prepared to take the CNL certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The RN to MSN program requires 37 credits to complete and requires a clinical practicum experience. The masters in nursing program can be completed in as little as two years of full time study or four years part-time.
Applicants to the nursing masters degree program are evaluated based on their academic achievements. The GRE is not required for admission, but may be submitted. Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants who do not have a GPA above 3.0 may still apply for admission consideration to the program, as nurses are evaluated on their complete application. Nurses with a BSN and nurses with a non-nursing bachelors degree are accepted to the program. Two letters of recommendation and an academic writing sample are also required for admission consideration.
University of Massachusetts Boston: RN to MSN Programs
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 0212
The University of Massachusetts Boston is the second largest campus in the University of Massachusetts system. The university was established in 1964.
The 48 credit MSN program at the University of Massachusetts Boston offers the following specializations:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Acute/Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist
The nursing masters degree program is designed for nurses with a bachelors degree. The RN to MSN program prepares nurses to pursue Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) certification in their area of practice upon completion of the program. The course is designed in a blended format, with classes available both online and on-campus. The masters in nursing can be completed in two to four years of study depending on the applicant’s plan.
In addition to the nursing masters application, nursing masters applicants should submit three letters of reference, transcripts from all previous colleges and universities, copy of the RN license, and a personal statement. Scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) are required. It is suggested though not required that applicants to the nursing masters program also submit a professional resume. If an applicant has a masters degree or higher qualification in any subject, the GRE requirement is waived.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 0212
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is part of the University of Massachusetts public university system. The university was established in 1895 and can trace its roots to the New Bedford Textile School and Bradford Durfee Textile School. The two institutions joined in the 1960s to form what is now the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth has an RN to MSN program with an Adult Health or Community Health concentration. In each concentration, students will further specialize as a nurse manager or nurse educator. The nursing masters degree program is available for nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as well as nurses with a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field through the GAP program.
Applicants to the Nursing MS program should have a bachelors degree in nursing earned with a 3.0 or above grade point average. The BSN nursing degree program should be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are not required for admission.
In addition to the MSN application, nursing students should submit three letters of reference. Ideally at least one reference should come from a supervisor with a nursing MS degree and one from a nurse educator. A Massachusetts RN license and at least one year of experience in acute care nursing are also required.
University of Massachusetts Lowell: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Massachusetts Lowell
1 University Ave
Lowell, MA 01854
The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) serves approximately 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The University of Massachusetts Lowell was first established in 1894 as Lowell Normal School.
The School of Health & Environment offers the following specializations in the MSN program:
Family Health Nursing
Adult/Gerontological Nursing
Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
The master in nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students in the MSN program have several entry options. Registered Nurses in the Lowell undergraduate nursing program can participate in the Fast Track MS program to earn a BS and MS in nursing in just five years. There is also a Fast Track MS program for nurses who do not yet have a nursing license.
Admission requirements to the nursing masters degree program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell include a bachelors degree in nursing from an accredited nursing program earned with a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Applicants should also take an introduction to statistics course and provide scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Applicants with a graduate nursing certificate or undergraduate nursing degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell may have this requirement waived if they meet GPA requirements of a 3.5 for certificate holders and 3.3 for undergraduates.
University of Massachusetts Medical School: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Massachusetts Medical School
55 N Lake Ave
Worcester, MA 01655
The University of Massachusetts Medical School was established in 1962 and is part of the University of Massachusetts public university system. The university maintains a partnership with University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care. Though originally founded as a school of medicine, the university also offers degree programs in nursing and biomedical sciences.
Applications to the Graduate School of Nursing are accepted on a rolling basis, and interviews are scheduled with applicants deemed qualified by the admissions committee. The following pathways are offered for nurses interested in the graduate nursing master’s degree program:
Graduate Entry Pathway: college graduates without prior nursing education or experience
Pre-master’s Pathway: nurses with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area
Traditional Master’s Pathway: nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing
Applicants to the traditional master’s pathway should submit a nursing application along with transcripts from previous schools attended and a score for the Graduate Record Exam taken no more than five years prior. Three professional letters of recommendation are required, with at least one from a nursing professor and another from a nurse who has supervised the applicant’s clinical practice. In addition to a RN license, applicants should hold CPR certification and have completed prerequisite courses in statistics and health assessment.
Worcester State University: RN to MSN Program Review
Worcester State University
486 Chandler St
Worcester, MA 01602
Worcester State University was established in1874 as Worcester Normal School. The university was formally known as Worcester State College. Worcester State University is a public post-secondary institution that currently serves more than 6,000 students.
Two tracks are offered in the nursing masters degree program at Worcester State University, Community and Public Health Nursing and Nurse Educator. The RN to MSN program is delivered in a hybrid format with both campus-based and online courses. The following entry options are available for individuals pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing:
Traditional Entry for Registered Nurses (RNs) with a baccalaureate degree in nursing
Bridge Program for RNs with a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field
RN to MS Fast Track for RNs with an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or diploma seeking to earn an MS degree
The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In addition to meeting one of the degree requirements above, applicants the masters in nursing program should complete a prerequisite course in statistics and research. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores should be submitted along with the application. The GRE or MAT test date should be within five years of the date that the nursing application is submitted. The nursing masters degree program requires 42 credits.
