Maryland MSN Programs

Bowie State University: RN to MSN Program Review
Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, MD 20715
Bowie State University was established in 1965 as Bowie Normal School. Bowie State University is a HBCU (Historically Black College/University) that is based in Prince George’s County in the state of Maryland. Bowie State University is the oldest HBCU in Maryland and is part of Maryland’s public university system. The university serves over 5,000 students.

The Department of Nursing offers a Master of Science in nursing degree program with a focus on the Family Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Educator role. Both MSN concentrations prepare nurses to take the certification exam in their area of practice. Students will complete a 600 hour clinical practicum in addition to the nursing masters degree courses. The MSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Applicants to the RN to MSN program should have an undergraduate nursing degree from an accredited program. An undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or above is required for admission consideration. Before commencing concentration-specific coursework, nurses should have at least one year of clinical experience in nursing. Students must apply to the Bowie State University graduate school in addition to the nursing masters degree program. Entrance requirements to the masters in nursing program also include possession of a Maryland RN license and CPR certificate.

Notre Dame of Maryland University: RN to MSN Program Review

Notre Dame of Maryland University

4701 N Charles St

Baltimore, MD 21212

Notre Dame of Maryland University was formally known as the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and was originally a women’s college. The university is an independent liberal arts institution that is affiliated with the Catholic faith. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled at Notre Dame of Maryland University. The university is located in a 50+ acre campus in residential Baltimore.

The nursing masters degree program is an accelerated MSN that meets weekly. Students go through the program with a cohort of other nursing masters students. The Master of Science in Nursing program offers two concentrations, Leadership in Nursing Education and Leadership in Nursing Administration.

Applicants to the RN to MSN program should have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. In addition to the application, nurses should submit a resume, letters of reference and personal essay. Prerequisite courses in Health Assessment, Statistics and Research should be completed with a grade of “B” or above.

The Leadership in Nursing Education content is based on the framework of the National League for Nursing Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators. The Leadership in Nursing Administration course is based on the framework of the American Nurses Association Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators.

Coppin State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Coppin State University

2500 W North Ave

Baltimore, MD 21216

Coppin State University was founded in 1900. The university is an HBCU (Historically Black College University) and is affiliated with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Coppin State University is part of Maryland’s public university system. The university was originally called Fanny Jackson Coppin Normal School, named for a local woman who spearheaded teacher education. Approximately 4,000 students are enrolled at Coppin State University.

The Helen Fuld School of Nursing offers a nursing masters degree program with a Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. Students must complete 48 to 51 credits to earn the nursing masters degree. The nursing masters degree program requires approximately two years of study and does include a summer semester. Nurses with interest in an educator role are able to take elective courses in nursing education.

Applicants to the masters in nursing program are admitted in fall and spring semesters. For admission to the nursing masters degree program, applicants should have a bachelors degree in nursing and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Three letters of recommendation and an admission interview are also required for the RN to MSN program. A prerequisite course in statistics is required for admission. Additionally, applicants must provide scores for all sections of the Graduate Record Exam.

Johns Hopkins University: RN to MSN Program Review

Johns Hopkins University

3400 N Charles St

Baltimore, MD 21218

Johns Hopkins is a private research university that was established in 1876. The university is named for Johns Hopkins, its benefactor.

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing offers traditional and second-degree nursing masters programs. Students seeking to earn a BS degree, may opt for the BS to MSN program that also offers a paid residency. Students with a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field may enroll in the BS-MSN program. In addition to unique MSN program entry options, the following MSN concentrations are offered in the School of Nursing:

Public Health Nursing

Public Health Nursing, Nurse Midwifery track

Health Systems Management/Clinical Nurse Specialist

Health Systems Management

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nurse Practitioner with Public Health Nursing Focus

Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Joint degree programs are offered in MSN/MBA (Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration) and MSN/MPH (Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health). Two of the nursing degree programs, Health Systems Management and Clinical Nurse Specialist, are offered online.

General admission requirements include a BSN completed with a 3.0 or above GPA. Applicants to the dual degree programs are required to take the Graduate Record Exam. A personal statement, community service and letters of recommendation are also required. In some cases, an admission interview may be requested.

Morgan State University: RN to MS Program Review

Morgan State University

1700 E Cold Spring Ln

Baltimore, MD 21251

Morgan State University was established in 1867. The university was originally called Centenary Biblical Institute and was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore. Approximately 6,000 students are enrolled at Morgan State University.

A Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management and Nursing Education are offered at Morgan State University. The RN to MS program is design to prepare nurses for advanced evidence-based practice nursing and requires 45 credits of study. In addition to the coursework component of the program, students complete a 135 hour clinical experience in a community health setting. The nursing masters degree program is designed to meet the standards in the Essentials of Masters Nursing Education as designed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Entrance requirements for the Master of Science nursing program include a Bachelor of Science degree from a nursing program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants should be licensed in Maryland or a state that is part of the nursing license compact agreement. Two years of experience as an RN and a statistics prerequisite course taken no more than 5 years prior are also required for admission.

Salisbury University: RN to MS Program Review

Salisbury University

1101 Camden Ave

Salisbury, MD 21801

Salisbury University is a public post-secondary institution based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The university was originally founded in 1925 as a two-year college.

Both an RN to MS and traditional masters degree program are offered at Salisbury University. The nursing MS program offers two concentrations, Clinical Nurse Educator and Health Care Leader. The nursing masters degree program is available in a convenient blended format, with online classes in addition to classes that meet in the evenings. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Both tracks require students to complete core courses in research, statistics and epidemiology. Upon completion of the masters in nursing degree program, applicants can take the certification exam in their area of study.

Prior to applying to the nursing program, applicants should submit an application for graduate study at Salisbury University. Nurses should complete a bachelors degree in nursing program accredited by the CCNE or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) with a GPA of 3.0 or above. Admission may be granted to students with a strong application besides a GPA below 3.0. An essay, resume and two letters of recommendation should also be submitted for admission consideration to the nursing masters degree program.

Stevenson University: RN to MS Program Review

Stevenson University

1525 Greenspring Valley Rd

Stevenson, MD 21153

Stevenson University was established in 1947 and enrolls approximately 4,000 students. In addition to the Stevenson campus, the university also has a campus in Baltimore. Stevenson University was previously known as Villa Julie College.

An accelerated online nursing masters degree program, with an RN to MS track is offered at Stevenson University. Students in the nursing MS program have the option of beginning their degree program at any point in the year, during the summer, fall or spring semester. Students will progress through the graduate nursing program one course at a time. Though accelerated, the course is flexible and allows working nurses to study on the schedule that is best for them. A Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership/Management concentration are offered in the nursing masters program.

The RN to MS option is designed for both nurses without a bachelors degree and nurses with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or above in their previous undergraduate coursework. The Graduate Record Exam is optional, as is providing letters of recommendation and admission essay. Entrance requirements to the nursing masters degree program include a bachelors degree in nursing, copy of nursing license and a resume detailing the nurse’s professional experience.

Towson University: RN to MS Program

Towson University
8000 York Rd

Towson, MD 21252

Towson University is part of the University of Maryland system and is located near Baltimore in Towson. The university was established in 1866 as State Normal School. Nearly 22,000 students are enrolled at Towson University.

Towson University offers a nursing masters degree program with a focus in Nursing Education or a Clinician-Administrator Transition. Students in the nursing masters degree program can choose from a part or full time plan of study. Furthermore, courses in held in the evenings to accommodate nurses who are currently employed. Nurses in the masters program are prepared to work in a community-based healthcare setting. The clinical practicum experiences are designed to meet the student’s specific goals, and nurses can choose from a thesis or capstone project depending on their needs.

The master in nursing program accepts applicants for the spring, fall and summer semesters. A bachelors degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.0 or above is required for admission to the nursing masters program. In addition to the program application, nurses are required to submit a resume and personal statement. Prerequisite courses in statistics, nursing research and physical assessment are also required for admission. Prospective nursing MS applicants that do not meet the entrance requirements, but feel their experience warrants special consideration may contact the nursing department.

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences: RN to MSN Program Review

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
4301 Jones Bridge Rd

Bethesda, MD 20814

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences was established in 1972.

The Graduate School of Nursing offers an MSN program with the following specializations:

Nursing Anesthesia

Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (Perioperative Focus)

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner

All applicants to the nursing programs at Uniformed Services University should be enrolled in military service or a sponsored civilian. Entrance requirements to the Master of Science in Nursing program include a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) earned with a 3.0 GPA and a 3.0 or above science GPA. Applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam and should have a writing score of 4.0 or above. A 525 and 500 quantitative and verbal score respectively are required. For applicants who’ve taken the GRE after August 2011, a 145 quantitative score and 153 verbal score are required. Three letters of recommendation and a resume should be submitted along with the nursing masters application.

In addition to a nursing license, a Basic Life Support Certification is also required. Additional requirements are necessary depending on the student’s nursing masters concentration. Generally, applicants to the nursing CNS or NP concentrations should have at least two years of experience in a related area of practice.

University of Maryland: RN to MS Program Review

University of Maryland
7965 Baltimore Ave

College Park, MD 20742

The University of Maryland was founded as Maryland Agricultural College in 1856. Though the official name of the university is the University of Maryland College Park it is more commonly known as the University of Maryland.

The following specializations are offered in the nursing masters degree program:

Clinical Nurse Leader

Community/Public Health Nursing

Health Services Leadership and Management (HSLM)

Health Services Leadership and Management (HSLM) Education focus

Nursing Informatics

Family Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Anesthesia

Adult and Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult and Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary and Acute Care)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Family focus)

Joint degree options are also offered in the following areas:

Master of Science /Master of Public Health

Health Services Leadership and Management (HSLM) dual degree with Master of Business Administration

Admission requirements to the RN to MS Program include a bachelors degree with a nursing major earned with a 3.0 or above GPA. Two letters of reference, a resume and personal statement are also required for admission to the nursing masters degree program. To apply, nurses should have a valid US nursing license, but must obtain a Maryland state nursing license prior to enrolling in clinical practicum experiences.

The MS Clinical Leader option is designed for a college graduates with a bachelors degree in a field other than nursing. Applicants to the program must have a baccalaureate degree and a GPA of 3.0 or above in addition to a science GPA of 3.0 or above.