Michigan MSN Programs

Andrews University: RN to MSN Program Review
Andrews University, 8975 Old U.S. 31, Berrien Springs, MI 49104
Andrews University was established in 1874. The university is a private post-secondary institution and is the first university founded by the Seventh Day Adventists Church. Andrews University was originally called Battle Creek College.

The Department of Nursing offers an online nursing masters degree in Nurse Education. The RN to MSN program can be completed in two to three years of study, approximately 5 semesters if completed full time. The core component of the degree program includes 15 units, and the Nurse Education concentration requires 23 credits of study. The nursing masters degree program at Andrews University is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

Applicants to the nursing masters program should have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program accredited by NLNAC or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Though a specific time requirement for employment is not listed, applicants should have positive references from current or previous employers. A prerequisite course in statistics and valid nursing license are also required for admission. Applicants that live abroad should have the equivalent of an RN license and BSN in their home country.

In order to successfully complete the nursing masters degree program, applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn a B or better in all graduate course.

Eastern Michigan University: RN to MSN Program Review

Eastern Michigan University
900 Oakwood St

Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Eastern Michigan University is a public university located less than 40 miles from Detroit and less than 10 miles from Ann Arbor. The university was established in 1849 and serves more than 23,000 students.

The following nursing masters degree program concentrations are offered:

Adult Health with Concentration

Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist with concentration

Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist

The MSN program can be completed in 40 to 49 credits depending on the concentration chosen. In addition to the Adult Health nursing masters program, students have the options of selecting one of four concentrations:

Teaching in health care systems

Quality improvement in health care systems

Gerontology

Individualized study (a customized program)

Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a bachelors degree in nursing. Registered Nurses with a non-nursing bachelors degree may be offered provisional admission to the nursing masters degree program. For full admission to the masters in nursing, applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants with a minimum 2.75 GPA may be offered provisional admission.

All applicants must have a valid Michigan RN license or the ability to attain one. Two letters of recommendation, a personal essay and academic writing sample should be submitted in addition to the nursing masters degree application. Prerequisite courses in statistics and health assessment are also required.

Ferris State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Ferris State University

1201 S State St

Big Rapids, MI 49307

Ferris State University is based in Big Rapids, Michigan and also has satellite campuses throughout the state. The university was established in 1884 and was originally called Big Rapids Industrial School.

The nursing masters degree program has concentrations in Nursing Education, Nursing Administration and Nursing Informatics. Students can also choose to complete more than one concentration. The RN to MSN program is flexible and designed to meet the needs of nurses in various stages of nursing study. Students can take as little as one or as many as four courses in a given semester of study. Nearly the entire nursing masters degree program is offered online. Nursing students are required to attend campus-based weekend meetings for some nursing informatics courses.

Because the MSN program primarily serves working nurses, most students take one to two courses each semester. In order to qualify for financial aid, nurses must be enrolled in at least two courses. In addition to coursework, the Nursing MS program also requires a scholarly project and comprehensive exam. All three MSN concentrations are 36 credits. Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have at least two years of experience as a Registered Nurse in addition to having a BSN with a 3.0 or above GPA.

Grand Valley State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Grand Valley State University

1 N Campus Dr

Allendale Charter Township, MI 49401

Grand Valley State University is a public post-secondary institution that was established in 1960. The university focuses on liberal arts education.

The Kirkhof College of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing program with several specializations. The nursing masters degree program is designed for working nurses and is delivered in a flexible format. Courses in the nursing masters degree program are held in the downtown area of Grand Rapids. The 41-credit nursing masters degree program can be completed in just seven semesters of study. The RN to MSN program offers an advanced generalist, administrative practice or advanced clinical specialization.

Applicants to the MSN program should have a Bachelors degree in nursing earned with a 3.0 or above GPA from a program accredited by a nursing body. Nurses applying to the masters degree program with a GPA of 3.3 or above are not required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). For other applicants, a score of 500 or above on each section of the GRE and a writing score of 4.0 or above are required for admission consideration. In addition to a personal essay, an academic writing sample is part of the application process. An interview with nursing program faculty is also part of the MSN program.

Madonna University: RN to MSN Program Review

Madonna University

36600 Schoolcraft Rd

Livonia, MI 48150

Madonna University is a Catholic liberal arts institution based near Detroit. The Felician Sisters founded the university in 1937.

An MSN and dual degree MSN/MBA (Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Business Administration) program are offered at Madonna University. The following specializations are offered in the nursing masters degree program:

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Nursing Administration

Both the Acute and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentrations can be further specialized to include a Palliative Care and Hospice focus. The nursing masters degree program includes 15 hours of core studies for nurses in all concentrations. The nursing masters degree program also offers a Second Degree MSN program for nurses who already hold an MSN. This program allows nurses to develop a personalized program of study to earn an additional degree in nursing.

Applications to the nursing masters degree programs are accepted year round. Applicants should have a bachelors degree in nursing from a program accredited by a nursing body with a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average. Only applicants with a GPA below 3.25 are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Two letters of recommendation, an essay and admission interview with a member of the nursing program are required. During the admission interview, applicants will be given information about which prerequisite courses are required.

Though a specific amount of years isn’t given, applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have career experience in clinical nursing and should continue to gain experience while enrolled in the MSN program.

Michigan State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Michigan State University
101 Marshall Adams Hall

East Lansing, MI 48824

Michigan State University, more commonly known as MSU was established in 1855 and is based in Michigan’s capital city, Lansing. Clinical Nurse Specialist Education, Nurse Anesthesia, Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner concentrations are offered in the nursing masters degree program. The nursing masters degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Upon completion of the Nurse Practitioner specializations, applicants are prepares to take the certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist Education program is delivered online, though students are required to attend an orientation on campus. The Nurse Anesthesia and Nurse Practitioner programs are delivered in a hybrid format, in which students complete coursework online and on campus.

Applicants to the RN to MSN program should have a bachelors degree in nursing and at least one year of clinical nursing experience before commencing the clinical portion of the nursing program. A prerequisite course in statistics is required at the undergraduate level. Applicants to the Clinical Nurse Specialist Education Concentration are not required to have nursing experience. Applicants to the Nurse Anesthesia program should have clinical experience in an intensive care unit and are required to submit scores for the GRE.

Northern Michigan University: RN to MSN Program Review

Northern Michigan University
1401 Presque Isle Ave

Marquette, MI 49855

Founded in 1899, Marquette University is located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The university was originally established as Northern State Normal School and served just over 30 students when it opened.

The RN to MSN program is designed for bachelors prepared nurses and has a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) focus. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The MSN FNP program requires three years to complete and is offered on a part-time schedule. In addition to 45 credits of coursework, students will complete more than 700 clinical practicum experience hours.

Students in the MSN program will benefit from a hybrid model, in which courses can be completed online and on-campus. It is also possible for students to complete clinical practicum requirements in their hometown upon approval. In addition to practicum experience, students are required to pass an exam to earn the MSN degree.

Nurses applying to the MSN FNP program should have at least one year of recent experience (no more than three years prior to the application period) as a nurse. The academic requirements for admission to the masters in nursing program include a BSN earned with a 3.0 or above GPA. Three references, a personal essay and nursing license are also required. A prerequisite course in statistics is recommend, though not required.

Oakland University: RN to MSN Program Review

Oakland University
2200 N Squirrel Rd

Rochester, MI 48309

Oakland University offers more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university was established in 1957 by Matilda Wilson and John Hannah. Oakland University has a campus in Auburn and Rochester Hills.

Nurse Anesthesia, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner courses are offered in the nursing masters degree program. All three masters concentrations prepare the nursing student for certification in their area of study. The Nurse Practitioner MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Nurse Anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. The Nurse Anesthesia program is full time and can be completed in 28 months of study.

Nurses seeking admission to the RN to MSN program are required to submit applications to Oakland University as well as the nursing masters degree program. Applicants with a Grade Point Average below 3.2 are required to submit scores for the Graduate Record Exam. In order to be considered for admission, applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or above in a BSN program accredited by the CCNE or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

A personal statement, prerequisite course in physical assessment and admission interview are additional requirements for admission consideration.

Saginaw Valley State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Saginaw Valley State University

7400 Bay Rd

University Center, MI 48710

Saginaw Valley State University was originally established as Saginaw Valley College in 1963. More than 10,500 students are enrolled at Saginaw Valley State University. The average graduate class at the university has no more than sixteen students.

The nursing masters degree program prepares nurses for careers in nursing education, nursing administration and clinical nurse leadership. Students can also choose a double concentration as a nurse educator and nurse administrator. The RN to MSN program is delivered part-time and in a blended format, with both online and campus-based courses. Students in the Master of Science in Nursing program will take two classes in each semester of the program. An RN to MSN entry option is offered for nurses without a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing).

The MSN Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Applicants to the nursing masters program should have a Michigan nursing license or eligibility to obtain it. Two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, transcripts, resume and an interview are required for admission consideration. Depending on the applicant’s admission portfolio, scores for the Graduate Record Exam may be requested. A Bachelors degree in nursing and GPA of 3.0 or above are the basic academic requirements for admission.

International students applying to the masters in nursing program are required to take the TOEFL.

University of Detroit Mercy: RN to MSN Program Review

University of Detroit Mercy

2700 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Detroit, MI 48208

The University of Detroit Mercy maintains affiliations with the Catholic Church, specifically the Sisters of Mercy and the Society of Jesus. The university was established in 1990 as a merger between the University of Detroit and Mercy College of Detroit founded in 1877 and 1941 respectively.

A Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia and Master of Science in Nursing degree program are offered at the University of Detroit Mercy. Specializations in the nursing masters degree program include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Health Systems Management, Nursing Education and Clinical Nurse Leader. The Nursing Education program includes an Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist focus. The MSN FNP program is 44 credits and requires 720 clinical practicum hours. The 38 credit Health Systems Management MSN is offered at Macomb Community College in addition to the University of Detroit Mercy campus. Some nursing programs are delivered in a blended format, with both campus-based and online courses.

Admission requirements to the nursing masters degree program include 2000 hours of work experience as a registered nurse (approximately one year of full-time work experience), a bachelors degree in nursing and a GPA of 3.0 or above. Three letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, personal essay and interview are also used to evaluate admission to the RN to MSN program.

There are additional requirements for applicants to the CRNA program including experience in a critical care setting. In lieu of a BSN, applicants to the CRNA program may be accepted with a bachelors degree in chemistry, physics, biology or a related science degree.

University of Michigan Ann Arbor: RN to MSN Program Review

University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

The University of Michigan is the oldest and one of the largest public universities in the state of Michigan. Founded in 1817, the university has three campuses in Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn. The University of Michigan is often referred to as Michigan.

The University of Michigan Ann Arbor has nursing masters degree programs in three areas – Acute, Critical and Long Term Care, Health Promotion and Risk Reduction and Nursing Business and Health Systems. The following concentrations are offered:

Adult Gerontology Acute Care (Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner)

Acute Care Pediatric (Clinical Nurse Specialist or Nurse Practitioner)

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner

Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Midwife (can be combined with Family Nurse Practitioner or Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)

Nursing Business and Health Systems

Joint degree programs are offered in Nursing and Business Administration (MSN/MBA), Nursing and Health Services Administration (MSN/MHSA) and Nursing and Information (MSN/MSI). The Nursing Business and Health Systems degree may be further specialized one of five areas, Nursing Education, Nursing Healthcare Policy, Quality and Patient Safety, Nursing Management/Executive Leadership and Nursing Informatics.

Applicants to the nursing program should have a bachelors degree in nursing from a program accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission nursing prior to commencing courses in the nursing masters program. Though a 3.0 is required for admission to the nursing masters degree program, applicants with a GPA below 3.25 are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

University of Michigan Flint: RN to MSN Program Review

University of Michigan Flint

303 E Kearsley St

Flint, MI 48502

The University of Michigan Flint is one of three campuses in the University of Michigan system which also includes campuses in Ann Arbor and Dearborn. Founded in 1956, the Flint campus is also referred to as UM Flint.

An Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program is offered at UM Flint. The RN to MSN program is delivered primarily through distance education, though up to eight campus visits may be required. The nursing masters degree program can be completed in less than 1.5 years of study. The MSN program prepares nurses for a career as an Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Students in the nursing masters program can complete clinical practicum requirements in their area, though they are required to work less than 25 hours each week.

Bachelors-prepared nurses applying to the MSN program should have a GPA of 3.2 or above. Nurses with a graduate degree, should have a minimum GPA of 3.5.Prerequiste courses in chemistry and statistics should be completed prior to starting the nursing MSN program. The MSN program is fulltime and begins in the winter. The 43 credit program accepts no more than 16 students each enrollment period. Grants are available for nursing students in the MSN program that maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Wayne State University: RN to MSN Program Review

Wayne State University

Wayne State University is a public research university based in the metropolitan city of Detroit. The university was established in 1868. The student body at Wayne State University represents all 50 states and nearly 65 foreign countries.

Adult Acute Care Nursing, Adult Primary Care Nursing, Advanced Practice Nursing (Women, Neonates & Children), Community Health Nursing and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentrations are offered in the College of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing program. The MSN program is designed for bachelors prepared nurses. The length of the program ranges from 37 to 47 credits depending on the MSN specialization. Students have up to six years to complete the degree requirements for the Master of Science in nursing degree program.

Admission requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing program include a minimum 2.8 GPA for provisional admission consideration. Generally, applicants should have a bachelor of science degree in nursing and a GPA of 3.0 or above. A Michigan nursing license is required prior to beginning the nursing masters degree program. Three letters of reference and a personal essay are also required for admission consideration. Applicants to the MSN program do not need to take the Graduate Record Exam.

Monthly informational meetings and the opportunity to meet with admission officers are available each month at the College of Nursing for prospective students.

Western Michigan University: RN to MSN Program

Western Michigan University

1903 W Michigan Ave

Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Dwight Waldo founded Western Michigan University in 1903. Western Michigan University serves over 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The Carnegie Foundation recognizes Western Michigan University as a research institution and the university was named among the top 100 universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

The Bronson School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree program with a Nurse Educator or Nurse Leader specialization. The nursing masters degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The RN to MSN program can be completed in approximately seven semesters, or two years of study. As a final requirement for the masters in nursing program, applicants will complete a research project. The MSN program is offered on a full-time, two-course per semester plan of study.

Applicants to the nursing masters degree program should have a bachelor of science degree in nursing or bachelors degree with a nursing major. Registered Nurses with a bachelors degree in a non-nursing field are admitted at the discretion of the admission committee. If admitted, RNs without a BSN are required to take a nursing transitions course. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above is required for admission to the nursing masters degree program. Additional application requirements include three letters of recommendation, a personal essay and admission interview.