MSN Programs Without BSN – MSN Programs for Non Nurses

It might sound impossible to even talk of going for MSN program without BSN, but the truth is, there are MSN programs without BSN that you can go for if you fulfil some prerequisites.

While some schools and MSN programs make this look impossible, there are good numbers of others that have proven otherwise.

I have personally wanted to go for an MSN but I was discouraged because I didn’t have a BSN. It happens that most of the universities I searched about required BSN as a prerequisite.

So what did I do?

When I seems like I was almost getting frustrated about my career pursuit, I had to twist my search query and I landed on a helpful information that I am about to share with you right now!

So stay tuned!

Can I do MSN Without BSN?

MSN Programs Without BSN

Most people ask if it is possible to get a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) without having a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); well, the answer is yes.

While some students believe, and probably some schools make it a core requirement that you must have your BSN first before advancing to MSN, some programs allow non-nursing degree-holding students to get their master’s, known as direct-entry master’s in nursing (MSN) programs.

After my long term search as I narrated earlier, I came to realize that some universities offer direct-entry programs that can enable students without BSN to do their MSN.

In this article, I will be listing some of those best nursing programs and universities that allow non-nursing bachelor’s degree students to apply and do their MSN without a BSN through a Direct Entry MSN program.

Note: with MSN degree, you can advance to careers like nurse practitioner, senior midwife, nurse anesthetist, educator, etc.

Related Articles:

List of 18 Schools that Offer MSN Programs Without BSN

18 best MSN programs and schools for non nurses (MSN programs without BSN). The best direct entry MSN programs for non nursing majors online.

Below is the list of some of best universities that allow MSN without BSN for non-nursing bachelor’s degree students to apply and do their MSN without a BSN through a Direct Entry MSN program:

  1. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
  2. Vanderbilt University
  3. The University of Texas, Austin
  4. University of California, Davis
  5. University of California, Irvine
  6. University of Rochester
  7. Augusta University
  8. Alverno College
  9. Azusa Pacific University
  10. Case Western Reserve University
  11. Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences
  12. Columbia University
  13. DePaul University
  14. Elmhurst College
  15. Emory University
  16. Johns Hopkins University
  17. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions
  18. Marquette University

Related Articles:

List of MSN Programs Without BSN in 2023

  1. Master’s Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN) program by UCLA
  2. Vanderbilt School of Nursing Pre-specialty Entry Program
  3. Alternate Entry Master of Science in Nursing (AE-MSN) program by the University of Texas, Austin
  4. Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) by University of California, Davis
  5. Master’s Entry Program in Nursing by University of California, Irvine
  6. Accelerated Nursing Programs by University of Rochester School of Nursing
  7. Entry-level BSN degree program by Augusta University

Master’s Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN) by UCLA

The University of California, Los Angeles, has a direct-entry program for students without BSN called Master’s Entry Clinical Nurse (MECN); this program prepares students with a BSN in other fields to take a path in nursing.

This master’s program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which means graduates of this program can be recognized like other MSN graduates.

Students of this program can take the Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL) certification exam and even the Public Health Nursing Certificate.

This program lasts two years, and the tuition fee is $11,220. There is no online mode of study, so all students must report to the campus for studies.

Vanderbilt School of Nursing Pre-specialty Entry Program

The next on our list of schools with direct-entry master’s programs is the Vanderbilt School of Nursing pre-specialty entry program.

This pre-specialty entry program is designed for students with a Bachelor’s degree in any field other than nursing but who wish to get an MSN and go into nursing.

The program is recognized by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program requires 30 to 40 hours per week and clinical training.

During this program, the students will firstly be trained based on the bachelor of science nursing (BSN) curriculum or any related clinical training in three semesters before being eligible to go into MSN coursework.

Cost:

The tuition fee is $1,883 for each credit hour, which does not cover all educational costs.

Alternate Entry Master of Science in Nursing (AE-MSN) By the University of Texas, Austin

The University of Texas, Austin offers an alternate entry MSN program for students without BSN that wish to earn an MSN degree.

This program includes some specialties like adult-gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist.

When you complete your program, you can take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and become a Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).

Students can study full-time till the end of the 2.5 to 3 years or study as full-time students for a year before going part-time.

Cost:

The tuition fee differs for in-state and out-of-state students; while in-state students pay $12,773 yearly, out-of-state students will pay $23,308 yearly.

Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) by University of California, Davis

As a student that is interested in becoming advanced practice nurses without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, the University of California, Davis Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) should be one of your options.

The program requires students to attend classes on campus from Mondays to Fridays and go for clinical training in the evenings and weekends.

Other than getting only an MSN, program graduates will also be eligible for the Public Health Nurse certification.

This Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN) is designed to last for 18 months and must be done on campus.

Cost:

Students will pay $77,908 in their first year and $37,455 in their second year.

Master’s Entry Program in Nursing by University of California, Irvine

Students without BSN that wish to major in Community and Population Health Nursing (CPHN) can go for the University of California, Irvine master’s entry program.

The program has a small population. With this program, students can get the necessary knowledge to start or advance their nursing careers while qualifying them for MSN.

This program by the University of California, Irvine is designed to last for 2 years, and all students must report to the campus for classes.

Just like other direct-entry master’s programs, this program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Cost:

For in-state students, the tuition fee is $11,442 for a year, while out-of-state students pay $ 23,687 each year. This tuition fee does not cover all educational charges and fees.

Accelerated Nursing Programs by University of Rochester School of Nursing

Students who are without BSN can get the degree can register for the University of Rochester School of Nursing’s accelerated nursing programs.

This 12 months program qualifies non-nurses and enable them proceed to do doing their MSN program which last for two years or so, depending on how fast the student can cover the required courses and credit hours.

This program also makes it easy for students without BSN to become nurse practitioners (NP) and offers the quickest route for college students to enter the nursing profession.

There are many specialties for students to choose from, like Family Psychiatric Mental Health, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care, Pediatric, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, and others.

Cost:

The tuition fee is about $1,680 for each credit hour. The time frame is two to three years; this would have been lesser if the student had a BSN.

Entry-level BSN degree program by Augusta University

Augusta University has a direct-entry master’s program for students interested in becoming a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL).

This program is an accelerated, innovative and intensive program for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees.

Students who successfully complete this program can take the national exams like the NCLEX licensure examination for Registered Nurses (RN) and the CNL Certification exam administered by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

The MSN-CNL program is taught on the Augusta and Athens campuses and the program is only available on campus. Students can choose between Augusta and Athens campuses depending on their location.

Cost:

The program lasts 2 years, and each semester costs $6000 for in-state students and $14,695 for out-of-state students.

Bottom line

Students without BSN can get their MSN by studying direct-entry master’s in nursing (MSN) programs.

With these programs, they can become registered nurses (RN) or advanced practice nurses (APRN), but they will have to spend more time than those with BSN.

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