RN-to-MSN: Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing
The RN-to-MSN is an accelerated path to earning both your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees.
Take courses online and choose to specialize in one of three areas:
The RN-to-MSN combines elements of the BSN and MSN programs by substituting the master's core courses for BSN electives. Six credits (two classes) completed during your BSN coursework will be applied to the master's portion of the program, reducing the overall cost of your education.
Program Snapshot: RN-to-MSN
Length
As little as 2 years
Format
Varies by specialty
Tuition and Fees View overview
In State Tuition: $873.00/credit
Out of State Tuition: $1,549.00/credit
Out of State Tuition: $1,549.00/credit
Credits
69-71
Accreditation Read Details
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Competency-Based Education
This program’s curriculum is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, which focus on competency-based education (CBE). CBE is a student-centered approach that is built on the science of how we learn and provides multiple opportunities for you to demonstrate and use what you are learning as you learn it.
This option is designed for:
- registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline
- registered nurses who do not have a baccalaureate degree but possess the background and the interest in pursuing leadership and specialty preparation at the master's level.
What you'll learn:
This program combines our BSN program with the master’s specialty of your choice. You’ll complete the master’s core courses in place of BSN electives, jump starting your master’s degree before you finish your BSN and saving you both time and money.
You'll choose one of three master’s specialties:
- Community/Public Health Nursing (CPH): Make a difference for patients and communities by discovering and addressing the root causes of our most significant health care issues.
- Nursing Leadership and Management (NLM): Gain the skills to lead with confidence in today’s complex health care environment. You can concentrate on one of three areas: Leadership and Management, Education, or Business.
- Nursing Informatics (NI): Building on your nursing experience, you’ll develop expertise in clinical informatics. Learn to develop, deploy, and optimize health care information systems; leverage health care data to improve the quality and safety of patient care; enhance clinician workflow; and help lower health care costs — to impact entire health care systems.
Full-time and part-time options are available. You can:
- take courses online (HSLM and NI specialties only)
- attend class at UMSON in Baltimore
- take some courses at the Universities at Shady Grove.
You must complete the full course of study within six years to earn the RN-to-MSN.
More Information About the RN-to-MSN Program:
Courses You'll Take: Community/Public Health Specialty
For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. See details.
For the RN-to-MSN program, you’ll complete the requirements for both the BSN as well as the MSN degree in the Community/Public Health specialty. Certain courses count towards both the BSN and the MSN, allowing you to earn both degrees in less time and for less money than it would take to earn each separately.
In this section:
Completing the BSN Degree
| First Semester | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 450 | RN-to-BSN: Transition: Implications for Practice, Policy, and the Profession | 3 |
| NURS 452 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Care for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 454 | Pathophysiologic Implications to Patient Assessment | 5 |
| NELC 400-Level | Elective | 3 |
| Total | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NELC 400-Level | Elective | 3 |
| NURS 460 | Health Informatics for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 467 | Public Health Nursing Essentials for the Registered Nurse | 5 |
| *NRSG 780 | Health Promotion and Population Health | 3 |
| *NRSG 782 | Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Total | 17 | |
| Total Credits for BSN Program: | 31 | |
* MSN Core Courses NRSG 780 and NRSG 782 are substituted for BSN Core Courses
Nurses in the RN-to-MSN program are required to complete 2 NURS 418 electives rather than the 3 required for the RN-to-BSN.
Completing the MSN Degree
After completing the Master’s Core courses, students begin courses specific to their specialty.
| Master's Core Courses | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| *NRSG 780 | Health Promotion and Population Health | 3 |
| *NRSG 782 | Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement | 3 |
| NRSG 790 | Application of Science for Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| NRSG 795 | Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
| Community/Public Health Specialty Courses |
||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 761 | Populations at Risk | 3 |
| NURS 769 | Society, Health and Social Justice | 3 |
| NURS 671 | Epidemiological Assessment Strategies | 3 |
| NURS 730 | Environmental Health | 3 |
| NURS 732 | Program Planning and Evaluation in Community/Public Health | 3 |
| NURS 762 | Program Planning and Evaluation in Community/Public Health Practicum | 3 |
| NURS 733 | Leadership in Community/Public Health Nursing | 4 |
| NURS 753 | Practicum in Leadership in Community/Public Health Nursing | 4 |
| Total Credits for MSN Program | 38 | |
Courses You'll Take: Nursing Leadership and Management Specialty
For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. See details.
For the RN-to-MSN program, you’ll complete the requirements for both the BSN as well as the MSN degree in the Nursing Leadership and Management specialty. Certain courses count towards both the BSN and MSN, allowing you to earn both degrees in less time and for less money than it would take to earn each separately.
In this section:
Completing the BSN Degree
| First Semester | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 450 | RN-to-BSN: Transition: Implications for Practice, Policy, and the Profession | 3 |
| NURS 452 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Care for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 454 | Pathophysiologic Implications to Patient Assessment | 5 |
| NELC 400-Level | Elective | 3 |
| Total | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NELC 400-Level | Elective | 3 |
| NURS 460 | Health Informatics for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 467 | Public Health Nursing Essentials for the Registered Nurse | 5 |
| *NRSG 780 | Health Promotion and Population Health | 3 |
| *NRSG 782 | Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Total | 17 | |
| Total Credits for BSN Program: | 31 | |
*MSN Core Courses NRSG 780 and NRSG 782 are substituted for BSN Core Courses
Nurses in the RN-to-MSN program are required to complete 2 NURS 418 electives rather than the 3 required for the RN-to-BSN.
Completing the MSN Degree
After completing the Master’s Core courses, students begin courses specific to their specialty. Nursing Leadership and Management specialty students select a focus (NlM Executive Practice or NLM Education) for their electives.
| Master's Core Courses | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| *NRSG 780 | Health Promotion and Population Health | 3 |
| *NRSG 782 | Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement | 3 |
| NRSG 790 | Application of Science for Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| NRSG 795 | Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
| Leadership & Management Core Courses | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 690 | Managerial Health Finance | 3 |
| NURS 691 | Organizational Theories: Applications to Health Service Management | 3 |
| NURS 692 | Administration of Nursing and Health Care Services | 3 |
| NURS 695 | Practicum in Health Services, Leadership, and Management | 5 |
| NURS 736 | Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care | 3 |
| Total | 17 | |
| NLM Focus* | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS xxx | Elective | 3 |
| NURS xxx | Elective | 3 |
| NURS xxx | Elective | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| NLM Education Focus* | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 787 | Theoretical Foundations of Teaching and Learning in Nursing and Health Professions | 3 |
| NURS 791 | Instructional Strategies and Assessment of Learning in Nursing and Health Professions | 3 |
| NURS 792 | Practicum in Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions | 3 |
| Total | 9 | |
| Total Credits for MSN Program |
38 | |
Courses You'll Take: Nursing Informatics Specialty
For financial aid purposes, there are credit minimums for full-time status that may differ from the plans of study. See details.
For the RN-to-MS program, you’ll complete the requirements for both the BSN as well as the MS degree in the Nursing Informatics specialty. Certain courses count towards both the BSN and MSN, allowing you to earn both degrees in less time and for less money than it would take to earn each separately.
In this section:
Completing the BSN Degree
| First Semester | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 450 | RN-to-BSN: Transition: Implications for Practice, Policy, and the Profession | 3 |
| NURS 452 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Care for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 454 | Pathophysiologic Implications to Patient Assessment | 5 |
| NELC 400-Level | Elective | 3 |
| Total | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NELC 400-Level | Elective | 3 |
| NURS 460 | Health Informatics for the Registered Nurse | 3 |
| NURS 467 | Public Health Nursing Essentials for the Registered Nurse | 5 |
| *NRSG 780 | Health Promotion and Population Health | 3 |
| *NRSG 782 | Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement | 3 |
| Total | 17 | |
| Total Credits for BSN Program: | 31 | |
* MSN Core Courses NRSG 780 and NRSG 782 are substituted for BSN Core Courses
Nurses in the RN-to-MSN program are required to complete 2 NURS 418 electives rather than the 3 required for the RN-to-BSN.
Completing the MSN Degree
After completing the Master’s Core courses, students begin courses specific to their specialty.
| Master's Core Courses | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| *NRSG 780 | Health Promotion and Population Health | 3 |
| *NRSG 782 | Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement | 3 |
| NRSG 790 | Application of Science for Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| NRSG 795 | Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice | 3 |
| Total | 12 | |
| Nursing Informatics Specialty Courses |
||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| NURS 690 | Managerial Health Finance | 3 |
| NURS 691 | Organizational Theories: Applications to Health Service Management | 3 |
| NURS 736 | Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care | 3 |
| NURS 786 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| NURS 784 | Information Technology Project Management | 3 |
| NURS 785 | Healthcare Database Systems | 3 |
| NURS 737 | Nursing Informatics Concepts and Practice in Systems Adoption | 3 |
| NURS 738 | Practicum In Nursing Informatics | 4 |
| NURS 770 | Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| Total Credits for MSN Program | 40 | |
Scholarship Opportunities
Your nursing education is an important investment. Financial aid and scholarships can help make your goals a reality.
UMSON offers multiple opportunities to help you afford your graduate education.
| Type of Aid | Award |
|---|---|
| Federal Financial Aid | various award amounts |
| Merit Scholarships | $1,500-$3,000 per semester (You are automatically considered for a merit scholarship upon submitting a completed application for enrollment in an UMSON academic program.) |
| Donor-Funded Scholarships | $500-2,000 per semester (offered during the fall and spring semesters) |
| Conway Scholarship | full scholarship: tuition and fees (for those who will have completed 9 credit hours of graduate study by the start of the semester for which the Conway Scholarship is awarded and who have at least half of their credit hours remaining) |
| Graduate Assistantships | stipend, tuition remission, in-state status, and paid student health insurance |
Learn More About Financial Aid and Scholarships
All students receiving funds through the University must:
- be enrolled at least half-time (6 credits) in a degree-seeking program
- complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by UMB's award priority deadline
- FAFSA Submission period: Oct. 1 (of the previous year) through Feb. 28
- FAFSA School code: 002104
The UMB Office of Student Financial Assistance & Education is available to guide prospective and current students through the FAFSA application process and the financial aid award package.
Contact Us:
UMSON Scholarships and Grants Office
410-706-0489 | nrsscholarships@umaryland.edu
UMB Student Financial Assistance and Education Office
410-706-7347 | aidtalk@umaryland.edu
Prerequisites
Find out how your prerequisites transfer.
If you have taken coursework in Maryland, the Articulation System for Maryland Colleges and Universities (ARTSYS) is an online evaluation system that can help you determine how courses taken at any two year college in Maryland transfer to UMSON.
Before you begin the admissions process, you can submit copies of your unofficial transcript(s) to us for review, and an admissions counselor will advise you on your requirements for admission. Visit the Prerequisite Course Information Resources webpage to learn more about prerequisite requirement.
Prerequisite Courses
The following lower-division, pre-professional courses may be completed at any accredited college or university.
| Prerequisite Course | Credits | Helpful Course Tips |
|---|---|---|
| General Chemistry* | 4 | • Must include lab • Must be general chemistry or higher (example: organic) • Preparatory or introductory chemistry is not accepted |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II* | 8 | • Must include lab |
| Microbiology* | 4 | • Must include lab |
| Human Growth and Development | 3 | • Must be a lifespan course covering conception through death • Child/adolescent psychology is not acceptable |
| Statistics | 3 | • Must be a 100-level or higher statistics course |
| Nutrition | 3 | • Must be a human nutrition course |
| English Composition I and II or Creative Writing/Literature | 6 | • Introductory-level English and one higher-level course fulfills this requirement • English as a second language is not accepted |
| Psychology | 3 | • Any course from the psychology department |
| Social Sciences | 3 | • Must be an anthropology or sociology course |
| Social Sciences | 3 | • Additional course(s) can be anthropology, criminal justice, economics, geography, history, political science, criminal justice, women’s studies, additional psychology, sociology |
| Arts and Humanities | 9 |
• Courses must come from at least two of these disciplines: art history, classics, communications,dance, history, humanities, film and media studies, foreign language (to include American sign language), linguistics, literature, music studio/visual art, philosophy, religious studies, speech, theatre, women’s/cultural studies |
| General Electives | 10 | • Any additional courses, academic in nature, that are not below the 100 level • English as a second language courses, above the 100 level, are accepted. • Orientation and nursing courses are not accepted. |
Bold: Applicants who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are required to complete only these prerequisite courses.
General Notes:
- Applicants who have not earned a bachelor’s degree are required to complete all 59 prerequisite credits.
- Courses may be taken online.
- No course can be used to fulfill more than one requirement.
- All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to enrollment at UMSON. Final transcripts and scores must be submitted one week prior to classes starting.
RN-to-MSN Admission Information
In this section:
- Deadlines
- Qualifications
- Prerequisites
- Application Materials and Instructions
- Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S
Deadlines:
For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to have all required application materials submitted by the respective deadlines to ensure your application is considered for admission and scholarships.
| Spring 2025 Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Regular Deadline/Deadline for UMSON Scholarship Consideration | Dec.15, 2024 Completed applications received after this deadline are reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and the Conway Scholarship (additional application required). Federal financial aid eligibility is not impacted by this deadline. |
| Final Deadline | Jan. 5, 2025 All applications and supplemental documents must be received by this date. Incomplete applications after this deadline will be canceled. |
| Fall 2025 Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Regular Deadline/Deadline for UMSON Scholarship Consideration | July 15, 2025 Completed applications received after this deadline are reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and the Conway Scholarship (additional application required). Federal financial aid eligibility is not impacted by this deadline. |
| Final Deadline | Aug. 5, 2025 All applications and supplemental documents must be received by this date. Incomplete applications after this deadline will be canceled. |
Should the deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted through the subsequent business day.
Qualifications:
- an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
- an undergraduate science GPA of at least 2.75 (chemistry, anatomy and physiology I and II, microbiology)
Prerequisite Coursework:
Applicants are required to complete 59 credits of prerequisite course work from an accredited institution.
Prior to applying, applicants must complete a minimum of:
- two science prerequisite courses:
chemistry with lab, anatomy and physiology I or II with lab, or microbiology with lab - one of the following prerequisite courses:
human growth and development, statistics, or nutrition
Additionally, applicants can have no more than four courses in progress at the time of application.
All prerequisite courses must be complete prior to enrollment at UMSON. Effective immediately, applicants must submit final grades at least two weeks prior to classes starting.
Application Materials and Instructions:
Materials |
Submission Guidelines |
| Online Application and non-refundable $75 application fee. |
Start your application now via the Admissions Dashboard. The Admissions Dashboard is where you will:
|
| One recommendation. Your recommendation must come from a recent professional source. Only the first recommendation received will be considered. | Submit/request these materials via the Admissions Dashboard. |
Essay. Please submit a concise essay that addresses your prior education and work experience, as well as how you expect the BSN and the MSN to enhance your professional career goals. A well-written essay will incorporate the following:
|
|
| Typed résumé or CV. Be sure to include your full name with your résumé submission. | |
|
Prerequisite Course List. Download and complete the Prerequisite Course List. Prerequisite courses must be taken at regionally or nationally accredited schools. ACE credits are not accepted. |
|
| A copy of your valid, unrestricted (current) RN license in the United States. For a current list of compact states, see the Maryland Board of Nursing website; if you hold an active Maryland RN license, send us a copy of your printable license verification, available on the Maryland Board of Nursing website. | |
|
Official transcripts. An official transcript from every institution previously attended or currently attending must be submitted in a sealed envelope, as prepared by the sending institution. Returning students are not required to submit UMSON transcripts; we will upload a copy of your UMSON transcript to your application. Please note that UMSON is listed two ways in the Academics area. Please make sure you choose one of the following:
|
Have each institution submit electronically to admissions.nursing@umaryland.edu. |
| Residency classification. Applicants who are claiming in-state (Maryland) residency MUST apply for in-state status. | Complete a residency application and submit it either by mail, e-mail, or fax to the Office of the Registrar using the instructions supplied at the bottom of the residency application. The completed application, signed and dated, should be submitted prior to the first day of enrollment for the term and program for which you are seeking admission. |
Applicants without a High School Diploma or College Degree in the U.S:
- If you do not have a degree from a U.S. high school, college, or university, you are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
- If you have completed coursework outside of the U.S., you must have your transcripts evaluated.
This program is not eligible for F-1 or J-1 student visa sponsorship by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, due to the amount of online courses.
If you have questions regarding the admissions requirements or process, contact the Office of Admission and Student Scholarships to avoid errors that could delay the processing of your application.
Transfer of Credit by Examination
What credit by examinations do you accept?
The University of Maryland School of Nursing recognizes the following proficiency examination programs for credit:
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- International Baccalaureate Exams (IB)
Required tests scores, credits, and transfer equivalency are determined by UMSON. Credits earned through AP, CLEP, or IB may be used to fulfill UMSON prerequisite coursework requirements.
How do I know if my score can be used, and how do I request a score?
Advanced Placement (AP)
UMSON will award credit on the scores listed on the AP Transfer Equivalencies for UMSON Chart.
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
UMSON will award credit on the scores listed on the CLEP Transfer Equivalencies for UMSON Chart.
International Baccalaureate Exams (IB)
UMSON will award credit on the scores listed on the IB Transfer Equivalencies for UMSON Chart.
Can I use a score that falls below the requirement?
No. Scores that fall below the listed requirements cannot be used towards credit.
My previous school accepted a score below your requirement so I did not have to take the course. Will UMSON?
No, if you did not meet UMSON’s minimum requirements you will need to take an appropriate course to satisfy the prerequisite.
My scores are listed on my transcript, do I still need to send an official AP, CLEP, or IB transcript?
Yes. Credit will not be awarded without an official AP, CLEP, or IB transcript.
How long does it take for an AP/CLEP/IB score to be received?
It often takes more than 10 business days. If your score is archived it takes much longer. It is best to make your request early.
Where do I submit my credit by exam transcript?
Official transcripts are required if requesting to use towards UMSON prerequisites. All AP, CLEP, or IB scores should be sent to:
University of Maryland School of Nursing
655 West Lombard St., Suite 102
Baltimore, MD 21202
I requested my official score be sent to UMSON a while ago but it still hasn’t arrived and now the deadline has passed. Can my application still be reviewed?
No, we require all transcripts by the deadline. It is recommended you request your score early to avoid this.
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