Advance your RN degree by earning your BSN, MSN or both online
RN to MSN Options at a Glance
As the largest RN to MSN program in the US, Chamberlain's integrative design means you have limitless ways to earn your MSN degree. As a registered nurse with an active RN license looking to earn your MSN, choose from receiving your degree by enrolling full time into our RN-BSN to MSN program or Accelerated RN to MSN (with or without clinical nurse leadership) programs.
Our RN-BSN to MSN Option allows you to complete coursework at your own pace or enroll in Chamberlain’s Accelerated RN to MSN Options and complete your degree in less than four semesters– the choice is yours.
- Earn your BSN, MSN, or both
- RN-BSN to MSN (with both degrees conferred)
- Accelerated RN-MSN (only MSN degree conferred)
- Accelerated RN-MSN with Clinical Nurse Leadership Option
- Courses on your schedule
- Group-specific tuition rates
Two RN to MSN Options
Choosing between programs?
Explore the differences between BSN, MSN and accelerated MSN options
RN-MSN Accelerated
RNs advance their degrees without getting bogged down by prerequisites.
Good for Nurses who
- Value expediency
- Achieved at least a 3.0 GPA
- Earns an MSN Degree upon completion
- Have an active RN license
RN-BSN to MSN
Enables RNs to advance their education and careers while being cost and time effective
Good for Nurses who
- Value efficiency
- Achieved at least a 2.0 GPA
- Have an active RN license
- Earn two degrees with specialization (BSN and MSN)
RN-BSN Option
BSN curriculum, 100% online coursework that fits your busy schedule.
Good for Nurses who
- Value Flexibility
- Wants to earn a BSN degree
- Will receive 77 proficiency credits
- Have an active RN license
Looking to further your training?
Upon completion of an MSN degree or if you are looking to expand your nursing skills within a key specialty area, you have the option to also earn a graduate certificate! Graduate certificates can be achieved in less than two years – with 100% online coursework.
Explore graduate certificate programs within these areas:
Non-Clinical Speciality Tracks
- Healthcare Policy
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Leadership
- Population Health
Clinical Speciality Tracks
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
RN to MSN Option FAQs
Chamberlain has several resources that can help you become acclimated to the online classroom. Once you apply you will have access to Chamberlain Care Student Success Strategies, which provides information on time management, scholarly writing, using the library and more. You can also ask your admissions representative for a personal tour of the online environment in which you will be taking classes or you can view the Online Classroom Demonstration Video Series to learn about what you can expect when you log into your class.
We are dedicated to supporting you throughout your educational journey. To further support your success, a Student Online Readiness Assessment is designed to help assess the skills needed for success in online courses. You will see the assessment listed as a task in the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) course.
No. Coursework is completed 100% online. (Note: All Nurse Practitioner specialty tracks require one visit for the immersion experience as part of NR-509. Also note that the AGACNP track requires two immersions. The Capstone intensive review session also requires in-person experiences.)
There are no mandatory login times. Most classes require that you login two to three times per week. Check the course syllabus for information specific to your class.
While tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices may allow for some completion of coursework, they are not guaranteed to work in all areas. Please ensure you have a Windows (preferred) or Mac-based computer available to complete coursework in the event your selected mobile device does not meet the needs of the course. The Help Desk does not provide technical support for tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices at this time.
Request more information to have an admission representative provide you with a course tour.
It is possible to transfer from the RN-BSN to MSN into the Accelerated RN to MSN Option but, students may need to complete the full Accelerated RN to MSN curriculum. Please speak to an advisor for more information regarding transfer credits.
You’re more than just an application or a test score.
If you fall below our academic eligibility requirements, our admissions committee will still consider whether you can be successful in our RN-BSN to MSN or RN to MSN degree programs.
Chamberlain might be the right fit for you.
Admissions
Accelerated RN-MSN / RN-MSN with Clinical Nurse Leadership Option
- A nursing diploma or a degree in nursing at the associate's level or higher from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education*
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for prior undergraduate nursing degree
- Current, active, unrestricted RN license, issued in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN and valid for the state in which you plan to complete your practicum.
RN-BSN to MSN
- A nursing diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education*
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Current, active, unrestricted RN license, issued in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the NCSBN and valid for the state in which you plan to complete your practicum.
Chamberlain is committed to preparing graduates for professional nursing practice. To achieve this goal, students in the RN to BSN option must maintain a current, active license to practice nursing in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). All students must maintain licensure throughout the program of study. Failure to do so will result in a dismissal from the College.
Applicants who meet all general admission requirements to the MSN degree program’s accelerated options, but who have a CGPA for the post-secondary nursing degree between 2.5 to 2.99, may be granted provisional acceptance and placed on academic warning. See the Academic Warning sections for additional information.
* Chamberlain reserves the right to admit candidates with equivalent educational qualifications, from institutions outside the U.S. that are not recognized by the Department of Education or CHEA, as determined by an independent transcript evaluation.
** For the 129 curriculum, minimum of 26 credit hours of coursework must be taken at Chamberlain, excluding NR-361 and NR-451.
*** Admission to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care nurse Practitioner track requires 1 year of RN experience at the time the application is submitted.
Financial Assistance Options
We offer many ways to make education accessible
Chamberlain partners with healthcare institutions, community colleges and associations to provide accessible educational opportunities for registered nurses.
Accreditation
Accreditation, State Authorizations & Approvals
Chamberlain has university accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as well as baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).† Chamberlain continuously earns new approvals from respected agencies across the nation.
Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.
Practicum option availability varies by state/location. Chamberlain reserves the right to update information as it becomes available. For a complete list, check out our authorizations or view our approvals in your state.
Required RN to MSN Nursing Courses
Looking for something else?
Explore our related programs.