RN to MSN Program
Tell Me More About HCU’s Online MSN Programs
Online RN to MSN Program at a Glance
60 Credit Hours
Taken 100% Online
2 Specializations
in Nurse Leadership and Nurse Education
3 Years
to Complete While Working Full Time
$19,500
Tuition
Take the fast path to career advancement at Houston Christian University. Offered through the School of Nursing and Allied Health, HCU’s accelerated RN to MSN online program is designed for ADN prepared nurses who want to earn both their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. Students can choose between two MSN degree tracks: Nurse Leadership or Nurse Education.
Enrolling in HCU’s 100% online RN to MSN program saves you time and money by letting you take six fewer credits than you would if you earned your degrees separately. You will advance straight into your MSN courses when you finish your BSN, enabling you to complete the program in as little as three years while working full time.
Unlike other institutions, HCU combines Christian values with progressive healthcare practices, generating uniquely skilled nurse educators and nurse leaders. HCU’s RN to MSN graduates are prepared to make a lasting impact on the next generation of nurses.
Tight-Knit Community
At HCU, small class sizes foster connections with your professors and peers that extend beyond the walls of the classroom.
Personalized Support
We’ll match you with a success coach who will assist you with registration, organization, and academic guidance.
Mission-Driven
Our Christian values make up the heart of our institution. The RN to MSN curriculum reflects our focus on community-based care with opportunities for service-based learning.
Affordable
Make the most of annual tuition reimbursement from employers to complete the program affordably.
Career Outlook
HCU partners with numerous healthcare organizations, including the Texas Medical Center, to connect students with leading healthcare experts and top facilities so they can hone their clinical skills.
70%
The percentage of employers that strongly prefer to hire BSN-prepared nurses over ADN-prepared nurses. – AACN
$94,000
BSN-prepared nurses earn $94,000 a year on average, while nurses with an ADN make roughly $77,000. – Payscale
$104,000
The median salary for nurse educators in Houston. – Glassdoor
$114,000
The median salary for nurse managers in Houston. – Glassdoor
Take the Next Step in Your Career
At HCU, our students come first. We understand that graduate school is a big commitment, so we offer personalized support to every student. We set you up for success as a nurse educator or nurse leader.
- Students will earn their BSN after completing the undergraduate and bridge coursework. This allows them to enhance their resume and become eligible for job promotions before they have even finished the program.
- As students grow closer to finishing their BSN degree, they can select the MSN track that is best for their career goals with guidance from a designated career coach.
- HCU works to match each student with a clinical supervisor within their organization. This mentorship opportunity helps students maximize their networks and create growth opportunities.
Structure
Students first complete the BSN-level curriculum, consisting of advanced nursing courses and foundational general education courses. Before finishing the BSN requirements, students take two 16-week bridge courses for six credits. Students earn their BSN degree after completing the bridge courses.
*Undergraduate credits earned prior to enrolling at HCU may be eligible for transfer.
BSN Level Nursing Courses
7 courses, 24 credit hours
100% online
8-week terms, graduate quickly
BSN Level General Education Courses
46 credit hours, 100% online
At least 30 general education credit hours must be completed with HCU
Once an undergraduate student has enrolled in the program, up to 18 credit hours may be accepted for transfer credit. Students will reach 60 credits from the BSN level, bridge, and MSN courses. All additional general education courses are $475 per credit.
Bridge Courses
2 courses, 6 credit hours
16-week terms, 100% online
MSN Courses
10 courses, 30 credit hours
16-week terms, 100% online
Learning Experience by the Week
[X] Hours
Watching Recorded Lectures
Hear faculty perspectives on course topics.
+
[X] Hours
Completing Assignments
Read assigned chapters, complete interactive video modules, conduct research, and talk to peers in discussion forums.
+
[X] Hours
in Clinical Rotations
Gain hands-on experience at a healthcare facility.
=
[X-X] Hours Total
Hour estimates are subject to change based on course load and clinical rotation.
Online RN to MSN Courses
Industry-Aligned Curriculum Enriched with Christian Values
As a Christian university, HCU recognizes nursing as both an art and a science. Students are provided with a broad-based liberal arts foundation during the BSN level courses that is then built upon in the MSN courses. The holistic curriculum, taught by Christian faculty, prepares students to launch a successful career in nurse education or nurse leadership.
(Transfer Credits Determine Actual Courses Required)
For additional detail on course descriptions, please view our Course Catalog.
- Composition and Literature I (ENGL 1313)
- Composition and Literature II (ENGLE 1323)
- Great Works of Literature I or II (ENGL 2315 or 2325)
- General Psychology (PSYCH 1313)
- Introduction to Philosophy (PHIL 1313)
- Introduction to Chemistry (CHEM 1404)
- Introduction to the Bible and Theology (CHRI 3300)
- Math for Critical Thinking or higher (MATH 1305)
- American and Texas Government (GOVT 2313)
- Western Civilization I (HIST 2311)
- Choose 1 from HIST 2312, 2313, or 2323
- Art Appreciation (ART 2343) or Music Appreciation (1331)
- Rhetoric and Public Speaking (COMM 1323)
- Elective Courses (2)
For additional detail on course descriptions, please view our Course Catalog.
- Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
- Pathophysiology
- Pharmacology
- Health Assessment/Clinical
- Informatics & Evidence Based Practice
- Community Population Health/Clinical
- Nursing Leadership/Clinical
For additional detail on course descriptions, please view our Course Catalog.
- Theory Integration
- Research Integration
For additional detail on course descriptions, please view our Course Catalog.
Nurse Education Courses
- Leadership for Quality, Safety, & Health Policy
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Advanced Pharmacology
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Curriculum Development
- Effective Teaching Strategies
- Evaluation of Learning
- Advanced Healthcare Informatics
- Role of the Educator
- Nurse Educator Residency
Nurse Leadership Courses
- Theory Integration
- Advanced Nursing Research
- Leadership for Quality, Safety and Health Policy
- Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
- Leadership Roles & Operations
- Healthcare Finance
- Healthcare Operations – Immersion and Clinical
- Advanced Health Assessment & Leadership for Population Health
- Organizational Theory & Culture & Clinical
- Advanced Healthcare Informatics
- Nurse Leader Residency
What Our Students And Faculty Are Saying
Admissions
Applicants must be graduates of an accredited Associate Degree in Nursing program and hold an unencumbered RN license. They also need at least one year of professional nursing experience.
HCU’s admissions team works closely with each student to help them maximize transfer credits. You can find detailed requirements and a link to an online application on our Admissions page.
Have Questions?
The tuition for the RN to MSN program is $325 per credit, the tuition for the MSN in Nurse Leadership program is $500 per credit, and the tuition for the FNP, PNP and MSN in Nurse Education programs is $515 per credit.
No, there is no deposit required.
Yes, a range of payment plans are available to accommodate students’ personal finance and employer reimbursement needs.
Yes, students also have to pay $100 per semester for the Online Student Fee and $25 for the Malpractice Fee (applied to courses NURS 3316).
You need a valid RN license, but it does not have to be specific to Texas.
All BSN level courses are 8 weeks in length and the bridge and MSN courses are 16 weeks in length.
The RN-MSN program has 6 start dates offered per year: January, March, May, July, August, and October.
You have the ability to move through the program at your own pace, but the program can be completed in as little as 3 years. Students have 5 years to complete the RN-MSN program. The BSN level courses must be completed within 3 years.
You must maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA at the end of each semester to enroll in an upper level nursing course. If your GPA falls below this, you can enroll in general education courses and resume nursing courses as soon as a cumulative GPA of 2.75 has been reached. You must have a 3.0 GPA to continue into MSN level courses.
The BSN level courses are ACEN accredited and the MSN curriculum, which includes the bridge courses, is CCNE accredited.
Nursing courses are asynchronous without live class meetings, meaning you can complete work at your convenience, though you still need to respect weekly due dates. All clinical hours take place in person at an approved facility near you.
Consider your career goals when deciding between the Nurse Education and Nurse Leadership tracks. Nurse educators train and evaluate new nurses at their organization to make sure everyone can uphold high standards. Nurse leaders need to understand operations and finance so they can effectively manage their facility’s nursing staff.
We designed the RN to MSN program for working nurses. You can complete coursework at your convenience. Administrators can also work with your employer to let you complete your clinical hours at your facility. Clinical experiences take place at partner medical facilities close to the student’s home, enabling working nurses to retain their current jobs while earning their degrees.