The Constitution State of Connecticut offers to nurses several options when seeking advanced nursing degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Regardless of whether you plan to stop at the Master’s level or go on to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice or PhD in Nursing, earning an MSN is the logical next step for most ADN or BSN prepared Registered Nurses. Below you will find a list colleges and universities in Connecticut offering nationally accredited MSN programs.
Fairfield University School of Nursing
Fairfield University’s School of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs in several specializations including the following:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Leadership
Applicants to the MSN program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. All candidates must have a license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the state of Connecticut.
Associate’s and diploma prepared RNs who hold a Bachelor’s in a non-nursing field of study will be considered on an individual basis (RN to MSN) and may be required to complete prerequisite and/or bridge courses in order to be fully admitted to the MSN program.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203) 254-4150
Quinnipiac UniversitySchool of Nursing
The School of Nursing at Quinnipiac University offers Master of Science in Nursing degree programs in the following roles/specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Applicants must hold a BSN degree (traditional MSN pathway) or a Bachelor’s degree in another field (RN to MSN). Applicants must hold a license as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut or be NCLEX eligible. They must hold a 3.0 or higher undergraduate cumulative GPA.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
275 Mount Carmel Avenue
N1-HSC
Hamden, CT 06518
(203) 582-8200
Sacred Heart University Department of Nursing
Multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are offered by the Department of Nursing at Sacred Heart University. They offer an RN to MSN pathway and a traditional MSN pathway. All programs are available in an online format.
The RN to BSN to MSN program is designed for diploma and Associate’s prepared RNS who seek a graduate degree in nursing. It allows students to accelerate earning both their BSN and MSN degrees as students are allowed to take 3-4 graduate nursing courses that apply to both their BSN and MSN degrees.
MSN programs are offered in the following roles/specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner (not available to RN to MSN students)
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Patient Care Services Administration
- Nursing Education
Applicants to the RN to BSN to MSN program must hold a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing. Those entering via the traditional MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. All applicants must be licensed as a Registered Nurse.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
5151 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825
(203) 371-7844
Southern Connecticut State University Department of Nursing
Southern Connecticut State University’s Department of Nursing offers two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree: an RN to MSN Bridge pathway and a traditional MSN pathway.
The “Bridge Program” (their RN to MSN pathway) is designed for RNs with a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing who also hold a Bachelor’s degree in a non nursing field. Students combine traditional courses and other online offerings to prepare for NLN Challenge Exams which if passed will be substituted for BSN equivalent coursework. Exams are taken in four areas: Adult Health, Chidbearing, Childrearing, and Mental Health. Those who fail to pass the Challenge Exams can elect to enter the RN to BSN program and earn their BSN prior to applying to the MSN program.
MSN programs are offered in three areas of specialty including:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Nurse Educator
Applicants to the RN to MSN Bridge program must be diploma or Associate’s prepared Registered Nurses who also hold a Bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing. They must have completed courses in Statistics, Nursing Research, and Health Assessment with a grade of “C” or better. Students must hold a current Connecticut license as a Registered Nurse.
Applicants entering via the traditional MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They must be licensed as an RN in Connecticut.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515
(203) 392-6486
University of Connecticut School of Nursing
Multiple pathways are offered by the School of Nursing at the University of Connecticut leading to a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer an RN to MSN pathway for diploma or Associate’s prepared Registered Nurses. They also offer a traditional BSN to MSN pathway.
Those RNs entering via the RN to MSN pathway are required to complete three groups of coursework: general education requirements, School of Nursing requirements, and RN to MSN bridge course requirements. All coursework in the first two groups must be completed prior to starting the RN to MSN coursework. Students are guaranteed to be awarded at least 30 credits for prior diploma or Associate’s work. Nurses in this program are awarded both BSN and MSN degrees.
Several specialty tracks are offered at the University of Connecticut. They offer programs that prepare RNs for the following roles/specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Leader
Applicants to the RN to MSN program must have graduated from an Associate’s or diploma program in nursing and hold a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut..
Those seeking entry via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They must have completed courses in Statistics, Nursing Research, and Health Assessment. Students must be licensed as a Registered Nurse. At least one year of experience as a practicing RN is recommended.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
231 Glenbrook Road
Unit 4026
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-3716
University of Hartford Department of Health Sciences and Nursing
The Department of Health Sciences and Nursing at University of Hartford offers Master of Science in Nursing programs in three specialty areas. They include:
- Public Health Nursing
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Management
Applicants to the MSN programs are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nursing program accredited by the NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE. Students are required to have a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA or to have earned 6 graduate level credits with a 3.3 or higher GPA. They must hold current licensure or eligibility for licensure as an RN in Connecticut. Candidates should have at least one year of full-time clinical practice experience.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
200 Bloomfield Avenue
A228
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 768-4213
University of Saint Joseph Division of Nursing
The University of Saint Joseph’s Division of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing degree programs in the following roles and specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must hold a license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1678 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117
(860) 231-4571
Western Connecticut State University Department of Nursing
Students entering the Master of Science in Nursing program offered by Western Connecticut State University’s Department of Nursing can choose from two roles/specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
Those seeking admission to the MSN program are required to have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a program accredited by the NLNAC/ACEN or CCEN. Those with an undergraduate GPA lower than a 3.0 must submit satisfactory scores on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Candidates must hold a current license as a Registered Nurse.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
(203) 837-8566
Yale University School of Nursing
Yale University’s School of Nursing offers multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing. They offer a Direct Entry pathway for non-nurses seeking to enter the nursing field as well as a traditional MSN pathway for current RNs.
The Direct Entry program at Yale is called the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing (GEPN) program. It requires three years of full-time enrollment. The first year of study prepares students to take the National Council Licensing Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Students spend the remaining two years of study completing the MSN requirements within their chosen specialty.
Students can choose from the following roles and specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Management, Policy, and Leadership
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Applicants entering the GEPN Direct Entry program are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a non-nursing field. Students must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
Applicants seeking entry via the traditional MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and graduate from a school of nursing. They must be licensed as a Registered Nurse in a at least one state in the U.S. Acceptable scores on the GRE must be submitted. It is recommend (not required) that students have completed courses in Statistics and Nursing Research. One year of work experience as a Registered Nurse is also highly recommended.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
100 Church Street South
PO Box 9740
New Haven, CT 06536
(203) 785-2393