Are you a Registered Nurse considering the pursuit of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in Indiana? The Hoosier State has no shortage of colleges and universities with graduate nursing programs. For your convenience we have assembled the list of Indiana colleges and universities that offer nationally accredited MSN programs below.
Anderson UniversitySchool of Nursing
Anderson University’s School of Nursing offers two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. As a Registered Nurse (RN), students can pursue their MSN degree via Anderson’s RN to MSN pathway or their traditional MSN pathway.
RNs without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree who do hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a non-nursing discipline can enter the graduate program via the RN to MSN pathway. Each student’s work experience and education will be evaluated on an individual basis and a custom curriculum plan will be created. Students must complete a series of bridge courses as part of the curriculum.
MSN programs are offered in the following areas of specialization:
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Administration
- Nursing Education
They also offer an MSN/MBA dual degree program.
Applicants entering via the RN to MSN pathway must have earned a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline from an accredited college or university and have at least 25 credit hours of upper division coursework. A 2.75 grade point average (GPA) is preferred, but individuals with lower GPAs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students must hold a current Indiana license to practice as a Registered Nurse or be eligible for licensure. One year of clinical practice experience is preferred, with two years of experience required for those entering the MSN/MBA dual degree program.
Those entering via the traditional MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally (NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE) nursing program with at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA. Those with lower GPAs may be considered on an individual basis. Candidates must be licensed as an RN in Indiana or be eligible for licensure. They must also hold a current CPR certification from the American Heart Association. one year of work experience is preferred.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1100 East Fifth Street
Anderson, IN 46012
(800) 428-6414
Ball State University School of Nursing
Two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are offered by the School of Nursing at Ball State University. They offer an RN to MSN pathway as well as a BSN to MSN pathway.
The RN to MSN pathway is designed for Registered Nurses who hold a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Nurses in the program take 16 credit hours of upper division nursing bridge courses before progressing into the MSN curriculum.
Regardless of pathway, all courses are offered entirely online and can be pursued through part-time enrollment. Clinical practice experiences are arranged in the students’ communities with a preceptor to supervise the experience.
MSN programs are offered in the following roles/areas of specialty:
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Administrator
Those seeking entry via the RN to MSN pathway must hold a diploma or Associate’s degree in Nursing as well as a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline. They must be licensed as an RN in the state where clinical experiences will occur.
Those entering vial the BSN to MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program with a 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale. They must have completed an undergraduate course in Nursing Research with a grade of “C” or better. Students must hold an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in the state where clinical practice experiences will be performed.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
2111 West Riverside Avenue
Cooper Nursing Building, Room 418
Muncie, IN 47306
(765) 285-5571
Bethel CollegeSchool of Nursing
Bethel College’s School of Nursing offers two Master of Science in Nursing degree programs. They offer programs to prepare Registered Nurses as either Nurse Educators or Nurse Administrators.
The programs utilize a seven week format with classes being held one night per week. Most courses are taught using a hybrid format – on campus meetings four of the seven nights with the remaining three sessions meeting online.
Those seeking entry into the MSN program at Bethel should hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program with a GPA of at least 3.0. They must hold a current license to practice as an RN with three years of experience.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
1001 Bethel Circle
Mishawaka, IN 46545
(574) 807-7000
Goshen College Department of Nursing
The Department of Nursing at Goshen College offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree. The program prepares students as Family Nurse Practitioners. The program requires 48 credit hours of coursework and 642 clinical practice hours.
Those applying to the program should hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited program. They should have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale for the last degree earned. Students should have completed a Statistics course. Candidates must hold an active license as an RN with one year of clinical nursing experience.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1700 South Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526
(574) 535-7370
Indiana University South Bend School of Nursing
The School of Nursing at Indiana University South Bend offers an MSN program preparing students for a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program requires 42 credit hours. It can be completed on a part-time basis.
Those seeking entry into the MSN program should hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required. Students must have successfully completed a course in Statistics with a grade of “B-” or better. Applicants should hold a current unencumbered Indiana license as an RN with two years of full-time clinical practice experience.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1700 Mishawaka Avenue, Northside Hall 460
PO Box 7111
South Bend, IN 46634
(574) 520-4242
Indiana University – Purdue University Fort WayneDepartment of Nursing
The Department of Nursing at Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree. The degree is offered through the Purdue Graduate Nursing Consortium .
MSN programs are offered in four areas of specialization. Specialties available include the following:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Executive
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program. Candidates must have completed undergraduate courses in Statistics and Nursing Research. Their undergraduate GPA must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students must be licensed as a Registered Nurse and be eligible for licensure in Indiana.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
2101 East Coliseum Boulevard
Kettler Hall, Room 145
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
(260) 481-6816
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis School of Nursing
Two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are available through the School of Nursing at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis. They offer both an RN to MSN pathway and a BSN to MSN pathway.
The RN to MSN pathway is designed for RNs whose highest academic nursing credential is a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing. Students complete undergraduate general education requirements and a series of bridge course before progressing into their MSN track. A BSN degree in not awarded.
MSN degree programs are offered in the following roles/areas of specialization:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Psychiatric-Mental health Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Leadership in Health Systems
Those seeking entry via the RN to MSN pathway must hold a license as a Registered Nurse in Indiana as well as a nursing diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing.
Those seeking entry via the BSN to MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They must have completed a course in Statistics. Students must hold a current, active, unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Indiana.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
1111 Middle Drive, NU132
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-2806
Indiana Wesleyan University School of Nursing
Indiana Wesleyan University’s School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree in the following roles and specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Administration
A dual MSN/MBA degree option is also available.
An RN to MSN pathway is available to diploma or Associate’s prepared Registered Nurses who hold a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline as well as 10 years of experience in nursing practice. They must hold a 3.0 GPA at the institution where the Bachelor’s was earned.
Others entering the program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited program with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 at the Bachelor’s degree granting college or university where at least 30 credit hours were completed. Students must hold an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse and have at least one year of practice experience.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
4201 South Washington Street
Marion, IN 46953
(888) 876-6498
Purdue University School of Nursing
Purdue University’s School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree in two specializations. The specializations include Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner.
Admission into one of the above MSN programs requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited program with an undergraduate nursing cumulative GPA of 3.0. Those with lower GPAs may be considered for conditional admission status. Candidates are required to have completed a course in Statistics. Students are required to submit acceptable GRE score taken within the last five years. They must hold current licensure as a Registered Nurse in Indiana.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
502 North University Street
Johnson Hall, Room 226E
West Lafayette, IN 47907
(765) 494-4004
University of Indianapolis School of Nursing
The School of Nursing at the University of Indianapolis offers two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer a Direct Entry pathway and a traditional BSN to MSN pathway.
The Direct Entry program is called their Accelerated MSN Program or AMP. It is designed for those who already hold a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field who see a career in nursing. This full-time program can be completed in about three years and leads to a BSN and an MSN with a specialization in Nursing & Health Systems Administration.
For those entering via the BSN to MSN pathway, programs are offered in the following roles/specializations:
- Adult-Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Nursing Education
- Nursing & Health Systems Leadership
Applicants to the Accelerated MSN program must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Those whose undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 can still gain entry by earning a 3.0 or higher in up to 12 credit hours of prerequisite work.
Applicants entering via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally (NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE) accredited nursing program with a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students must have completed courses in Statistics and Nursing Research. They must hold a valid license as a Registered Nurse. Those entering a Nurse Practitioner or Nurse-Midwife program must hold a valid Indian RN license prior to clinical courses.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1400 East Hanna Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46227
(317) 788-3206
University of Saint Francis Department of Nursing
Multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are available through the Department of Nursing at the University of Saint Francis. Both an RN to MSN pathway and BSN to MSN pathway are offered.
The RN to MSN program is designed for Associate’s prepared Registered Nurses. Those entering the program must first be accepted into the graduate nursing program. Once accepted, they will complete a series of bridge or transitional courses. Once the transitional courses are completed, student progress into their MSN coursework.
The BSN to MSN pathway prepares RNs as Family Nurse Practitioners. The program requires 39-45 semester hours and 645 clinical hours. Course are offered in a hybrid format with classes held on campus each Tuesday and the remaining coursework being completed online.
Those entering the RN to MSN program must hold an Associate’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. with an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those with lower GPAs can be admitted provisionally but will be required to earn a 3.2 GPA in their first six hours of graduate nursing courses before being fully admitted to the program. Applicants must hold a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Those entering via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nursing with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Those with lower GPAs will be considered for provisional acceptance. Those whose GPAs are lower than 3.0 will be required to submit GRE scores. Students are required to have successfully completed a course in Statistics. Candidates must hold a current license as an RN.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
2701 Spring Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
(260) 399-7700 Ext 8518
University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing & Health Professions
University of Southern Indiana’s College of Nursing & Health Professions offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They have MSN programs which prepare RNs in the following roles/specialty areas:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Management and Leadership
Applicants to the MSN programs at Southern Indiana must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited institution. They must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative undergraduate GPA on a scale of 4.0. Candidates must have completed an undergraduate course in Statistics with a grade of “C” or better. They must be licensed as an RN. At least one year of full-time clinical practice as an RN within the last five years is recommended but not required.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
8600 University Boulevard
Evansville, IN 47712
(812) 465-1173
Valparaiso University College of Nursing
The College of Nursing at Valparaiso University offers multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer both an RN to MSN pathway and BSN to MSN pathway.
The RN to MSN program is an accelerated program allowing students to earn both a BSN and MSN degree in under three years. Transfer credits and credit by examination can be applied toward the degrees.
The BSN to MSN program prepares Registered Nurses to as Nurse Educators. The program is 30 credit hours in length. The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. The program can be completed in three semesters as a full-time student and six semesters as a part-time student.
Applicants to the RN to MSN program must hold a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing with at least a 3.0 GPA in all previous college coursework. They must hold a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Indiana. Before applying, applicants should complete all general education courses required for a BSN at Valparaiso.
Those entering the program via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a 3.0 GPA in previous college coursework. They must have completed courses in Statistics and Nursing Research. Candidates must be licensed as an RN in Indiana.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
836 Laporte Avenue
LeBien Hall 103
Valparaiso, IN 46383
(219) 464-5289