Iowa has many colleges and universities which offer Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs for nurses seeking to advance their careers by moving into roles as Nurse Educators, Nurse Leaders, or Advanced Practice Nurses. If you are interested in pursuing such a program in the Hawkeye State then consult our list of Iowa schools with nationally accredited MSN programs below.
Allen CollegeSchool of Nursing
Allen College’s School of Nursing offers multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. They accept Associate’s prepared Registered Nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field (RN to MSN pathway) as well as nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (traditional BSN to MSN pathway).
MSN programs are offered in the following roles and specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Leadership in Health Care Delivery (Nursing Administration)
- Nursing Education
- Community/Public Health Nursing
- Community/Public Health Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner
- Community/Public Health Nursing and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Applicants to the program must hold either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited college or university or a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field in conjunction with an Associate’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution. Students must have an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 credit hours of college courses completed. They must have completed undergraduate courses in Statistics, Nursing Research, and Community Health Nursing. Candidates must hold a current license as a Registered Nurse in Iowa or a compact state. They must also hold a current CPR certification. Those entering the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program must hold an ACLS certification and have recent acute care practice experience prior to enrolling in their first clinical course.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
1825 Logan Avenue
Gerard Hall
Waterloo, IA 50703
(319) 226-2044
Briar Cliff University Department of Nursing
Briar Cliff University’s Department of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing program to prepare Registered Nurses as Nurse Educators. The program is delivered online. It requires two years and 45 credit hours to complete.
Applicants to the program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally (NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE) accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students must be licensed as an RN and have at least one year of full-time practice experience as an RN.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
3303 Rebecca Street
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 279-1662
Clarke University Department of Nursing and Health
The Department of Nursing and Health at Clarke University offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with specialization as a Nurse Educator. The program is delivered in a hybrid format. It requires 41 credit hours and can be completed in 24 months of full-time enrollment.
Applicants to the program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited nursing program with a 3.0 or higher GPA. They must have successfully completed undergraduate courses in Statistics, Nursing Research, and Health Assessment with a grade of “C” or better. Students must hold current licensure as a Registered Nurse as well as current CPR or BLS certification.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1550 Clarke Drive, MS 1727
Dubuque, IA 52001
(800) 383-2345
Grand View University Division of Nursing
Grand View University’s Division of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree in the following roles and specializations:
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Nursing Education
Those entering the MSN program must hold a BSN degree from a nursing program accredited by the NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE. They must have at least a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA. Students must submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. They must also have completed an undergraduate course in Statistics. Candidates must hold a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Iowa as well as a current professional level CPR certification.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1200 Grandview Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 263-2859
Mount Mercy University Department of Nursing
Mount Mercy University’s Department of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing degrees in three different roles and specialty areas:
- Health Advocate
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Administrator
The programs are taught on campus in an accelerated format with an evening class schedule. It can be completed in 18 months as a full-time student and as little as 24 months as a part-time student.
Those seeking entry to the MSN program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited nursing program. Students must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Those with lower GPAs may be considered for conditional admission. Students must have completed an undergraduate course in Statistics with a grade of “C” or higher prior to beginning to take MSN courses. Candidates must hold a current and valid Iowa license as a Registered Nurse. They must be currently working at least part-time as an RN and maintain at least part-time employment as an RN throughout the program.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1330 Elmhurst Drive, NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
(319) 363-8213
The University of IowaCollege of Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing program offered by the College of Nursing at The University of Iowa prepares Registered Nurses as Clinical Nurse Leaders. The 39 semester hour program is taught primarily online. Students are only required to be on campus for a total of 1.5 days across two occasions: prior to the first semester for orientation and at the end of the last semester to present their capstone project.
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. Those with lower GPAs may be considered on an individual basis. Students must have completed an upper level course in Statistics within five years of applying. They must hold a current license as an RN in the state in which they reside with approximately two years of clinical work experience.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
50 Newton Road
101 College of Nursing Building
Iowa City, IA 52242
(319) 335-7018