The “Bluegrass State” of Kentucky offers many options for nurses who are interested in earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. The degree can lead to numerous advanced nursing certifications as well as being a stepping stone toward other terminal doctorate level degrees in nursing such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice or PhD in Nursing degree. If you are looking for a college or university in Kentucky that offers nationally accredited MSN programs, we have provided a complete list of them below.
Bellarmine UniversityLansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Bellarmine University’s Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs in the following roles/specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Administration
An MSN/MBA dual degree program is also available.
Applicants to the program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for candidates whose GPA is less than 3.28. They must hold an active unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Kentucky or one of the compact states.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
2001 Newburg Road
Miles Hall
Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 452-8215
Eastern Kentucky University Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing
Eastern Kentucky University’s Department of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing offers multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer an RN to BSN to MSN pathway as well as a traditional MSN program.
MSN programs are offered in the following roles/specialties:
- Rural Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner
- Advanced Rural Public Health Nursing Administration
- Advanced Rural Public Health Nursing Education
Those entering via the RN to BSN to MSN pathway must hold a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing. They must submit GRE or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores during their last year of the BSN completion program. They must hold a current unrestricted RN license in Kentucky or one of its recognized compact states.
Those entering via the BSN to MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program. They must have a 2.75 or higher undergraduate GPA (cumulative or in the last 60 hours). Those with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher as well as those who have a 3.25 or higher GPA in their last 60 hours of undergraduate work are exempt from being required to submit GRE scores. Students must have completed a course in Statistics with a grade of “C” or better. They must hold a current unrestricted license as an RN in an approved state.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
521 Lancaster Avenue
Rowlett Building, Room 223
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 622-1941
Frontier Nursing University
Frontier Nursing University offers students two pathways to earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer an ADN to MSN+DNP Bridge pathway as well as an MSN+DNP pathway. Both pathways are designed to allow students to complete a Master of Science in Nursing degree and, if they choose, opt into continuing on to get their Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
The ADN to MSN+DNP Bridge pathway is designed for Registered Nurses who hold an Associate’s in nursing. Students can directly enter the MSN program without ever earning a Bachelor’s degree once they have completed a series of bridge courses in four terms (12 months).
MSN programs are offered in the following roles/specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwife
Those entering via the ADN to MSN+DNP pathway are required to hold an Associate’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from their most recent degree. Candidates are required to have a current, active, unencumbered license in the U.S. to practice as a Registered Nurse. One year of clinical nursing experience is preferred.
Those entering via the MSN+DNP pathway are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. They must hold current, active, unencumbered licensure as an RN within the U.S. One year of nursing experience is preferred.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
195 School Street
Hyden, KY 41749
(606) 672-2312
Murray State University Department of Nursing
Murray State University’s Department of Nursing offers Master of Science in Nursing programs to prepare RNs for two roles/specialty areas:
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Academic Nurse Educator
Nurse Practitioner programs at Murray State have already transitioned over to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The Nurse Anesthesia program will also be transitioned to the DNP program.
Applicants should hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They should be licensed RNs with at least one year (2,000 hours) of experience as an RN prior to application. Students should submit GRE scores. Those pursuing the Nurse Anesthesia specialization should have one year of experience in a critical care/intensive care setting.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
120 Mason Hall
PO Box 9
Murray, KY 42071
(270) 809-2193
Northern Kentucky UniversityDepartment of Advanced Nursing Studies
A Master of Science in Nursing is offered by Northern Kentucky University’s Department of Advanced Nursing Studies. The program requires between 38 and 49 credit hours to complete depending on the specialization selected. Students are expected to attend courses year round. All of the courses and degree programs are available online.
MSN programs in the following roles and specializations are offered:
- Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Education
- Nurse Executive Leadership
Those seeking entry into the MSN program are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from a nationally (NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE) accredited nursing program. They must have completed an undergraduate course in Statistics. Candidates must have a current, valid license as an RN in the state of practice as well as at least 1000 hours of clinical practice experience as a Registered Nurse.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
Nunn Drive
Highland Height, KY 41099
(859) 572-5100
Spalding University School of Nursing
Multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree are available through the School of Nursing at Spalding University. They offer both an RN to MSN Bridge pathway and a traditional MSN pathway. Both pathways prepare graduates for a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Those entering via the RN to MSN Bridge pathway are required to hold a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing (preferably from a nationally accredited program) as well as a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a field other than nursing. GPAs of 3.0 or higher are preferred, but lower GPAs will be considered. Students must submit official GRE scores. They must hold a current unencumbered license to practice as an RN in either Kentucky or Indiana. Students are required to complete additional nursing bridge coursework and portfolio requirements prior to being granted unconditional admission status.
Those entering via the traditional BSN to MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Those with lower GPAs will be considered on an individual basis. Students must submit GRE scores. Candidates must hold a current unencumbered RN license in Kentucky or Indiana.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
845 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 573-7111
University of Kentucky College of Nursing
University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing has transitioned their Master of Science in Nursing program over to their BSN to DNP program.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
760 Rose Street
315 CON/HSLC Building
Lexington, KY 40536
(859) 323-5108
University of Louisville School of Nursing
University of Louisville’s School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree in six different roles/specializations:
- Adult Gerontology Acute Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Gerontology Primary Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Health Professions Education (Nurse Educator)
Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited program with a cumulate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. GRE scores are required Students must hold a current and valid unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Kentucky or be eligible for that licensure.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
555 South Floyd Street
Suite 4026
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 852-8300
Western Kentucky University School of Nursing
Multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing are offered through the School of Nursing at Western Kentucky University. They offer an RN to MSN Bridge pathway as well as a traditional MSN pathway.
The RN to MSN pathway allows Associate’s prepared Registered Nurses with a Bachelor’s degree in a related field to enter the MSN program. They must complete the following two undergraduate prerequisite bridge courses before progressing into the MSN coursework: Professional Issues for the RN and Public Health Nursing Theory. Students entering the RN to MSN program can choose from the Nurse Educator or Nurse Administrator specialty area.
Traditional MSN students can choose from the following specializations:
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Administrator
The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program is offered in cooperation with the University of Louisville.
Applicants to the RN to MSN program are required to hold an Associate’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program as well as a Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution. Students must submit GRE scores unless they have a 3.0 or higher undergraduate GPA. They must hold an unencumbered license or have applied for a license as an RN in Kentucky or other compact state.
Those entering via the traditional MSN pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE accredited program with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must hold or have applied for an RN license in Kentucky or one of the compact states. Candidates must have at least one year of full-time nursing experience prior to enrolling in clinical course if choosing a Nurse Practitioner specialization.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1906 College Heights Boulevard
#11036 – Academic Complex 111
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 745-4392