The Show Me State offers Registered Nurses a variety of options when it comes to pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). There are several colleges and universities in Missouri offering this nursing degree which can lead to advanced nursing certifications. As a service to our readers we have compiled a list of schools in Missouri offering MSN programs which are nationally accredited.
Central Methodist UniversityDivision of Health Professions
Central Methodist University’s Division of Health Professions offers multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. They offer a traditional MSN pathway for Registered Nurses (RNs) who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. They also offer an RN to MSN pathway for diploma and Associate’s prepared nurses with a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The MSN program prepares graduate students as Clinical Nurse Leaders.
Those seeking admission to the MSN program should hold a BSN degree from a nationally accredited institution. Diploma or Associate’s prepared RNs with a non-nursing Bachelor’s from a nationally accredited institution who can show proof of relevant nursing experience are also considered for admission. All candidates must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA in their Bachelor’s program and have completed an undergraduate Statistics course with grade of “C” or better. They must hold a current RN license in Missouri.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
411 Central Methodist Square
Fayette, MO 65248
(660) 248-6363
Cox College Department of Nursing
Cox College’s Department of Nursing offers two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree: a tradition MSN pathway for BSN prepared nurses and an RN to MSN pathway for diploma or Associate’s prepared nurses.
The RN to MSN pathway accelerates the time required to earn both a BSN and MSN degree by allowing students to take nine hours of graduate courses as part of the BSN curriculum that count towards both degrees.
MSN programs are offered in three areas of specialization including:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Nurse Educator
Those seeking admission to the RN to MSN program must hold a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing. They must hold a current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse as well as a BLS certification. They must also gain admission to the RN to BSN program.
Those entering the MSN program via the traditional pathway must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a current unencumbered license to practice as an RN.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
1423 North Jefferson Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 269-3401
Barnes-Jewish CollegeGoldfarb School of Nursing
The Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College offers Master of Science in Nursing programs in a variety of specializations including the following:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Executive
Those seeking admission to an MSN program should hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a regionally accredited institution. They must hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all undergraduate and graduate coursework. Candidates should be licensed as a Registered Nurse. Additional requirements exist for those entering the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Anesthesia programs.
Those seeking admission to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program are required to have two years of recent experience in an ICU setting.
Those seeking admission to the Nurse Anesthesia program must have at least one year of RN experience in an ICU setting. Nurse Anesthesia applicants must also have completed several undergraduate prerequisite courses: Physics, Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Health Assessment, and Statistics.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
4483 Duncan Avenue
Mailstop 90-36-697
St. Louis, MO 63110
(816) 833-7055
Maryville University of St. Louis Department of Nursing
A Master of Science in Nursing degree is offered through the Department of Nursing at Maryville University of St. Louis. MSN programs are offered in two specialization areas:
- Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
The programs are offered on both a full-time and part-time enrollment basis. They are available online as well.
Applicants to the MSN program must hold a BSN from a nationally accredited program with a cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA. Students must hold a current unencumbered license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Missouri.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
650 Maryville University Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 529-9453
Missouri Southern State University Nursing Department
Missouri Southern State University’s Department of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree through a partnership with University of Missouri – Kansas City. The program prepares RNs in Advanced Practice Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
Admission to the MSN program requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program or a program comparable to the BSN program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Students must have achieved at least a 3.2 GPA for the last 60 hours of their BSN coursework. Candidates must also have completed an upper division Statistics course with a grade of “B” or higher prior to taking Nursing Research: Evidence Based Practice. Students must hold a current license as an RN in Missouri, and if different, the state in which the student will complete their clinical requirements. They must hold current BCLS certification.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
3950 East Newman Road
Health Sciences Building, Room 243
Joplin, MO 64801
(417) 625-9322
Missouri State University Department of Nursing
Multiple pathways are offered by Missouri State University’s Department of Nursing to a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a specialization as a Nurse Educator. They offer a traditional BSN to MSN pathway as well as an accelerated RN to MSN pathway.
Students entering the RN to MSN program must first apply to the BSN completion (RN to BSN) program. Once they begin taking courses for the BSN completion program, they can apply to the RN to MSN program. Upon completion of the BSN requirements, students in the Nurse Educator RN to MSN program are awarded a BSN and granted full admission to the Graduate College, assuming they still meet all requirements.
Applicants to the RN to MSN program should be previously admitted to RN to BSN program and at least a Junior. They must have an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher. Candidates must hold licensure as a Registered Nurse and be eligible for licensure in Missouri. They must also hold a current American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers certification. In order to progress to the MSN program, those previously admitted to the RN to MSN program must maintain an overall GPA of 3.25 or higher and have earned a grade of “B” or higher in all undergraduate nursing courses and graduate courses attempted.
Applicants entering via the traditional MSN program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally (NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE) accredited nursing program. Those RNs with a non-accredited BSN, a BSN equivalent from another country, or a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field will be considered on an individual basis. They must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework attempted. If the student’s GPA is less than 3.0 then GRE scores are required. They must also have successfully completed undergraduate courses in Statistics, Nursing Research, and Health Assessment with a grade of “C” or higher. Candidates must hold a license as an RN in good standing, and be eligible for licensure in Missouri.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
901 South National Avenue
Professional Building, Suite 300
Springfield, MO 65897
(417) 836-5310
Research College of Nursing
Research College of Nursing offers multiple pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree. They offer both a traditional MSN pathway and an RN to MSN pathway.
The RN to MSN program is designed for Associate’s and diploma prepared Registered Nurses. Under the program, transfer courses are allowed to meet prerequisite course requirements and some upper division nursing coursework requirements.
Those entering via the RN to MSN pathway can choose from the following specializations:
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Nurse Educator
- Executive Practice and Healthcare Leadership
Those entering via the traditional BSN to MSN pathway can choose from the above three specializations as well as the following two specializations:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Those seeking admission to the RN to MSN program must hold a diploma or Associate’s degree in nursing. They must have a license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
Those seeking admission to the traditional MSN program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Candidates must be licensed as an RN.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
2525 East Meyer Boulevard, Room 100
Kansas City, MO 64132
(816) 995-2800
Saint Louis University School of Nursing
Saint Louis University’s School of Nursing offers two pathways to a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Their MSN programs include both an Accelerated Direct Entry pathway and a traditional BSN to MSN pathway.
The Accelerated Direct Entry pathway is called the Accelerated Generalist Masters of Science in Nursing or AGMSN program. The program is designed for the individual who is not a Registered Nurse, has a desire to become nurse, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. Graduates of the program are prepared to site for the nursing licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) as well as for national certification as a Clinical Nurse Leader.
Those entering via the traditional MSN pathway are offered MSN programs in a variety of roles and specializations:
- Adult/Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Applicants to the Accelerated Generalist MSN program are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree from a nationally accredited institution with an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must have completed the following prerequisite courses, preferably within the last five years: Microbiology, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Inferential Statistics.
Applicants entering via the traditional BSN to MSN pathway are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited nursing program. They should have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. Students should hold a current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in the state where clinical practice will be performed. They must also have a current American Red Cross CPR certification after acceptance into the program.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
3525 Caroline Mall
Saint Louis, MO 63104
(314) 977-8995
Southeast Missouri State University Department of Nursing
Southeast Missouri State University’s Department of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with two specialization choices:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
Those seeking admission into the MSN program must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally (NLNAC/ACEN or CCNE) accredited program with at least a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students must have completed a Statistics course with a grade of “B” or higher. They must also have completed a Health Assessment course with a grade of “B” or higher (or have demonstrated proficiency). Candidates must hold a current license as a Registered Nurse in Missouri as well as a CPR certification.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
One University Plaza, MS 8100
Crisp Hall 221
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
(573) 651-2585
University of Central Missouri Department of Nursing
The Department of Nursing at the University of Central Missouri offers a Master of Science in Rural Family Nursing with two possible specializations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
Those seeking acceptance into the program should hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited program. Their undergraduate GPA must be 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Candidates must have an active license as a Registered Nurse with at least one year of post-baccalaureate nursing experience for Family Nurse Practitioner students which may be completed prior to graduate clinical courses.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
600 South College Street
UHC 106A
Warrensburg, MO 64093
(660) 543-4775
University of Missouri – Columbia Sinclair School of Nursing
The Sinclair School of Nursing at University of Missouri – Columbia offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree to BSN prepared RNs. Students entering the program can choose from two specializations including:
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Leader
Those seeking admission to the MSN program must hold a BSN degree from a Nationally accredited program with a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. Students must have successfully completed a graduate level course in Statistics. All candidates must hold a current license as an RN.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
S235 School of Nursing Building
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-0277
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Nursing & Health Studies
The School of Nursing & Health Studies at University of Missouri – Kansas City offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree program with three specialization options from which to choose:
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
Applicants should hold a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 for the last 60 credit hours of the BSN program. Students must have a current unencumbered license as an RN in Missouri or the state in which the student plans to complete their clinical requirements. Candidates must have taken courses in Statistics and Health Assessment with grades of “B-” or higher.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
2464 Charlotte Street
2330 Health Sciences Building
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 235-1700
University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Nursing
The College of Nursing at the University of Missouri St. Louis offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree with several specializations from which students can choose. The specialty areas include the following:
- Adult-Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator
Those seeking admission to the MSN program should hold a BSN or MSN from a nationally accredited nursing program. Their cumulative undergraduate GPA should be at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They should have completed courses in Statistics and Health Assessment. Students should hold current licensure as a Registered Nurse with eligibility for Missouri licensure. It is preferred that candidates have two years of clinical experience prior to starting graduate clinical courses.
Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education
One University Boulevard, 150 NAB
St. Louis, MO 63121
(314) 516-6066
Webster UniversityDepartment of Nursing
The Master of Science in Nursing degree offered by Webster University’s Department of Nursing is designed as a part-time program for working nurses. Students can select from two areas of specialization:
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Leader
The Nurse Educator program requires 42 credits. The Nurse Leader program requires 36 credits.
Applicants are required to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with at least a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale. They must have completed an undergraduate course in Statistics with a grade of “C” or better. Students must hold a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse within the U.S. and be eligible for licensure in Missouri. Candidates must have at least a year of clinical experience in nursing.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (Formerly NLNAC)
470 East Lockwood Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 246-7483