Top Michigan RN-to-MSN Programs

At South University, it is clearly understood that there is an increased need for highly skilled professionals in the health care industry. Thus, MSN Nurse Practitioner graduates become highly knowledgeable specialists. The focus is on critical nursing in particular, with a concentration in Adult Health and Family. It is one of the only schools in the state that offers this particular specialization.

• Campus: Novi, MI
• Type: Private, for profit
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $458 per credit hour
• Minimum time commitment: 2 years
• Online availability: Yes
• Degree requirements: BSN, RN license, GPA 3.0 minimum, transcripts, nursing research course, three letters of reference, goal statement, resume
• Programs: MSN Nurse Practitioner (Adult Health and Family)

At Andrews University, MSN students are instructed on how to become highly skilled nurse educators. This program was developed as a direct response to the increased national need for nurse educators. The school follows the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which are incorporated into their curriculum.

• Campus: Berrien Springs, MI
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $993 per credit
• Minimum time commitment: 38 credits
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: BSN, English Proficiency, RN license, statement of purpose, resume, two letters of recommendation, GRE, transcripts
• Programs: MSN Nursing Education

At Eastern Michigan University, MSN students are educated in the skills required to respond to community needs. The focus is on adult-gerontology nursing and graduates will be educators and leaders in their field. They can seek employment in a variety of settings, including primary care, hospitals, clinics, community agencies and home health agencies. The school also encourages graduates to continue on to their doctoral degree program.

• Campus: Ypsilanti, MI
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $480.75 per credit hour for residents and $947.70 for non residents
• Minimum time commitment: 40 to 49
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: BSN, RN license, TOEFL if applicable, two letters of reference, essay, personal statement, statistics course, health assessment
• Programs: MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner

Ferris State University offers three separate concentrations in its MSN programs. Each of these looks at the complex requirements of the national health care system. It is known that, in Michigan in particular, there is a significant shortage of nurse educators. Hence, the program is designed to create true leaders in this field, in particular with a focus on administration and informatics.

• Campus: Big Rapids, MI
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $522 per online credit hour and $512 per classroom credit hour
• Minimum time commitment: 37 credits
• Online availability: Some
• Degree requirements: Transcripts, resume, three letters of recommendation, essay
• Programs: MSN Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Nursing Informatics

The Grand Valley State University’s MSN program creates leaders who are able to run health are micro-systems, such as patient care settings and units, while incorporating the reforms within the health care system as a whole. The curriculum will create graduates that have all the necessary skills and knowledge to integrate evidence based practice within care settings. They will learn how to coordinate all the different elements of this system, while always focusing on positive patient outcomes. The focus is also strongly on how to deliver improved systems while at the same time bringing down expenditure.

• Campus: Grand Rapids, MI
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $614 per credit hour for residents and $804 per credit hour for non residents
• Minimum time commitment: 41 credits
• Online availability: Yes – hybrid
• Degree requirements: Transcripts, resume, GRE, personal statement, essay, interview, TOEFL if applicable, RN license, criminal background check, health assessment
• Programs: MSN

Saginaw Valley State University has developed an MSN program that feeds directly into the knowledge that students have already acquired at undergraduate leaders. They offer a number of different concentrations, including a dual educator/administrator concentration. Graduates will be ready to support and promote true quality health care, working in both clinical and academic settings. Nurses will learn how to work as part of a team and how to improve existing systems and develop new ones in order to improve outcomes for the communities they serve.

• Campus: University Center, MI
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $497.60 per credit hour for residents and $948.95 for non residents
• Minimum time commitment: 2 years
• Online availability: Yes – hybrid
• Programs: MSN Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Dual Degree – Nurse Educator/Administrator

At Michigan State’s College of Nursing, MSN students can become advanced practice nurses in a range of different concentrations. Graduates will be able to become true primary care leaders in their chosen specialization. They will understand the complexities of a health care environment, while at the same time ensure that care remains centered on the patient. Their role will be to focus on patient wellness, incorporating the needs of their families and carers. Graduates will be able to create, implement and evaluate systems to ensure true continuity of care. The focus is strongly on safety and effectiveness, which is what is required of nurse leaders. The faculty is incredibly supportive of its students and wants to ensure all graduates feel that they have been instructed by some of the best clinical preceptors in the field.

• Campus: East Lansing, MI
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $646 per credit hour for residents, $1,269 per credit hour for non residents
• Minimum time commitment: 2 years
• Online availability: No
• Degree requirements: Resume, BSN, RN license, GPA of 3.0 minimum, one year’s work experience, statistics course, essay, three letters of recommendation, interview, TOEFL if applicable
• Programs: MSN Nurse Practitioner (Adult/Gerontology and Family Nurse Practitioner), MSN – CNS Educator, MSN Nurse Anesthesia