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College of Nursing

Online master's nursing degrees

Make a greater impact as a nurse leader

Position yourself for clinical nurse leadership positions with an online master’s nursing degree. Choose your path with concentration options like nurse education, informatics, or nurse administration, or advanced practice nursing options such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. No matter which path you pick, the master’s nursing degree (MSN) helps you apply advanced practice strategies to many healthcare environments.

Is your bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline? Our Nurse Bridge program can help you pursue your master’s degree in nursing. If you have an active RN license and a bachelor’s degree in any other field, our Nursing Bridge Program helps experienced nurses earn a MSN degree while saving time and money. You’ll start with three Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) courses, then move into the master’s nursing program specialty that fits your career goals.

Busy life? There’s good news. Most of our master’s nursing classes are online and only 6-8 weeks long. Plus you’ll have up to 8 opportunities throughout the year to begin your classes, depending on the program you choose This gives you the flexibility to start school when it fits into your schedule, while adding to skills and expanding career opportunities as you progress.

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Find the nursing master's degree for you

36 - 52*

The number of credits required to complete a master’s nursing degree with UOPX.

Up to 6

The number of times a year you can start your degree based on the program and your schedule.

21 or 31

months^

The program length of a nursing business degree with UOPX.

months^

*The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Nurse Education, MSN/Informatics, MSN/Nurse Administration degrees require 36 credits to complete. The MSN/Family Nurse Practitioner degree requires 48 credits to complete; the MSN/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner requires 52 credits to complete.

^The published program length for The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Nurse Education, MSN/Informatics, MSN/Nurse Administration degrees are 21 months.  The MSN/Family Nurse Practitioner degree program is 28 months and Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degrees’ program length is 30 months.

Watch our Master's Q&A Webinar

University of Phoenix understands that life happens and that schedules are fluid. But no worries, because we recorded the Master’s Q&A Webinar so you can watch it when it fits your busy life. We encourage you to check it out and learn about important topics and commonly asked questions that many potential master’s students have. 

woman in front of computer

Skills you’ll develop with core master’s nursing degree courses

MASTER OF Science in nursing with a concentration in nurse education

  • Leadership
  • Information systems
  • Research 
  • Advocacy
  • Advanced nursing practice

MASTER OF Science in nursing with a concentration in informatics

  • Leadership
  • Information systems
  • Research 
  • Advocacy
  • Advanced nursing practice

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING WITH A CONCENTRATION IN NURSE ADMINISTRATION 

  • Leadership
  • Information systems
  • Research
  • Advocacy
  • Advanced nursing practice

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING/FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER

  • Advocacy
  • Nursing practice
  • Planning
  • Problem solving
  • Research application

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING/PSYCHIATRIC HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER

  • Problem solving
  • Research application
  • Planning
  • Advocacy
  • Nursing practice
  • Quality and safety

Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years

Get value from your education before you even graduate. Update your resumé and LinkedIn profile with learned skills when you complete every 5- or 6-week course in our associate, bachelor's and master's programs.

Build skills on your way to your degree

Outlook for workers with a master's degree in nursing

BLS CATEGORY: Postsecondary Education Administrators

JOB GROWTH: 4%

Bureau of Labor Statistics job growth for postsecondary education administrators is projected to be as fast as average between 2022 and 2032.

JOB TITLES:

  • Nursing Instructor
  • Nursing Professor
  • Nursing Faculty

BLS CATEGORY: Nurse Practitioners

JOB GROWTH: 38%

Bureau of Labor Statistics job growth in nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners is projected to be much faster than average between 2022 and 2032.

JOB TITLES:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

BLS CATEGORY: Medical and Health Services Managers

JOB GROWTH: 28%

Bureau of Labor Statistics job growth for medical and health services management occupations is projected to be much faster than average between 2022 and 2032.

JOB TITLES:

  • Clinical Director
  • Health Information Management Director

BLS CATEGORY: Nurse Practitioners

JOB GROWTH: 38%

Bureau of Labor Statistics job growth for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners is projected to be much faster than average between 2022 and 2032.

JOB TITLES:

  • Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Practitioner (NP)

BLS CATEGORY: Medical and Health Services Managers

JOB GROWTH: 28%

Bureau of Labor Statistics job growth for medical and health services management occupations is projected to be much faster than average between 2022 and 2032.

JOB TITLES:

  • Clinical Director
  • Nursing Director
  • Nurse Administrator

The BLS Projected Growth for 2021-2031 is published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Master’s nursing degree course requirements

Master of Science in Nursing/Concentration in Nurse Education

There are 12 core, program-specific courses that can help sharpen your advanced practice, leadership and teaching skills. Graduates may be eligible to sit for the Nurse Educator Certification Exam and should contact the National League for Nursing for eligibility requirements. Core courses include topics like: innovative curriculum design, educational assessment and evaluation, contemporary nursing practice and more.

Master of Nursing/Concentration in Informatics

There are 12 core, program-specific courses to help you build the confidence and skills to analyze data that supports effective decision-making and patient outcomes. Students may be eligible to sit for the Informatics Nursing Certification Exam and should contact the American Nurses Credentialing Center for eligibility requirements. Core courses include topics like: nursing research, data analysis and management, information workflow and more.

Master of Science in Nursing/Nurse Administration

There are 12 core, program-specific courses to help you build the knowledge, confidence and skills to pursue a future as a hospital, health system and clinical nurse leader. Students may be eligible to sit for the Nurse Executive Certification Exam and should contact the American Nurses Credentialing Center for eligibility requirements. Core courses include topics like: interprofessional leadership and management, health law, policy, ethics, and global trends, organizational dynamics and systems thinking and more.

Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner

There are 11 core, program-specific courses to help you build the knowledge, confidence and skills to prepare to take charge as a nurse practitioner. Most of the coursework is online, but an intense 5-day in-person residency is required as part of your degree program. Graduates are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) credential or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified (FNP-C) credential. Core courses include topics like: clinical applications of theory and research, Health policy and role of the advanced practice nurse, advanced pathophysiology and more.

Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

There are 12 core, program-specific courses to help you prepare as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specializing in neuropsychiatric care and treatment. Most of the coursework is online, but an intense 5-day in-person residency is required as part of your degree program. Graduates of the MSN/PMH program are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) PMHNP national certification examination. Core courses include topics like: health policy and role of the advanced practice nurse, advanced health assessment, neuropsychiatric disorders and more.

Tuition and financial aid

Affordable, locked-in tuition

Tuition guarantee
Compare tuition costs and see how affordable a degree can be

Ways to pay — and save. Explore your options.

From scholarships to transfer credits and federal financial aid for those who qualify, there are a variety of ways to pay for school and save on tuition. 

Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid is money from the U.S. Department of Education to help you pay for your college tuition and expenses.

Financial Aid

Military or Veteran Benefits

See if you qualify to use veterans’ education benefits or tuition assistance to help pay for school.

Military or Veteran Benefits

Credit for Prior Learning

Explore savings opportunities to earn college credit for skills you’ve gained through work and life experiences.

Credit for Prior Learning

Scholarships

Starting with your first course, every new qualifying student will be awarded one of our scholarships.

Scholarships

Employer Tuition Discounts

Check if your employer provides tuition assistance, benefits, or reimbursement programs toward your degree.

Employer Tuition Discounts

Student experience

Over 1 million alumni have earned their degrees while balancing work, school and life. So can you. 

Manage Time with Flexible Courses

Manage Time with Flexible Courses

Use Robust Student Resources

Use Robust Student Resources

Learn Online

Learn Online

How to apply for your master’s nursing degree program

Once you’ve selected your degree program, choose your start date from our calendar, apply for free and register before the deadline (usually one week before the program starts). Then you'll speak to an enrollment representative to begin class.

  • No application fee — no obligation!
  • No SAT, GMAT or essay required
Nurse with an iPad compares notes with a colleague

Meet your college deans

Our college deans focus on developing a career-relevant curriculum. They bring industry experience to the classroom and lead a faculty of academic professionals with one goal in mind—to help you earn the skills you need to pursue your career.

Raelene Brooks, Dean

Raelene Brooks, PhD, RN

Dean, College of Nursing

Linnea Axman, Associate Dean

Linnea Axman, DNP, DrPH, RN

Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, College of Nursing

Programmatic accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice PROGRAM at University of Phoenix are accredited  by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. 

CCNE Accredited

Nursing master's degree FAQs

This depends on the program  you choose to pursue. Other factors include the number of eligible credits you can transfer toward your program and whether you take breaks from your program. Here are the program lengths:

 

Advanced degrees like a master’s degree, are an important way to gain the knowledge and critical skills necessary to stay competitive in a field like nursing. If you’re looking to build knowledge, leadership acumen and career-relevant skills, an online master’s degree can help.

Most of the courses in our MSN programs are taught online. The Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN/FNP) and Master of Science in Nursing/Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSN/PMH) have a 5-day, in-person residency that’s required to complete the program. Our courses last 6-8 weeks and are in a learning environment that allows you and your peers to engage in discussions, assignments and learning activities. 

Regardless of which specialty or concentration you select, you’ll learn from faculty who are leaders in their field. They bring their experience and practice to the classroom. This exposes you to industry-leading strategies necessary to promote your career growth. 

Throughout your learning experience you are never alone. Our specialized nursing advisors and finance advisors support and help guide you to make solid decisions from your first day to your last.

You may be able to transfer eligible credits to our online master’s degree program if the university or college you attended is accredited. An enrollment representative can help you understand if your prior college credits can apply to your chosen program. 

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