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Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program in the Berkeley College School of Health Studies is designed to help students expand their career options and increase their earning potential in one of today's most in-demand areas of nursing.

Program Overview

The MSN program offers many benefits, including:

• Executive format designed for working nurses
• 46-credit curriculum that can be completed in as little as 2.25 years with a combination of synchronous online courses and clinical practice hours
• Up to 9 credits can be transferred from other MSN programs
• Online synchronous coursework, with some classes/simulations that must be taken at the Woodland Park campus, and off-site clinical rotations that must be approved by the Graduate Nursing Department and completed in the State of New Jersey

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization program at Berkeley College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). CCNE accreditation signifies quality education and has recognized excellence, innovation, and best practices in Berkeley College's MSN program's faculty, nursing curriculum, and lab facilities.

Faculty

The faculty members in the MSN program have doctoral degrees and extensive academic and professional experience in nursing and different public service settings. Some of the notable faculty members include:

• Caterina Sousa (Director)
• Barbara Crump
• Angelica Delacruz

Locations Offered

The MSN program is offered in a hybrid format with lecture courses being conducted online in a synchronous format. The program also contains clinical courses, which are to be completed at off-site facilities that must be located in the State of New Jersey. Several courses contain a simulation requirement, which must be completed at the Woodland Park campus.

Program FAQs

Is the Berkeley College MSN program accredited?

The Berkeley College Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization (MSN - FNP) program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Why is accreditation important?

CCNE accreditation ensures the quality and integrity of graduate programs in nursing. Accreditation by CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices.

Am I able to participate in any national certification examinations?

Yes, as a graduate of Berkeley College's CCNE accredited MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization program, students will be eligible to participate in the following certification examinations:

• American Nurses Credentialing Center Board Certification (ANCC)
• The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP)

What are the benefits of having a master's degree in nursing?

By earning a master's degree in nursing, students have more options for upward mobility. Nurses possessing their MSN degree have the ability to:

• Achieve higher entry-level earnings
• Continue their education and carry out research
• Enter a stable career path that has many job opportunities
• Secure leadership roles
• Become an expert in the field while gaining the respect of their workplace colleagues
• Achieve personal fulfillment

What will I learn in the MSN program?

The Berkeley College Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program offers nurse professionals the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of nursing theory, research, informatics, and health policy. Students will care to diverse populations and cohorts of patients in clinical and community-based systems, and implement safe and quality practices in a variety of settings and roles.

Do I need work experience before beginning the program?

The Family Nurse Practitioner track does require individuals to be employed as a Registered Nurse in direct patient care settings.

Do I have to be a registered nurse to apply to Berkeley's MSN?

Yes, all students wishing to apply to the MSN program are required to possess a current RN license. Make sure the license is current and unencumbered prior to submitting the application.

Are there prerequisites for MSN program? If so, what are they?

Students are required to have a BSN degree from an accredited college or university, including courses in statistics, research, and physical assessment. Applicants for the MSN program are expected to possess a solid academic foundation in the health sciences and extensive clinical preparation.

What are the Admissions Requirements for the MSN program?

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Berkeley College is open to licensed professional nurses who possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and an unencumbered, unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the State of New Jersey or APRN certification from the State of New Jersey.

What is the application deadline to apply?

Applications for the Family Nurse Practitioner program are considered for admission to the Woodland Park and Online MSN program for the fall, winter, and spring semesters. The application deadline is one week before classes begin.

Can I study at any campus?

To accommodate varying schedules and work time commitments, the MSN program is offered in a hybrid format with lecture courses being conducted online in a synchronous format. The program also contains clinical courses, which are to be completed at off-site facilities that must be located in the State of New Jersey.

Do I need a GMAT or GRE to enter the program?

No, the Program does not require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The amount of time to complete the program will depend on the course load per semester.

What kind of job can I get with an MSN?

Earning an MSN degree can open up many new career options and increase earning potential. There are numerous career paths for the Family Nurse Practitioner, including:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Chronic Pain Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Case Manager
• Nurse Researcher
• Nurse Advocate
• Nursing Director/Manager/Coordinator

How can I pay for an MSN degree at Berkeley College?

To learn more about funding the education, read the Guide to Financial Aid.

Can I work full-time while attending school?

The MSN program is designed to allow the working nurse to advance in their MSN degree while continuing to work within the community.

How many practicum or clinical hours do I need to complete?

Students who enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner track prior to Fall 2025 will complete 630 clinical practice hours and simulation training that will be conducted both on campus and virtually. Students who enroll in Fall 2025 and later will complete 750 clinical practice hours in addition to the simulation training.

Does the Capstone course require a project?

Yes, the MSN Capstone courses require students to complete a project related to their specialization. The project will incorporate a variety of weekly deliverables that measure the student's progress toward meeting the program outcomes.

Why Choose Berkeley?

Curriculum Quality and Professional Relevance

The MSN program is designed around career preparedness and the development of specialization-specific competencies. It integrates The Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Accreditation

The Berkeley College Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization (MSN - FNP) program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Capstone and Practicum Experience

The integrated capstone allows students to apply what they're learning in the field, and each practicum involves on-site supervised training. The capstone course, paired with the practicum experience, allows the student to work with an organization to solve real-world challenges that they will face in their career as advanced practical nurses by using the best available evidence.