Program Overview

Introduction to the RN-to-MSN Program

The RN-to-MSN program is an accelerated path to earning both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. This program combines elements of the BSN and MSN programs, allowing students to earn both degrees in less time and for less money than earning each separately.

Program Overview

• The program is designed for registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree in another discipline or those without a baccalaureate degree but with the background and interest in pursuing leadership and specialty preparation at the master's level.
• Students can choose to specialize in one of three areas: Community/Public Health Nursing, Nursing Leadership and Management, or Nursing Informatics.
• The program can be completed in as little as 2 years, with varying formats depending on the specialty chosen.
• Tuition and fees vary, with in-state tuition at $926/credit hour and out-of-state tuition at $1,643/credit hour.
• The program requires 69-71 credits and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Curriculum and Courses

Completing the BSN Degree

• First Semester:
  • NURS 450: RN-to-BSN: Transition: Implications for Practice, Policy, and the Profession (3 credits)
  • NURS 452: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Care for the Registered Nurse (3 credits)
  • NURS 454: Pathophysiologic Implications to Patient Assessment (5 credits)
  • NELC 400-Level: Elective (3 credits)
• Second Semester:
  • NELC 400-Level: Elective (3 credits)
  • NURS 460: Health Informatics for the Registered Nurse (3 credits)
  • NURS 467: Public Health Nursing Essentials for the Registered Nurse (5 credits)
  • NRSG 780: Health Promotion and Population Health (3 credits)
  • NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement (3 credits)
• Total credits for the BSN program: 31

Completing the MSN Degree

Community/Public Health Specialty

• Master's Core Courses:
  • NRSG 780: Health Promotion and Population Health (3 credits)
  • NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement (3 credits)
  • NRSG 790: Application of Science for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
• Community/Public Health Specialty Courses:
  • NURS 761: Populations at Risk (3 credits)
  • NURS 769: Society, Health and Social Justice (3 credits)
  • NURS 671: Epidemiological Assessment Strategies (3 credits)
  • NURS 730: Environmental Health (3 credits)
  • NURS 732: Program Planning and Evaluation in Community/Public Health (3 credits)
  • NURS 762: Program Planning and Evaluation in Community/Public Health Practicum (3 credits)
  • NURS 733: Leadership in Community/Public Health Nursing (4 credits)
  • NURS 753: Practicum in Leadership in Community/Public Health Nursing (4 credits)
• Total credits for the MSN program in Community/Public Health: 38

Nursing Leadership and Management Specialty

• Master's Core Courses:
  • NRSG 780: Health Promotion and Population Health (3 credits)
  • NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement (3 credits)
  • NRSG 790: Application of Science for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
• Leadership & Management Core Courses:
  • NURS 690: Managerial Health Finance (3 credits)
  • NURS 691: Organizational Theories: Applications to Health Service Management (3 credits)
  • NURS 692: Administration of Nursing and Health Care Services (3 credits)
  • NURS 695: Practicum in Health Services, Leadership, and Management (5 credits)
  • NURS 736: Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care (3 credits)
• NLM Focus:
  • NURS xxx: Elective (3 credits)
  • NURS xxx: Elective (3 credits)
  • NURS xxx: Elective (3 credits)
• Total credits for the MSN program in Nursing Leadership and Management: 38

Nursing Informatics Specialty

• Master's Core Courses:
  • NRSG 780: Health Promotion and Population Health (3 credits)
  • NRSG 782: Health Systems & Health Policy: Leadership & Quality Improvement (3 credits)
  • NRSG 790: Application of Science for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
  • NRSG 795: Biostatistics for Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)
• Nursing Informatics Specialty Courses:
  • NURS 690: Managerial Health Finance (3 credits)
  • NURS 691: Organizational Theories: Applications to Health Service Management (3 credits)
  • NURS 736: Technology Solutions for Generating Knowledge in Health Care (3 credits)
  • NURS 786: Systems Analysis and Design (3 credits)
  • NURS 784: Information Technology Project Management (3 credits)
  • NURS 785: Healthcare Database Systems (3 credits)
  • NURS 737: Nursing Informatics Concepts and Practice in Systems Adoption (3 credits)
  • NURS 738: Practicum In Nursing Informatics (4 credits)
  • NURS 770: Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction (3 credits)
• Total credits for the MSN program in Nursing Informatics: 40

Admission Information

Deadlines

• Fall 2026 Timeline:
  • Regular Deadline/Deadline for UMSON Scholarship Consideration: July 15, 2026
  • Final Deadline: August 1, 2026
• Spring 2027 Timeline:
  • Regular Deadline/Deadline for UMSON Scholarship Consideration: December 15, 2026
  • Final Deadline: January 5, 2027

Qualifications

• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
• Undergraduate science GPA of at least 2.75

Prerequisite Coursework

• 59 credits of prerequisite coursework from an accredited institution
• Required courses include:
  • General Chemistry (4 credits)
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II (8 credits)
  • Microbiology (4 credits)
  • Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
  • Statistics (3 credits)
  • Nutrition (3 credits)
  • English Composition I and II or Creative Writing/Literature (6 credits)
  • Psychology (3 credits)
  • Social Sciences (3 credits)
  • Arts and Humanities (9 credits)
  • General Electives (10 credits)

Scholarship Opportunities

• Federal Financial Aid
• Merit Scholarships: $1,500-$3,000 per semester
• Donor-Funded Scholarships: $500-2,000 per semester
• Conway Scholarship: 50% of in-state tuition, fees, and books
• Graduate Assistantships: stipend, tuition remission, in-state status, and paid student health insurance

Transfer of Credit by Examination

• The University of Maryland School of Nursing recognizes Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), and International Baccalaureate Exams (IB) for credit.
• Required test scores, credits, and transfer equivalency are determined by UMSON.
• Credits earned through AP, CLEP, or IB may be used to fulfill UMSON prerequisite coursework requirements.