An online master's degree in healthcare that helps you influence better patient outcomes.
Leaders in nursing and healthcare are focused in creating better patient outcomes, influencing crucial decisions, and improving communities. A master's degree in nursing or a master's degree in healthcare can give you the skills and credentials you need to lead in the industry. Join the force of healthcare and nurse professionals who have taken the next step and are leading the industry to better patient outcomes and improved health. Advance your career with a master’s degree in nursing education, nursing leadership and management, nursing informatics, or health leadership and administration. WGU has options to get you to MSN whether you have your BSN already—or not!
Master's Degree Program Options:
Nursing – Leadership and Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for greater responsibility:
- Time: 82% of grads finish within 24 months.
- Tuition and fees: $4,385 per 6-month term, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Sample careers and jobs this degree program will prepare you for:
- Director of Nursing
Chief Nursing Officer
Quality Director
Clinical Nurse Leader
Project Manager
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical and health services managers to grow 17% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.
College of Health Professions
Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 75% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 42 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,795 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion, $4,385 per 6-month term during graduate portion, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Director of Nursing
Chief Nursing Officer
Quality Director
Clinical Nurse Leader
Project Manager
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.
College of Health Professions
Master of Health Leadership
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care,...
A master's focused on managing comprehensive,...
A master's focused on managing comprehensive, value-based care, directly in line with innovations in health and healthcare.
- Time: 78% of grads finish within 18-24 months.
- Tuition and fees: $4,385 per 6-month term.
Examples of careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Managed care executive
- Director of integrated care management
- Health center manager/clinic manager
- Director of integrated facilities
Your rich experience in a health-related field can mean more when you bring a master's level of understanding to the problems that organizations need to solve.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.
College of Health Professions
Nursing – Education (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
A master's in nursing education program for nurses with BSNs....
A master's in nursing education program for...
A master's in nursing education program for nurses with BSNs.
This degree will prepare you to teach the next generation of nurses.
- Time: 80% of grads finish within 2 years.
- Tuition and fees: $4,385 per 6-month term, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Nurse Educator
Nursing Faculty
Program Director
Academic Clinical Nurse Educator
Hospitals and other facilities need nurse educators. Earn your MSN – Education and step into a role inspiring and empowering caregivers.
College of Health Professions
Nursing – Education (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This MSN – Education online nursing program for RNs includes a...
This MSN – Education online nursing program for...
This MSN – Education online nursing program for RNs includes a BSN program component and is a substantial leap forward for an aspiring nurse educator.
- Time: 74% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 42 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,795 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion, $4,385 per 6-month term during graduate portion, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Sample careers and jobs this online nursing degree will prepare you for:
- Nurse Educator
Nursing Faculty
Program Director
Academic Clinical Nurse Educator
Given the growing nurse educator shortage, earning your MSN with a focus in education is both a rewarding decision and a solid career move.
College of Health Professions
MBA Healthcare Management
Prepare for a career leading private or public healthcare...
Prepare for a career leading private or public...
Prepare for a career leading private or public healthcare organizations.
- Time: 72% of graduates finish within 24 months.
- Tuition and fees: $4,675 per 6-month term.
Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- President and CEO
- Vice president
- Administrative director
- Chief financial officer
- Other executive-level roles
Healthcare is big business in today's complex economy. Steer your career with this specialty MBA.
Compare online business degrees
This program is not the only online business degree WGU offers that is designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees by clicking the button below.
College of Business
Nursing – Nursing Informatics (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
A nursing degree program that empowers data-driven nurses who...
A nursing degree program that empowers...
A nursing degree program that empowers data-driven nurses who already have a BSN but seek the success only a master's can bring:
- Time: 72% of grads finish within 18 months.
- Tuition and fees: $4,385 per 6-month term, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
Informatics Director
Nursing Informatics Specialist
Informatics Analyst
The trajectory of data and informatics in healthcare will continually open opportunities for nurses who take this path.
College of Health Professions
Nursing – Nursing Informatics (RN–to–MSN) – M.S.
A nursing program that empowers data-driven nurses to go from RN...
A nursing program that empowers data-driven...
A nursing program that empowers data-driven nurses to go from RN to MSN, earning their BSN along the way:
- Time: 90% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,795 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion, $4,385 per 6-month term during graduate portion, plus a Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:
- Chief Nursing Informatics Officer
Informatics Director
Nursing Informatics Specialist
Informatics Analyst
The trajectory of data and informatics in healthcare will continually open opportunities for registered nurses who take this path.
College of Health Professions
Family Nurse Practitioner – M.S. Nursing
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN...
This program for BSNs who have an active,...
This program for BSNs who have an active, unencumbered RN license prepares you to become a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Locations: This degree program is offered in only the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.
- Time: 2½ years.
- Tuition and fees: $4,250 plus $1,395 in fees, per six-month term.
WGU offers the FNP program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to earning your degree.
College of Health Professions
CCNE accreditation.
WGU's master of nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) (655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791). An autonomous arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CCNE is the foremost accrediting body for nursing schools that offer BSN and MSN degrees. Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, CCNE is the only accrediting body devoted exclusively to the evaluation of BSN and MSN nursing degree programs. Accreditation is a nongovernmental peer review process that evaluates each program's mission, goals, and expected outcomes and assesses the performance of the nurse program in achieving those missions and goals.
Celebrating nurse leaders with a special scholarship.
One thing this year has shown us is just how much America needs nurses, especially nurse leaders. So we’re celebrating the “Year of the Nurse” with a special scholarship honoring a lifelong nurse leader.
Named for Dr. Margaret McClure, the catalyst for today’s magnet hospital program, this $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to one recipient each quarter who has demonstrated activism or innovation in nursing that improves patient outcomes.
“At WGU there is no busy work. Everything is related to your degree and related to the work you'll be doing in your job.” Natalie Hill
M.S. Nursing – Education (RN to MSN)
See how our students are making a difference.
Students and graduates of WGU's College of Health Professions are unified by their service to caring for others. One grad, Rhonda, was also driven by duty. She found a way to connect her duty to serve and her calling to care. Discover how you can join thousands of students like Rhonda, focused on making a difference in the lives of patients.
Rhonda's WGU College of Health Professions experience
Experience + hard work could help you graduate ahead of schedule—and under budget.
Our unique approach to education is an ideal match for experienced nurse or healthcare professionals like you, who have extensive real-world experience. At WGU, you earn your master of nursing or healthcare by demonstrating skills and knowledge in career-relevant subject areas through a series of assessments. If you already know the material or study hard to learn it faster, you can complete your assessments more quickly. With the personalized guidance and instruction of knowledgeable faculty, you’ll be able to earn your MSN or healthcare degree online, on your schedule, and on your budget.
competency, noun
Demonstrated knowledge, skill, or ability required to advance in a degree program.
At WGU, course competencies are defined by an expert council, including employers.
For this course, there are 3 areas you need to prove competency in.
First, let's take a pre‑assessment.
Determine what you already know from previous work and education experience, and where you need to focus your studies. Prove your competency in 3 areas in this exercise.
Competency 1: Retrieving results...
Competency 2: Retrieving results...
Competency 3: Retrieving results...
Second, study course materials.
Click on the free learning resources created by education experts that will help you master the competencies.
E-textbook
Web-based Tutorials
Online Classes
Simulations
Learning Communities
Course Mentors
Result:
“Not only did my degree at WGU help me advance my career—it also helped save a rural hospital and the community's access to local, quality healthcare.” Sarah Aronack
M.S. Nursing – Leadership and Management (BSN to MSN)
Frequently Asked Questions About MSN Programs
What is the best masters degree to get in nursing?
The best MSN to get will really depend on your ultimate career goals. If you want to teach other nurses, a nursing education MSN is a great fit. If you want to move up in the ranks of nursing toward management positions, a nursing leadership MSN is a great fit. If you want to move into data analysis, a nursing informatics MSN is a good option. Start with determining what your dream career is, then find an MSN program that will help you be prepared to reach your goals.
How much does a nurse with a MSN make a year?
On average nurses with a master's degree earn about $86,000 per year, much higher than the RN national average of $74,000 per year.
What types of master's degrees in nursing are there?
- Nursing education program
- Nursing leadership and management program
- Nursing informatics program
- Nurse practitioner programs
- Bridge programs allowing for you to earn your BSN and MSN at the same time
What does a masters in nursing get you?
A master's degree in nursing can help you in many ways, including:
- Higher salary
- Preparation to move into a different job with different responsibilities
- Opportunity for promotion
- Benefit to your hospital moving toward magnet status
- Step towards even higher education, such as a doctorate degree