Saint Joseph's University's Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed for individuals who have an RN license and an associate or diploma in nursing. This award-winning program enables busy nurses to earn their bachelor’s degree through flexible, individualized scheduling. For the practicing nurse, we provide courses that build upon your existing professional expertise and provide additional opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (MSN)
Are you ready to add to your nursing skill set and become an advanced practice nurse? Saint Joseph’s University will prepare you for the next step in your nursing career with our Master of Science in Nursing–Nursing Practitioner (MSN-NP).
Requirements to Apply to the MSN Program:
- Reside in Pennsylvania
- Have unencumbered RN licensure in Pennsylvania (PMC applicants who are NPs must have an unencumbered NP license)
- Hold a BSN degree from a regionally-accredited institution
- Have a 3.0 GPA
- Have 2 years' experience and 3,000 hours of clinical experience as a nurse (if you do not have 3,000 clinical hours, you may still apply to the program but will be required to complete those hours before beginning the 720 clinical hour requirement)
If you do not have a BSN, we invite you to explore our RN to BSN or our Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. If you do not have an associate degree, consider our Associate Degree in Nursing program. If you have your MSN, we invite you to explore our Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care or our Post-Master’s Certificate in Family/Individual Across the Lifespan.
100% Pass Rate
We currently have a 100% pass rate on the AACN/ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and ANCC/AANP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) exams.
What Sets Our MSN-NP Program Apart
Opportunity to Select from Two Specialty Tracks
You will have the opportunity to choose from two specialty tracks depending on your career goals:
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care
- Family/Individual Across the Lifespan
Flexible Online Classes with an Onsite Clinical Component
Embrace the flexibility of our online MSN-NP program, where you will attend classes virtually while maintaining your full or part-time employment. The program offers an onsite clinical component, allowing you to fulfill your clinical requirements at a location of your choice, tailored to the population focus of the degree.
Preparation for the Nursing Certification Exam
At the successful completion of the MSN-NP program, students are eligible to take the certification exam that aligns with the program track completed. We currently have a 100% pass rate on the AACN/ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) and ANCC/AANP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) exams.
Gain Extensive Real-World Experience with 720 Required Clinical Hours
We provide you with the clinical support you need to complete the required 720 clinical hours at premier locations in Pennsylvania. You’ll have the opportunity to experience working in clinical settings with expert preceptors and faculty, helping you apply the knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences.
Taught by Experienced Nursing Faculty
At Saint Joseph’s University, our MSN-NP faculty members represent a cadre of seasoned nursing professionals dedicated to fostering excellence in education and clinical practice. What sets our faculty apart is their extensive experience and expertise, not only as educators but also as active practitioners in their respective specialty areas. Each faculty member brings a wealth of real-world insights and up-to-date knowledge, having made significant contributions to the field through their ongoing clinical practice and scholarship endeavors.
Why Study this Program in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals and clinics seeking nurses, including:
- Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- University of Pittsburg Medical Center (UPMC)
- Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian
- Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute
- Haven Behavioral Health
- WellSpan Health
Program Details
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The master’s degree program in nursing and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Saint Joseph's University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
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Saint Joseph's University in Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.
PER-CREDIT TUITION:
The cost of the Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner (MSN) program is $935 per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:
In addition to the per-credit rate, there are also program-specific fees. When a student enrolls in the following courses, they are responsible for paying a fee of $2,100 for each course:
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Track: NUR 741, NUR 743 and NUR 745
- Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Track: NUR 721, NUR 723 and NUR 725
For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Practitioner Sample Curriculum
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Fall Semester I
Course Credits IPC 511 Graduate Research 3 IPC 512 Health Care Policy & Finance 3 Total Credits 6 Spring Semester I
Course Credits IPC 601 Leadership in Healthcare 3 NUR 700 Epidemiology & Population Health 3 Total Credits 6 Summer Semester I
Course Credits NUR 643 Health Promotion in an Integrated Care Model 3 Total Credits 3 Fall Semester II
Course Credits NUR 640 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 Total Credits 3 Spring Semester II
Course Credits NUR 641 Advanced Pharmacology 3 NUR 500 Nurse Practitioner Role Development 1 Total Credits 4 Summer Semester II
Course Credits NUR 642 Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning 3 NUR 652 Advanced Pharmacology for Critical Care 3 Total Credits 6 Fall Semester III
Course Credits NUR 740 Adult-Gero Acute Care NP I 4 NUR 741 Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Practicum I 4 Total Credits 8 Spring Semester III
Course Credits NUR 742 Adult-Gero Acute Care NP II 4 NUR 743 Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Practicum II 4 Total Credits 8 Summer Semester III
Course Credits NUR 744 Adult Gero Acute Care NP III 4 NUR 745 Adult-Gero Acute Care NP Practicum III 4 Total Credits 8 Total Program Credits: 52
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Fall Semester I
Course Credits IPC 511 Graduate Research 3 IPC 512 Health Care Policy & Finance 3 Total Credits 6 Spring Semester I
Course Credits IPC 601 Leadership in Healthcare 3 NUR 700 Epidemiology & Population Health 3 Total Credits 6 Summer Semester I
Course Credits NUR 643 Health Promotion in an Integrated Care Model 3 NUR 644 Application of Integrated Care Concepts 2 Total Credits 5 Fall Semester II
Course Credits NUR 640 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 Total Credits 3 Spring Semester II
Course Credits NUR 641 - Advanced Pharmacology 3 NUR 500 - Nurse Practitioner Role Development 1 Total Credits 4 Summer Semester II
Course Credits NUR 642 - Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Reasoning 3 NUR 651 - Advanced Psychopharmacology 2 Total Credits 5 Fall Semester III
Course Credits NUR 720 - Family NP Across Lifespan I 4 NUR 721 - Family NP Practicum I 4 Total Credits 8 Spring Semester III
Course Credits NUR 722 - Family NP Across Lifespan II 4 NUR 723 - Family NP Practicum II 4 Total Credits 8 Summer Semester III
Course Credits NUR 724 - Family NP Across Lifespan III 4 NUR 725 - NP Practicum III 4 Total Credits 8 Total Program Credits: 53
Post-Master's Certificates - Nursing Practitioners Curriculum
Saint Joseph's offers Post-Master's Certificates in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care and Family/Individual Across the Lifespan. These programs are available to both certified NPs and non-NPs with a current MSN. The programs feature online coursework and clinicals in the setting aligned with your specialty.
Certified NPs can expect to complete the program in as little as one year with a minimum of 500 hours of clinical and 4-6+ online courses. Non-nurse practitioners can expect to complete the program in as little as 2 years with a minimum of 720 clinical hours and 8 online classes.
Why Become a Nurse Practitioner?
The role of the Nurse Practitioner has been among the top-ranking jobs. The NP role ranks first on U.S. News & World Report's “2023 Best Healthcare Jobs” list and “100 Best Jobs of 2023" list.
What is the Average Salary Nurse Practitioners Can Expect to Earn?
NPs earn significantly more than RNs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a Nurse Practitioner in 2022 is $125,900 per year.
RN to MSN Bridge Option
Pursuing an MSN is the perfect way to move into a leadership role and advance your nursing career. This bridge program makes it possible for registered nurses who have a bachelor's degree in another field but do not have a BSN to enter an MSN program without having to complete a BSN first. Therefore, RNs who have a bachelor’s degree in another area of study can complete the bridge courses and gain access to Saint Joseph's master’s programs.
This bridge program includes three courses that prepare you to take on master's-level nursing coursework. These courses are: IPC 401 Research in Health Care, NUR 420 Nursing Leadership and Management and NUR 430 Nursing in a Global Society.
Additional Information About Our RN to MSN Bridge Option:
- A BSN is not awarded upon completion of the RN to MSN Bridge program
- If you are an RN who has a bachelor's in another field and seek to pursue the MSN-NP, you may be granted conditional acceptance into our program
- You must be a graduate from a regionally-accredited pre-licensure program
- Please review the Admission Requirements section below for additional admission information regarding this option
Admission Information
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Requirements to Apply to the MSN Program:
- Must reside in Pennsylvania
- Have unencumbered RN licensure in Pennsylvania (PMC applicants who are NPs must have an unencumbered NP license)
- Hold a BSN degree from a regionally-accredited institution
- Have a 3.0 GPA
- Have 2 years experience and 3,000 hours of clinical experience as a nurse (if you do not have 3,000 clinical hours, you may still apply to the program but will be required to complete those hours before beginning the 720 clinical hour requirement)
To learn more about the admission process and required materials or ask any questions, please email the admission office.
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- Apply online.
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Provide a written statement clearly identifying the applicant’s career goals and how admission to the program will facilitate professional goals.
- Submit a resume
- Provide two (2) letters of recommendation: at least one from an NP/MD/DO/MSN/ doctorate-prepared nurse who can attest to the applicant’s clinical knowledge, and one from a nursing leader with an MSN or doctoral degree (nursing supervisor/manager/ nursing professor).
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Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Start Terms:
- Fall: August
- Spring: January
- Summer: May
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If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT instead of the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
Explore Other Degree Programs
Saint Joseph’s University offers a top-ranked four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in Philadelphia and Lancaster and the region’s only three-year accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Lancaster. In addition to our four-year and accelerated three-year BSN programs, we also offer a flexible RN to BSN pathway program for students who want to advance their career in the healthcare field.
Saint Joseph’s University’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) offers the opportunity to expand your clinical nursing skills by pairing rigorous classroom learning with time in Pennsylvania’s most advanced simulation lab. From the day you’re accepted, you are guaranteed clinical placements at some of the area’s leading health care organizations.