Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Advancing Healthcare Excellence through Specialized Nursing Practice
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Degree Options
100% online,* 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Advance in Your Career with a Liberty University Nursing Master’s Degree
Liberty University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is designed to provide you with the critical nursing skills necessary for advanced clinical practice, teaching, and research. As medical advancements occur every day, you need a degree that is innovative and up-to-date with the latest industry expectations. You can receive that specialized training with our MSN degree.
Our MSN degree is offered completely online, allowing you the opportunity to remain active in your job, with your family, and in your community without the worry of having to take courses on campus. Our MSN degree specializations are designed to equip you with the tools and skills essential for foundational learning in areas you are passionate about — which is crucial to thriving in nursing-related fields.
In today’s world, the need for excellent nurses and strong nursing leadership has never been greater. With an MSN from Liberty, you can be better prepared to train and lead tomorrow’s nurses, setting health policy, or managing community nursing efforts.
With the option to choose from a variety of specializations, our MSN is designed so that whether you want to focus on health policy or nursing administration, Liberty has a program for you!
Liberty maintains strict compliance with all licensure requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Not a Virginia resident? We want to help find the best program for you! To view educational requirements and whether a specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.
*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the postgraduate APRN certificate program at Liberty University School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
What is an online MSN?
The idea of an online master’s degree in nursing may seem out of reach or impossible. However, you truly do have the option of pursuing your MSN online by partnering with Liberty University. Our online MSN offers the same curriculum and academic rigor as a residential MSN.
You will take core courses that focus on topics like nursing theory and advanced practice, health policy and ethics, managing population health, and more! With this degree, all of your coursework is offered in a flexible, online format. You’ll take 8-week-long classes with 8 different start dates each year, and you’ll have no set login times. Additionally, you’ll participate in hands-on experiences as a part of your degree, and all of your practicum hours can be completed within your own community.
As an advanced credential, you can better prepare for positions of added responsibility. Whether your desire to lead other nurses, meet employer requirements, or just advance your training and knowledge in the field of nursing, an MSN from Liberty University can help.
What Will You Study in Our MSN Program?
Our MSN training is designed with your success in mind. You can expect to learn from professors with years of experience in the nursing field and advanced degrees. In addition, your MSN will consist of courses that are designed to help you think critically about current trends and issues in nursing so that you are better prepared to address complex situations as they arise.
You will take core classes in research, health policy and ethics, advanced nursing practice and theory, and more. In addition to your core courses, you will also take courses within your specialization that are designed to provide highly specialized knowledge – so you can address nuances in the nursing field with authority.
Featured Courses
- NURS 500 – Research
- NURS 501 – Health Policy and Ethics
- NURS 502 – Nursing Theory and Advanced Practice
- NURS 503 – Managing Population Health
Degree Information
- This degree falls under the School of Nursing.
- A background check is required in preparation for the practicums.
- Earn a minimum of 200 clinical hours across 3 practicum courses in our nursing educator and nursing administration tracks.
- Students should seek programs of study approved by their state. For more information, visit our State Approval Disclosure notifications page for Liberty University nursing programs.
- Students must hold a current and active RN license within the United States.
- You can view the School of Nursing’s Non-Discrimination Statement for more information about how Liberty University meets state and federal requirements to ensure fairness and reasonable accommodations.
Why Choose Liberty’s MSN Degree?
Our master’s degree in nursing is an industry leader in online MSN degree programs, taught by nursing professionals with years of valuable experience. With regional and programmatic accreditation, at Liberty, you can be confident that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for affordability.
At Liberty University, you have access to professors who not only have hands-on experience and are accomplished professionals in the field of nursing, but our faculty also have advanced degrees in related areas of study. Our professors will seek to partner with you in order to ensure your success as you earn your MSN credential online.
What are the benefits of an online master’s degree in nursing?
- Increased job opportunities
- Meet employer requirements with an MSN degree
- Opportunity to specialize in multiple key areas of nursing
- Potential for increased salary and new positions
Potential Careers for MSN Graduates
- Curriculum coordinator
- Health services research analyst
- Healthcare provider associate
- Legislative analyst/assistant
- Nurse leader
- Nurse programmer
- Staff/patient educator
- Undergraduate university nurse professor
Master’s in Nursing Program Degree Options
When pursuing our master’s degree in nursing, you can choose a specialization that best fits your career goals! Whether you want to lead other nurses, educate nurses, or craft health policy, Liberty has a specialization for you!
Community Health
In Liberty University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Community Health degree, you can learn about community health from an academic and biblical worldview at one of the world’s largest Christian universities. You’ll study the challenges of local communities, paying close attention to the assessment of community wellness and health needs. The required practicum hours in our online nursing program provide the opportunity to start making an impact on your community immediately.
This area of study offers an accelerated 1-year track.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Health Policy
In Liberty University’s online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Health Policy, you can gain the knowledge you need to work with leaders and government officials to improve healthcare in your community and across the nation. An MSN in Health Policy can help advance your career and place you in a position to advocate for patients at top decision-making levels.
This area of study offers an accelerated 1-year track.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Nurse Educator
Liberty University’s online Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator can prepare you for a cutting-edge career that combines a passion for nursing and teaching. You can be equipped with the critical thinking skills and knowledge needed to promote the profession of nursing through teaching, clinical practice, program development and implementation, and scholarship.
Please note: This specialization is also offered as an accelerated 1-year track.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Nursing Administration
Liberty University’s online Master of Science in Nursing — Nursing Administration is designed to prepare you for employment or advancement in nursing leadership and management by providing you with the tools and skills to effectively provide for and support your team. You can be equipped to demonstrate skills in consultation and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and direct healthcare systems.
Please note: This specialization is also offered as an accelerated 1-year track.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Nursing Informatics
Liberty University’s online Master of Science in Nursing — Nursing Informatics is designed to help you integrate nursing science with various information sciences to improve healthcare outcomes. When you specialize in nursing informatics, you can learn how to manage resources to achieve easier access to care and better care management.
Please note: This specialization is also offered as an accelerated 1-year track.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
MSN/MBA Dual Degree
Liberty University’s School of Nursing offers a combined Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration dual degree track that is designed to equip you to meet the unique business needs of the nursing field. For more information about this combined track, see the MSN/MBA Dual Degree page.
Please note: The MSN/MBA dual degree is 60 credit hours.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
MSN/MSHA Dual Degree
Liberty University’s School of Nursing offers a combined Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Healthcare Administration dual degree track that is designed to equip you to meet the unique business needs of the health sciences field. For more information about this combined track, see the MSN/MSHA Dual Degree page.
Please note: The MSN/MSHA dual degree is 60 credit hours.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
State Licensure Requirements
Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Admission to this program also requires:
- Current and active nursing license to practice as a registered nurse in your current state of residency.
- Minimum of 1 year of nursing practice as a registered nurse. This may be verified verbally by phone or by the submission of a résumé or a curriculum vitae as an attached document by email or sent by fax.
- Recommender contact information.
- Students without the following coursework on their undergraduate transcripts will be required to complete the following classes upon admission to the program (Non-B.S.N. applicants may be admitted to the M.S.N. program but must satisfy requirements for the undergraduate bridge courses):
- Post-Licensure Health Assessment (NURS 211)
- Statistics (math preferred) (MATH 201)
- Nursing Management (NURS 491)
- Post-Licensure Population Health (NURS 446)
- Leadership in Nursing (NURS 489)
- Strategies for Community Health Care (NURS 440)
- Post-Licensure Research in Nursing (NURS 226)
- B.S.N. applicants may be admitted to the M.S.N. program but must satisfy requirements for the following undergraduate prerequisite courses (prerequisites are not an admissions requirement, but you must complete before NURS 500 and NURS 502):
- Statistics (math preferred) (MATH 201)
- Post-Licensure Health Assessment (NURS 211)
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get your MSN online?
You need flexibility, we can help. As a working professional, you’re probably excited about the idea of pursuing higher education with the convenience of an online format. You may be wondering if that’s even a possibility.
At Liberty, the possibilities are endless. By choosing to pursue your master’s in nursing online through Liberty University, you’re giving yourself the freedom to pursue your degree while remaining committed to your work, family, and community. Plus, you don’t have to worry about traveling to our residential campus to complete any requirements. With this program, all your coursework can be completed from the comfort of your own home, and your required practicum hours can be completed within your community.
Do you offer an online MSN program without clinicals?
At Liberty, our MSN program does have required clinical hours through a practicum experience. With these hours, you can continue to gain hands-on knowledge to take the next step in your career. We understand that it may be hard to come to our campus in Lynchburg, Va., so you are able to complete your practicum hours conveniently within your own community.
Are online MSN programs respected?
The career and financial benefits that can be obtained by earning a master’s in nursing is an exciting prospect. However, you may be wondering if an online MSN will be recognized by employers, making it worth your time.
Liberty University’s School of Nursing and MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), so your degree has met rigorous standards required for a graduate-level nursing program. Additionally, this means your degree can be both recognized and well-respected among current and future employers.
Which MSN degree should I get?
Once you’ve decided that pursuing a Liberty MSN online degree is the right next step for your education and career, you may be wondering which degree is the right fit for you. At Liberty, we offer a variety of specializations and dual degrees to ensure that you’re pursuing the program that works for your personal and professional goals. Here is a breakdown of what each of Liberty’s master’s in nursing programs can offer you:
Community Health – With this degree, you can specialize in advocating for the health and wellness of your community.
Health Policy – This degree can help you work alongside politicians and government officials to create local, state, and even national policy that positively impact the health of others.
Nurse Educator – As a nurse who understands the importance of knowledge and training in the field, you may decide to pursue this degree to educate other nurses.
Nursing Administration – If your career goals are to lead and manage nurses and health professionals, this degree can provide you with leadership training that is integral to nursing leadership.
Nursing Informatics – If you’re a nurse with a knack for information technology and systems, this degree can provide you with the training that is important to excel in this field.
MSN/MBA Dual Degree – This program combines the MSN with our Master of Business Administration degree to help you partner your nursing skills with business acumen.
MSN/MSHA Dual Degree – Meet the business needs of the health sciences field with a combined MSN and Master of Science in Healthcare Administration degree.
Is there a similar online degree?
If you’ve already received your MSN online, you may be interested in pursuing your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The Liberty University nurse practitioner (NP) program is a terminal degree that can prepare you to be an NP as well as an expert and leader in the field of nursing.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- State Requirements
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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