Online RN to MSN Program Overview
Fast track your nursing education by skipping your BSN. The online RN to Master of Science in Nursing (RN to MSN) program from UCCS prepares nurses who hold an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to advance to the level of nurse practitioner (NP) with just one program. You’ll learn to create positive change as an NP in clinical settings, improve patient outcomes and public health, and offer holistic care. Nurse practitioners play a critical role in reaching underserved populations and meeting primary care and behavioral health needs left by physician shortages.
Bridge to MSN
A required 6-credit readiness course provides students with the foundations of professional nursing practice that are precursor concepts for the MSN degree program. The course emphasizes scholarship for evidence-based practice, communication and collaboration, and professionalism. If you successfully complete the 6-credit-hour bridge course with an 84% or higher, you will automatically be able to transition to the MSN program and your chosen specialty track:
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
Nursing, RN to MSN
Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences
100% Online
Delivery Method
$868*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate In-state
$973*
Cost Per Credit
*Approximate Out-of-state
Priority Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Application Deadline
126
Credit Hours
4 Years
Average Completion Time
MSN Course Overview
The RN to Master of Science in Nursing program prepares nurses who hold their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to advance to the level of nurse practitioner (NP). You will start with the 6-credit bridge course, and if you achieve a passing score, you can move on to the MSN program. Students who do not pass the bridge course or who decide not to move on to the MSN program can apply the credit earned toward elective requirements in the BSN program.
The MSN program is offered fully online, plus 630 required clinical hours over the program. UCCS provides placement oversight and guidance; however, you will be responsible for identifying preceptors in your area. The MSN program offers both synchronous and asynchronous sessions, along with videos, group activities and discussions, online exams, case studies and simulation opportunities. You will learn from doctorate-prepared faculty members, most of whom maintain active APRN practices.
Choose your pace; the MSN program can be taken either full-time or part-time, so you can find a rhythm and workload that aligns with your personal and professional needs.
MSN Program Courses and Tracks
A minimum of 5 credit hours of NURS 7000 (Research Thesis) must be completed if the research option is chosen.
- NURS 6100: Philosophical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
- NURS 6110: Advanced Nursing Practice in Healthcare
- NURS 6120: Research and Knowledge Translation in Nursing
- NURS 6280: Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics
- NURS 6730: Advanced Health Assessment
- NURS 6740: Advanced Pathophysiology
- NURS 7000: Research Thesis OR NURS 7024: Research Analysis and Application
- 47 credits
- Manage the unique needs of people as they age
Courses
- NURS 6915: Primary Care of Acute Care Conditions
- NURS 6925: Primary Care of Chronic Care Conditions
- NURS 6950: Primary Care of Geriatric Patients and Families
- NURS 6960: Gender Health Primary Care
- NURS 6980: Synthesis Practicum
- NURS 6982: Pre-Synthesis Practicum
- 47 Credits
- Care for people across their entire lifespan, including preventing and managing acute and chronic health conditions
Courses
- NURS 6900: Primary Care of Pediatric Patients and Families
- NURS 6915: Primary Care of Acute Care Conditions
- NURS 6925: Primary Care of Chronic Care Conditions
- NURS 6960: Gender Health Primary Care
- NURS 6980: Synthesis Practicum
- NURS 6982: Pre-Synthesis Practicum
- 48 Credits
- Help patients manage psychiatric disorders and substance abuse both in primary and acute care settings
Courses
- NURS 6800: Mental Health Assessment and Interventions Across the Lifespan
- NURS 6801: Adult Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP
- NURS 6802: Geriatric Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP
- NURS 6803: Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Diagnosis and Management for the PMHNP
- NURS 6985: Psych Mental Health Synthesis Practicum
Featured Courses
Provides knowledge of cellular mechanisms and the clinical application of therapeutic drugs by practitioners in primary and acute health care settings. Educates Advanced Practice Nursing students about common drug uses, drug categories, and integrative health therapies.
Explores the foundation and techniques of advanced health assessment across the life span. This course requires 45 contact hours of precepted assessments.
Synthesis of pathophysiologic concepts for therapeutic assessment, diagnosis, management, and intervention fundamental to advanced practice nursing across the life span in various health care settings.
Learning outcomes include:
Provide holistic care to each patient using theories and scientific evidence
Promote health and prevent disease for individuals, families, and communities
Provide leadership that leads to high quality, safe patient care and optimal outcomes
Evaluate emerging trends, policy issues and problems in healthcare
Collaborate with other healthcare teams to provided patient-centered, culturally competent and ethical patient care
Prepare to meet the requirements for national certification and prescriptive authority
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master’s degree program in nursing, the post-graduate APRN certificate program, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Colorado Commission of Higher Education (CCHE)
1600 Broadway
Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
303-862-3001
Colorado State Board of Nursing
Department of Regulatory Agencies
1560 Broadway, Suite 110
Denver, CO 80202
303-894-7855
Nurse Practitioner Field Career Data
Graduates of the MSN program typically work in advance practice registered nurse roles as nurse practitioners in their specialty track.
The median annual wage for nurse practitioners in the United States in 2024 was $132,050 or $63.48 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The outlook for this grouping of occupations—specifically advanced practice registered nurses like nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives—is good, projecting much faster than average growth from 2023 to 2033 at 40%.
After Earning Your MSN Degree
Once you earn your MSN, you will be prepared to take a national certification exam for your specialty and, after passing, apply for licensure in your state of permanent residence.
If you want to continue your education to a terminal degree, you can pursue a doctoral degree program in nursing. There are two paths: a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Ph.D. A DNP degree prepares you for clinical and hospital/organizational leadership roles, whereas the Ph.D. in Nursing is focused on preparation for teaching, academic, and research-related roles.
MSN Success Stories
I was fortunate that I interviewed and was offered a family nurse practitioner position during my clinical experience at UCCS. Since graduating in December 2021, I was able to complete my board certification and start employment as a primary care and urgent care nurse practitioner in rural Colorado.
– Devon G. '21, Alum, Master of Science in Nursing
Take the First Step
Complete the form on this page to be contacted by an Enrollment Navigator.
Tuition and Fees
At UCCS Online, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you are making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all the options available to fund your education.
We are here to answer your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you can focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to corporate tuition assistance programs, we will work with you to find the best way to finance your degree.
You can find cost per credit estimates at the top of this page. This program has a small $60 application fee required upon submission of your application. Please contact an Enrollment Navigator for more information about any costs associated with your application and to help estimate your total tuition costs.
You may be eligible to pursue scholarships. Each year, UCCS awards $100 million in financial aid, and you can explore options through the UCCS Financial Aid Office.
Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP/WICHE)
Students from the following states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associated States) have the opportunity to pay a reduced tuition rate which is currently equal to in-state tuition.
In State Cost Per Credit:
$868
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
Out of State Cost Per Credit:
$973
Approximate tuition per credit hour based on the number of credits taken
We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education. Our enrollment navigators can help answer any of your questions about financial aid resources and make sure you’re able to pursue your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to transfer credits and corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your UCCS Online degree. Complete the formComplete the form on this page to be contacted by an enrollment navigator.
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a UCCS Online program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
- Scholarships | You may be eligible for scholarships at UCCS. We offer many scholarships and grants to students who are ready to earn their degrees and achieve success. Between both UCCS-offered and external scholarships, our students earned more than $10 million in scholarship awards last year alone.
UCCS Online is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a UCCS Online student, you will have access to UCCS Veteran and Military Affairs, which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success. UCCS is a proud home campus to many veteran and military students.
Eligible veteran and military students may use veteran benefits, military tuition assistance, and/or financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with UCCS Online include:
- Waived application fee for active duty and veterans
- Military benefits approved program
Connect with our Enrollment NavigatorsConnect with our Enrollment Navigators to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
All students are automatically opted in to the TAAP program with the choice to opt out. The TAAP program provides all your course materials for one flat fee per credit hour. That means no more time spent searching for, ordering, and paying out of pocket for your own course materials.
Many companies offer tuition assistance benefits as part of their employee compensation program. Generally, these policies determine a set number of credit hours per year that the company will fund on behalf of the student/employee. Some policies place a cap on eligible tuition dollars and related expenses while others reimburse employees on a per-credit-hour basis. Get in touch with your organization's human resources department to learn more about your educational benefits.
RN to MSN Program Admissions Requirements
Due to individual state regulations, UCCS is only accepting students from the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, California, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
Admission requirements for the RN to MSN program are:
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from ALL colleges and universities attended.
- A copy of your current, unrestricted RN license from an approved state (as listed on our website).
- 5,000 hours of professional Registered Nurse practice documented in a letter provided by your employer(s) and submitted with application.
- Curriculum vitae or resume.
- Complete the Graduate Application.
- Pay applicable application fee.
- Submit official transcripts from ALL colleges you have attended to:
Office of Admissions & Records
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
- All English as a Second Language (ESL) applicants are required to meet a minimum standard of English proficiency for admission. This requirement can be met by one of the English Proficiency Requirements.
- Completion of the 6-credit-hour UCCS RN (ADN) to MSN Bridge course (NURS 4460 – RN (ADN) to MSN Pathway Course: Precursor Concepts for MSN Program) with a minimum grade of 84% (B).
UCCS accepts applications throughout the year through a rolling admissions process; however, we advise prospective students to submit their applications by the preferred deadline(s).
- Fall Semester: August 5
- Spring Semester: January 5
- Summer Semester: May 5
- Fall 2025 – August 25, 2025
- Spring 2026 – January 20, 2026
- Summer 2026 – June 15, 2026
- Fall 2026 – August 24, 2026
- Spring 2027 – January 19, 2027
Expand Your Opportunities
Earn an education that creates opportunity. Start the admissions process with an enrollment navigator by filling out the form on this page today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To apply to the RN to MSN program, you must have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and have at least 5,000 hours of work experience as a registered nurse (RN), documented in a letter from your employer.
During fall and spring terms, courses are typically 16 weeks long. During the summer term, classes range from 8-11 weeks long. A required 16-week, 6-credit-hour bridge course will be offered in the fall semester.
Successful completion of the bridge course with a grade of 84% (B) or higher is required for entry into the MSN program, along with meeting standard admission requirements.
No, our RN to MSN, MSN, and Post-Master’s programs are focused on primary care nurse practitioner roles. They are not intended to prepare you for emergency room or urgent care settings, so you will need to seek an acute care nurse practitioner program for those career goals.
The RN to MSN program is offered fully online, plus 630 required clinical hours over the program. UCCS provides placement oversight and guidance; however, you will be responsible for identifying preceptors in your area.
The RN to MSN program can be taken either full-time or part-time, so you can find a rhythm and workload that aligns with your personal and professional needs; however, the required 6-credit-hour bridge course is only offered full-time. This program is usually completed in 36 months, depending on the course load you choose.
Like other MSN nursing applicants, you’ll follow the standard application process for admission into the graduate nursing program. Once your application is formally reviewed by the graduate program director and program coordinators, and you successfully complete the 6-credit hour bridge course with a grade of 84% or higher, you’ll transition directly into your selected graduate track. No additional application steps will be required.
Students who do not move forward into the MSN may continue in the RN to BSN program and earn their BSN upon completion. You can apply the six (6) credits from the bridge course to your elective requirements.
Online learning will offer you the flexibility to study at the best place and time for you. You can choose a sustainable pace for your lifestyle, which can help you consider your current career, family, and other commitments outside of school.
Additionally, at UCCS Online, our online programs are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus, which means you are earning the same high quality degree as traditional students, and your diploma will not mention that your degree was earned online.