Master of Science in Nursing (MSN Online) Degree

 

Play the Dr. Rennegarbe: Nursing Division VideoWhy an Online MSN Degree?


The online Master of Science degree in nursing allows the nurse to explore an area of interest including management, education, population health, etc. The online MSN provides an advanced education in the area of expertise with the goal of achieving a nursing position in this specific field.

 

 

 


Student on Home Laptop
Format


The MSN is offered 100% online. Students can pursue the programs either full-time or part-time. Most courses are eight weeks in length. A few courses are 16 weeks.  

 

 


MSN Options


The online graduate program in nursing is designed for working nurses who are interested in a masters degree to further careers in:

Nursing Education

Nursing Management/Administration

Population Health

School Nurse Endorsement

 

 

 

Nurse


Career Opportunities


Nurse Educator - Hospital

Nurse Educator - Clinic

Nurse Educator - Community College

Nurse Manager - Charge Nurse

Nurse Manager - Unit Director

Nurse Manager - Director of Nursing

Nurse Manager - Chief Nurse Executive

Population Health - Hospice

Population Health - Home Health

Population Health - Leadership and Hospital Education

Population Health - Public Health Practices

Population Health - Nurse Navigators

Population Health - Case Managers

Population Health - Utilization Review

Population Health - Education

 

 

Graduation Cap


Practicums


Focused on your professional development, experiential learning opportunities are integrated throughout the MSN coursework*. MSN faculty will work with you to customize real and relevant experience-based learning options based on your career goals.


*150 total practicum hours in divided increments throughout MSN program.

 

 

CCNE Accredited Seal
Accreditation


The master's degree program in nursing at McKendree University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE).

 

 


Required Course of Study

 
Core nursing courses required of all online MSN students (12 credits):

NSG 500 Evidence-based Practice in Healthcare (3 credits)

NSG 501 Health Policy and Legal Aspects in Healthcare (3 credits)

NSG 502 Ethics, Social Justice, Diversity, and Health Equity (3 credits)

NSG 650 Population Health and Epidemiology (3 credits)

 

 


Nursing Education Requirements

 
Nursing Education courses required (21 credits):

NSG 606 Advanced Health Assessment (3 credits)

NSG 609 Foundations of Nursing Education (3 credits)

NSG 615 Educational Methods and Strategies (3 credits)

NSG 616 Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education (3 credits)

NSG 617 Advanced Clinical Pathophysiology and Pharmacology (3 credits)

NSG 618 Nurse Educator Practicum and Scholarly Project (6 credits)

 

 


Nursing Management/Administration Requirements


Nursing Management/Administration
 courses required (21 credits):

NSG 600 Foundations of Nursing Management (3 credits)

NSG 601 Nursing Informatics (3 credits)

NSG 602 Human Behavior in Organizations (3 credits)

NSG 603 Management of Fiscal Systems (3 credits)

NSG 604 Quality, Safety, and Performance in Organizations (3 credits)

NSG 621 Nurse Manager Clinical Practicum and Scholarly Project (6 credits)

 

 


Population Health

  
Population Health
 courses required (21 credits):

NSG 604 Quality, Safety, and Performance in Organizations (3 credits)

NSG 651 Impacting Population Health and Wellness Across the Continuum (3 credits) 

NSG 652 Foundations of Population Health (3 credits)

NSG 653 Leadership in Population Health (3 credits)

NSG 654 Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention to Promote Individual and Population Outcomes (3 credits)

NSG 656 Advanced Population Health Practicum and Scholarly Project (6 credits)

 

 


Testimonials

 
“The McKendree University MSN program has provided me the opportunity to advance my career with the knowledge and preparation needed to lead impactful change. McKendree’ s high quality, dedicated, instructors and robust curriculum support the necessary skills and abilities for nurses to lead in an ever changing health care environment.” ~ Lleyna Gorka, ’20

“I highly encourage anyone thinking about getting their management degree to look at McKendree. The classes are small, the one-on-one sessions with the professors are so beneficial, and the online classroom atmosphere is nothing but positive.”
~ Megan Holtmann, ’16 MSN

“As a nursing professional, I found the McKendree MSN program flexible, accessible and manageable with work and home life. In addition, the MSN faculty are knowledgeable nursing scholars with a sincere concern about optimizing the success of their students and their respective areas of nursing practice.”
~ Reginald Randle, ’19 MSN

“McKendree nursing faculty are truly amazing and provide an excellent program. The classes are set up to allow for working adults to complete assignments and practicum hours with maximum efficiency.”
~ Travis Rath, ’20

 

 


Scholarship


McKendree is proud to announce the Diana Joyce Doros Scholarship, recognizing the critical role of nursing professionals in improving health outcomes for nurses without tuition reimbursement. The endowed scholarship fund makes available $5,000 awards divide over the duration of the program for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Population Health. The generous $750,000 endowed scholarship honors the life and legacy of the late Diana Joyce Doros. Please complete the scholarship application by July 15.

 

 


Application Process


McKendree University admits students who present evidence of their potential to complete graduate level work. Applicants are considered on an individual basis without regard to sex, race, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, or religion. The following documentation is required for consideration of admission:

1. A completed graduate admission application (no fee).

2. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The bachelor’s degree must be a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

3. An unencumbered valid Professional Registered Nurse license.

4. Official transcripts from each college or university attended. Official transcripts are those sent from institution to institution.

5. A minimum 3.0 GPA on a four-point scale in undergraduate studies.

6. A current resume or vita.

7. Three professional references.

8. Essay describing the personal and professional goals that will be met by completion of the degree.

9. Applicants who meet initial qualifications will be interviewed.

  

 


Tuition, Employer Reimbursement & Financial Aid


Tuition for the online Master of Science in Nursing program is $495 per credit hour for the 2024-25 academic year. 

Graduate Programs' Tuition Discounts

Employer Reimbursement and Financial Aid are available (click for detailed information).

  

 


Goals & Outcomes


McKendree MSN Program Outcome Goals and MSN Aggregate Outcomes

 

 


Next Step


Contact your student services specialist below and get details on the admission process and our next start date.


Photo of Carol FairlieCarol Fairlie

Student Services Specialist
Old Main 102, Lebanon, Illinois
(618) 537-6507
cjfairlie@mckendree.edu 

 

 


Faculty

 

Photo of Kendra Taylor, DNPKendra Taylor, DNP

Chair of the Division of Nursing
Assistant Professor of Nursing

(618) 537-6989
kktaylor@mckendree.edu

 

Photo of Angela Gilbreth, DNPAngela Gilbreth, DNP, RN, CLS, EBP-C

Assistant Professor of Nursing
MSN Program Director
(618) 537-2141
akgilbreth@mckendree.edu

 

Photo of Misty DickeyMisty Dickey, MS, RN

Instructor of Nursing
(618) 537-6437
madickey@mckendree.edu

 

 

Photo of Megan HoltmannMegan Holtmann, DNP, RN

Assistant Professor of Nursing
(618) 537-6841
maholtmann@mckendree.edu

 

 

Photo of Danielle Shubert, DNPDanielle Shubert, DNP, RN, CPNP

Assistant Professor of Nursing
(618) 537-6444
dshubert@mckendree.edu

 

 

Photo of Jill Parsons, Ph.D.Jill Parsons, Ph.D, R.N., CNE

Associate Professor of Nursing
(618) 537-6842
jlparsons@mckendree.edu

 

 

Colleen Frohling, DNP, RN

Lecturer of Nursing
(618) 537-2147
cmfrohling@mckendree.edu