Dual Bachelor's and Master's Program: 4+1 BSN-MSN
The 4+1 program allows School of Nursing and Health Professions students to simultaneously start work on their MSN degree while earning their BSN.
The requirements for the BSN remain the same as for non-dual degree students. Beginning in the second semester of their Junior year, students enroll in master's level courses, completing both degrees in as little as five (5) years.
There is no reduction of required clinical hours for the BSN or practicum hours for the MSN. The MSN program requires 400 hours in the last two semesters of the MSN program. These graduate practicum hours must be completed in addition to the BSN clinicals. The emphases of BSN and MSN clinicals differ in topic and scope. The BSN clinicals are designed to provide a student with experience in various specialties and patient populations along with pre-licensure nursing skills; the MSN practicums are focused on systems assessment and management, and implementation of a quality-improvement project. The MSN program does not have a capstone experience; however, there is 200-hour practicum and a 200-hour internship during the last two semesters of the MSN program.
For the BSN-MSN program, all MSN courses are offered online. None of the classes are offered on ground; however, these courses have the same objectives as the original MSN program, as designed by the MSN faculty.
Before applying, we strongly encourage students to consider the time and dedication that this program will require, as it will replace most electives during the last two years of earning the BSN. A student may start the program and then choose not continue, completing only the BSN, once those requirements have been fulfilled.
Students will be given access to the application during the Junior 1 semester by pre-licensure administrative staff.
Tuition & Financial Aid
While students are still working on their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the master's level courses that are taken will be included in their standard full-time undergraduate tuition rate. Once a student in the program has completed their BSN degree, any remaining master's level courses will be billed at the graduate tuition rate. More information regarding tuition rates may be found on the Student Enrollment Services website. Participation in this program allows students to save money by taking graduate level courses at an undergraduate rate.
Once you have completed your BSN, you will pay the graduate tuition rate for the remaining courses toward your master's degree. Tuition may rise and other costs may vary according to the number of semesters that you take to complete your graduate program. Please note that tuition rates and fees are subject to change, and more information about tuition and graduate student fees can be found on the university tuition and fees schedule.
Tuition & Financial Aid Information
FAQS
Yes. All non-nursing and core course for the BSN degree need to be completed by the end of the Junior 1 semester.
A student may start the program and then choose not to continue, completing only the BSN, once those requirements have been fulfilled.
Yes, the MSN program requires 400 hours in the last two semesters of the MSN program. These graduate practicum hours must be completed in addition to the BSN clinicals.
The BSN clinicals are designed to provide a student with experience in various specialties and patient populations along with pre-licensure nursing skills, while the MSN practicums are focused on systems assessment and management, and implementation of of a quality improvement project.
The MSN program does not have a capstone experience; however, there is 200-hour practicum and a 200-hour internship during the last two semesters of the MSN program.
For the BSN-MSN program, all MSN courses are offered online.
No, these courses have the same objectives, as designed by the MSN faculty. For a sample curriculum, please see our catalog.
While students are still working on their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the master's level courses that are taken will be included in their standard full-time undergraduate tuition rate. Once a student in the program has completed their BSN degree, any remaining master's level courses will be billed at the graduate tuition rate. More information regarding tuition rates may be found on the Student Enrollment Services website. As a result of this program, students save money by taking graduate level courses at an undergraduate rate.
While a student is completing the undergraduate portion of the program, all undergraduate financial aid is still available because the graduate courses count as elective credits. Once a student is in the master's only level of the program, financial aid is primarily Federal or private loans. View more information on graduate financial aid.