MSN Program FAQ's

Whether you work days, nights or weekends, our programs are structured to fit your busy lifestyle. Many of our course experiences are offered entirely online, so they can be done from wherever you are. You should expect 20-24 hours of schoolwork per week during the first year, about 18-20 hours per week through your clinical courses plus 2-3 days at your clinical site.

The MSN program takes 5-6 semesters to complete, but you have up to six years to complete the program. You'll take 15-week courses in the spring, summer and fall semesters.

Most MSN students take two 15-week courses each semester for 5-9 total credits. If you take fewer courses, you might take longer to complete your program. As you consider financial aid or tuition reimbursement programs, remember that the definition of a "full-time" program can differ. 

The cost per credit depends on which MSN track you choose. For current tuition information, visit the MSN Tuition page .

The total tuition depends on which MSN track you choose. For current tuition information, visit the MSN Tuition page .

Additional costs include an instructional fee, a general fee, an IT network fee and a program fee. For current tuition information, visit the MSN Tuition page .

Ohio University offers a selection of institutional scholarships; visit the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to learn more.

In addition, MSN applicants who are OHIO alumni, have served in the U.S. military or work with corporate partners are eligible to receive an incentive scholarship of up to 15% for eligible online graduate programs. [Contact us] for more information.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Ohio University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .

Ohio University School of Nursing has established itself as one of the leading nursing schools in Ohio. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked OHIO among the Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs:

• #46 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs (tie)
• #11 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs for Veterans (tie)

Applicants with a bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution that is not regionally accredited must submit official GRE or GMAT scores and proof of active BSN licensure. Visit the MSN Admissions page to learn more.

No. GRE and GMAT scores are not required for applicants who have a BSN from a regionally accredited institution. However, if your BSN is not from a regionally accredited institution, you will need to submit GRE or GMAT scores. For students with a 3.2 GPA or lower, exam scores may improve your application prospects. Visit the MSN Admissions page  to learn more.

The first step is to start your online application  and gather relevant materials. Visit the MSN Admissions page  to learn more.

Yes, all transcripts must be submitted to the Graduate College for this application, even if they have been submitted to Undergraduate Admissions previously. Please request an official transcript be sent directly to:

Ohio University Graduate College

Grosvenor Hall 102

1 Ohio University

Athens OH 45701-2979 USA

If your institution allows electronic submission of transcripts, the email address is graduate@ohio.edu .

Yes. You must provide evidence of two years of full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years. Visit the MSN Admissions page to learn more.

It may be possible to transfer graduate credit; please get in touch with the MSN academic advisor to begin the process. Visit the MSN Admissions page  to learn more about transfer credit.

You can submit your online application at any time. The MSN program has 1-2 start dates per year, depending on your chosen track. Visit the MSN Admissions page  to learn more.

You'll need a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 calculated across all undergraduate transcripts. Visit the MSN Admissions page  to learn more.

In addition to your online application , you'll need to submit other materials such as transcripts, proof of licensure and letters of recommendation. Visit the MSN Admissions page  to learn more.

The program combines online coursework and in-person learning opportunities. You'll take courses online and travel only for required on-campus intensives. Software applications utilized in nursing classes will work on a PC or Mac. Office 365 Pro Plus is required and available to Ohio University students at no charge.

The total number of credits varies from 30-40 credit hours, depending on your chosen track. 

Yes, the online MSN offers five tracks:

• Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) : Provide advanced patient management and care in acute and complex settings. Prepare for certification as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.
• Family Nurse Practitioner : Build advanced practice skills for primary care settings and prepare to sit for the AANP or ANCC certification exam.
• Nurse Educator : Pursue teaching positions in academic or clinical settings and prepare for the Certified Nurse Educator exam.
• Nurse Leader : Expands your skills to include essential nursing leadership capabilities. Explore careers in nursing management, such as a nurse leader or nurse manager.
• PMHNP : Provide advanced nursing practice to patients and families with mental health needs. Prepare for certification as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.

• AG-ACNPclinicals are usually completed in acute-care settings such as critical care units, hospital-based medicine and emergency units with an approved preceptor and an assigned clinical supervisor.
• Family Nurse Practitionerclinicals are usually completed in primary-care offices or hospital/community-based clinics with an approved preceptor and an assigned clinical supervisor.
• PMHNPclinicals are usually completed in private or community mental health agencies, correctional facilities, school-based health centers or substance-abuse treatment facilities with an approved preceptor and an assigned clinical supervisor.
• Nurse Educatorpracticums are usually completed in academic nursing schools or a professional development unit within a health care organization.
• Nurse Leaderpracticums are usually completed within organizational units of health care organizations.

Students are permitted to identify their preceptors with faculty approval. Alternatively, the Graduate Clinical Coordinator can help facilitate clinical placements. Larger hospital systems may have a centralized process for assigning preceptors that students are required to use, and often, those requests must be made well in advance. Fees may apply.

On-campus Intensives (OCIs) are scheduled visits to a campus for specific instruction and assessment. These OCIs typically occur at a program's beginning, middle and end. The virtual orientation intensive for all programs consists of a half-day virtual conference.

The OCI associated with the first clinical course for APRN programs is an on-campus learning experience to receive task-specific instruction and coaching in preparation for the advanced practice role.

The schedule and details for program-specific OCIs will be provided during orientation.

The amount and type of practicum hours depend on your chosen track. Visit the MSN Overview page  to learn more about each track's requirements.

The AG-ACNP, Family Nurse Practitioner, and PMHNP degree and certificate programs at Ohio University are intended to prepare students for advanced practice nursing and national certification in those areas. State boards of nursing set individual standards for licensure in their state. It is highly recommended that students who seek admission to nursing programs at Ohio University contact their home state's Board of Nursing to verify that the desired program and its graduates will meet the eligibility criteria for approval for those credentials. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has contact information for each state available on their site located here: www.ncsbn.org .

Our programs are intended to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the educational eligibility to meet standards for APRN certification or other professional distinctions through examination. A list of examinations and their credentialing bodies is below. For the best information regarding eligibility and criteria for these examinations, please visit the website for the credentialing bodies.

Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AG-ACNP)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc

Family Nurse Practitioner

• Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc
• Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (NP)
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP): www.aanpcert.org

Nurse Educator

• Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
• National League of Nursing (NLN): www.nln.org

Nurse Leader

• Eligibility is dependent upon experience criteria in addition to education.
• Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP)
• American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL): www.aonl.org
• Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification (PMHNP)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): www.nursingworld.org/ancc

About 95% of OHIO graduates pass their certification exams on the first attempt.