Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)


Lead the next generation of nurses.

Next Start
Fall 2025
Online Format
Designed for
Working nurses
Academic Support
Individualized guidance and program plans
Clinical Placement
Coordinated for you by our dedicated, full-time placement coordinator

Graduate student in a clinical setting with a patient

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares professional nurses as advanced generalists to serve as leaders within the health care system. Graduates of the MSN program are eligible to take the CNL certification exam.

The MSN program is designed for working nurses and all courses are delivered fully online. You will have access to a dedicated full-time placement coordinator who manages all of your clinical placements and academic advisors who create tailored program plans for each student. Choose from full-time and part-time schedules to integrate graduate school into your busy life.

The MSN curriculum is designed to provide students with the leadership skills essential for the integration of evidence-based practice at the patient-provider interface and coordination of the care delivery process that will improve client outcomes in a cost-effective, fiscally responsible manner.


Why Choose Grand Valley's Kirkhof College of Nursing?

Graduate program campaign

Attend an Information Session

Next session TBD in November 2024

Fall 2024 Cohort

Applications are closed for the Fall 2024 Master of Science in Nursing program.
The next application cycle for the Fall 2025 cohort will open in January 2025 with a preferred deadline is May 1. Applications will be considered after May 1, if seats remain available.

Do you have questions about the program or the application process? Contact Mike Stoll, Graduate Student Advisor at [email protected]


Full-time MSN Course Progression Plan

Fall Year 1:

  • STA 610 - Applied Statistics for Health Professions: Project-oriented overview of major statistical techniques commonly used in problems encountered in health professions. Students will learn to use a major statistical computing package. Hypothesis testing, t-tests, regression, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, categorical data analysis, and nonparametric statistics. 
  • NUR 608 - Leadership Roles in Complex SystemsIn this course, students analyze and evaluate theories and research that influence leadership in complex systems. Leadership is explored in complex system domains. Core competencies for leadership effectiveness are examined and evaluated, with application in an experiential field experience.
  • NUR 607 - Health Care System Policy and Politics  - This course focuses on policy decisions related to organization, financing, and delivery of health care in global communities. It provides a basis for understanding political and social forces that shape nursing practice and health care delivery. Ethical dimensions of public policy will be applied in field experiences.

Winter Year 1: 

  • NUR 641 – Advanced Human Scienced: Clinical Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Advanced Assessment. This course provides basic theoretical foundations in pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology, and advanced assessment for understanding management of health problems of patient populations in varied settings.
  • NUR 698 - Scholarly Inquiry and Evidence-Based PracticeThis course focuses on the review and synthesis of literature to improve health care practice. Methodologic considerations and variable measurement are explored along with ethical considerations in human subjects. It is in sequence with statistics and quality improvement theory.
  • NUR 703 - Healthcare InformaticsThis course provides a detailed introduction to information systems and technologies that support systems of practice in healthcare. Relevant theories, as well as issues and standards including ethical and privacy concerns, are addressed. Strategies for building and managing information
    system components will be incorporated, with an opportunity for application in field experience.

Spring/Summer Year 1:

  • NUR 704 - Quality and Management in Healthcare - This course provides knowledge and expertise in the application of key concepts from quality improvement, implementation science and project management. A project plan will be designed during contextual field learning experiences..
  • NUR 625 - Health Issues in Vulnerable PopulationsThis course examines and incorporates epidemiologic methods and theories in the assessment of health disparities in vulnerable populations. Course content will explore issues in health access, disparities in U.S. populations, and examine current trends, societal consequences, and contributory cause(s).
  • NUR 643 – Adult Learning Principles for Health Professionals. This course focuses on the introduction and synthesis of foundational learning theories to improve health care education for individuals and groups. Methodologic applications and assessments will be implemented.

Fall Year 2:

  • NUR 615 - MSN Clinical Specialty Immersion/Capstone I
  • Elective - optional

Winter Year 2:

  • NUR 616 - MSN Clinical Specialty Immersion/Capstone II
  • Elective - optional

map of msn licensure locations

Earn your degree from GVSU wherever YOU are. Our online curriculum conveniently fits in your busy schedule and we now offer degrees for students living outside of Michigan including:

  • Florida 
  • Illinois                                
  • Indiana 
  • Kansas                                    
  • Maine                                      
  • Massachusetts 
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Vermont
  • Virginia

Contact Us
Let's talk about your academic goals today!

Contact one of our expert advisors in our Office of Student Services to schedule an appointment:
[email protected]
(616) 331-7160

Related Programs

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

Financial Aid

GVSU is a great place for students to invest in their futures. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships can help you maximize your investment by working with you to determine how to most effectively meet your unique needs. 


The Kirkhof College of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate programs prepare registered nurses to take the national certification exam in their area of specialty (clinical nurse leader, primary care adult/gerontology nurse practitioner, primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, or nurse executive). Graduates seeking to practice in a state other than Michigan must meet the requirements of that state. For more information regarding state licensure/certification requirements, please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website at https://www.ncsbn.org/14730.htm.



Page last modified August 7, 2024