Master of Science in Nursing
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Grow Your Expertise, Increase Your Impact
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares professional nurses as advanced specialist, able to provide clinical practice expertise and systems-level leadership to elevate care across organizations. Graduates of the MSN program are eligible to take the CNS 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 skills to diagnose and manage complex clinical issues, lead evidence‑based practice initiatives, and empower interprofessional teams to improve outcomes and transform healthcare delivery.
MSN Course Progression Plans
To best meet the needs of working nurses, the MSN program is available to take either in a full time or part time format. Recommended course tracks are listed below.
FULL TIME CNS MSN
Fall Year 1:
- STA 610 - Applied Statistics for Health Professions
- NUR 600 - Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
- NUR 665 - Health Care System, Policy, Advocacy & Politics
Winter Year 1:
- NUR 666 - Epidemiology & Health Issues in Vulnerable Populations
- NUR 602 - Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
- NUR 667 - Advanced Nursing Leadership Roles in Complex Systems
Summer Year 1:
- NUR 645 - Lifespan Human Development
- NUR 603 - Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
- NUR 668 - Informatics in Health Care
Fall Year 2:
- NUR 669 - Quality Management for Healthcare Settings
- NUR 781 - Mental Health for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- NUR 604 - Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan & Diagnostic Reasoning
Winter Year 2:
- NUR 700 - Evidence-Based Practice and Scholarly Inquiry
- NUR 753 - CNS I (4 Didactic / 2 Clinical)
Summer Year 2:
- NUR 754 - CNS II (4 Didactic/ 3 Clinical)
Fall Year 3
- NUR 755 - CNS Didactic III, CNS II (4 Didactic/ 3 Clinical)
Winter Year 3
- NUR 756 - CNS Residency (2 Clinical)
PART TIME CNS MSN
Fall Year 1
- STA 610 - Applied Statistics for Health Professionals
- NUR 600 - Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
Winter Year 1
- NUR 666 - Epidemiology & Health Issues in Vulnerable Populations
- NUR 602 - Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Summer Year 1
- NUR 645- Lifespan Human Development
- NUR 668 - Informatics in Health Care
Fall Year 2
- NUR 665 - Health Care System, Policy, Advocacy & Politics
- NUR 669 - Quality Management for Healthcare Settings
Winter Year 2
- NUR 667 - Advanced Nursing Leadership Roles in Complex Systems
- NUR 700 - Evidence-Based Practice and Scholarly Inquiry
Summer Year 2
- NUR 603 - Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan
Fall Year 3
- NUR 781 - Mental Health for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- NUR 604 - Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan & Diagnostic Reasoning
Winter Year 3
- NUR 753 - CNS I CNS I (4 Didactic/ 2 Clinical)
Summer Year 3
- NUR 754 - CNS II (4 Didactic/ 3 Clinical)
Fall Year 4
- NUR 755 - CNS Didactic III, CNS II (4 Didactic/ 3 Clinical)
Winter Year 4
- NUR 756 - CNS Residency
Completion of the program will prepare graduates to pursue CNS certification with the following populations:
- Adult Gerontology
- Pediatric
*The CNS MSN Course Curriculum is currently being reviewed by GVSU's curriculum committee, with pending approval anticipated for the start of the Fall 2026 semester.
Not in West Michigan? No Problem!
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
Ready to Get Started?
Applications are now open for a start date of Fall 2026 in the MSN program. Preferred admissions will be considered for those who apply by May 1. If program seats remain available, applications will be considered after May 1.
Do you have questions about the program or the application process? Contact Mike Stoll, Graduate Student Advisor at [email protected].
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.