What Is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)?

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate-level nursing degree that prepares licensed registered nurses (RNs)—and, through select pathways, non-nurses—for advanced clinical practice, nursing education, leadership, public health, and other specialized roles. An MSN typically takes between 16 and 28 months to complete and includes both online didactic coursework and supervised in-person clinical or practicum hours.

Choosing where to earn your MSN is a major decision. Herzing University is proud to offer an MSN program designed to work with the goals—and the lives—of working nurses. Herzing offers nine MSN specialty tracks, multiple entry pathways, 100% online classroom coursework, and a pledged clinical placement for APRN specializations.

The master’s degree program in nursing at Herzing University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).¹ Herzing is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs for 2026.

In this article, we look at what an MSN is, what you’ll study, and what you can expect from the Herzing University MSN experience.

What an MSN Degree Is Designed to Do

The MSN expands your nursing expertise beyond bedside care. Whether you’re advancing as a working RN, transitioning from an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) to a graduate credential, or entering nursing for the first time as a career changer, the program is designed to prepare you for the next step in your career.

After completing the MSN, you should:

• Master advanced nursing theory across pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment
• Apply evidence-based practice and nursing research to real clinical or systems-level problems
• Demonstrate leadership, ethical reasoning, and a working understanding of U.S. health policy
• Be qualified to sit for national certification in your chosen specialty (for clinical tracks)
• Be prepared to step into advanced clinical, education, leadership, or public health roles

Note that your career options after completing an MSN will depend on your prior experience and where you work. For example, a nurse who enters the profession for the first time via the Herzing MSN-Direct Entry program (MSN-DE) will need to gain work experience and complete additional education before qualifying for certain roles.

What MSN Pathways Are Available?

Herzing offers multiple MSN entry points for nurses with or without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), as well as a direct entry option for non-nurses. The right pathway depends on your existing credentials and your career goal.

The available pathways are:

• BSN to MSN – for RNs who already hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a current, active and unrestricted RN license. Coursework moves directly into graduate study.
• ADN/ASN to MSN bridge – for RNs with an ADN or ASN and an active, unencumbered license. You’ll have the option to complete our RN to BSN program as part of the RN to MSN pathway—some employers require this step. Or, you can enroll directly into an Accelerated RN to MSN program without stopping for a BSN.
• Direct Entry MSN – for career changers with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This 20-24 month pre-licensure program prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and earn graduate credits toward an MSN specialization.

All three pathways share the same rigorous curriculum, the same online format, and the same commitment to your clinical placement.

MSN Pathways Compared

What You’ll Study: The Herzing MSN Core Curriculum

The MSN core curriculum at Herzing builds on your prior nursing knowledge with deeper clinical and systems-level content. Core graduate-level topics include:

• Advanced pharmacology
• Advanced pathophysiology
• Advanced health assessment
• Nursing research and evidence-based practice
• Health policy, ethics, and healthcare systems
• Nursing informatics, quality improvement, and interprofessional collaboration

Each specialty track adds focused coursework on top of the core. Specialties break down into clinical or non-clinical tracks.

MSN Specialties: Clinical vs. Non-Clinical Tracks

Herzing offers several MSN specialty tracks, divided into clinical and non-clinical options. Clinical tracks prepare you for advanced practice nursing roles and require extensive supervised clinical hours. Non-clinical tracks emphasize education, leadership, and population health, with practicum experiences in those settings.

Clinical specialty tracks prepare you for advanced practice nursing roles and typically take 24 to 28 months:

• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)
• Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP)

Non-clinical specialty tracks focus on education, leadership, and systems-level nursing and typically take 16 to 28 months:

• Nursing Education (Nurse Educator)
• Nursing Leadership and Administration
• Public Health Nursing

All specialties require graduates to take and pass a relevant board certification exam. Preparation for these exams is built into the Herzing curriculum.

How the Online MSN Format Works at Herzing

The Herzing MSN delivers all didactic coursework—that is, coursework that would usually take place in a traditional classroom—100% online. Your online classroom is accessible 24/7. You can watch lectures, participate in discussions, and submit assignments on your own schedule, which makes it easier to balance graduate study with work and family responsibilities. Herzing also uses adaptive learning technology to personalize the pace of your study for some classes.

Clinical and practicum hours, however, take place in person:

• For nurse practitioner tracks, you’ll complete at least 500 supervised patient care hours in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare facilities near you—the exact number of hours varies by specialty.
• For non-clinical tracks, your practicum may include teaching observations, administrative projects, or community health assessments.

Clinical Placement Support

Securing a clinical placement site and a supervisor is one of the biggest concerns MSN students have. That’s why Herzing pledges your clinical placement. Our team works to connect you with appropriate clinical sites for your specialty and location, supporting your success through your practicum and clinical coursework.²

The Direct Entry MSN: An Option for Career Changers

The MSN Direct Entry pathway is for people who want to change careers. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, the MSN-DE option makes it possible for you to prepare to become a registered nurse and earn a graduate-level credential at the same time. In roughly 20 to 24 months of full-time study, you’ll complete pre-licensure nursing education plus the core MSN coursework.

The program prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN, the licensing exam to become an RN. However, you’ll also have the foundation you need to pursue a post-master’s certificate program to prepare for a specialty.

Online or Hybrid Formats for the MSN-DE

Direct entry students who study online are required to complete in-person intensives at either our Brookfield, Wisconsin campus or our Nashville, Tennessee campus. These intensives include hands-on labs and simulations designed to teach you patient care skills before you begin your clinical placements. 

MSN-DE students benefit from the same online didactic format and adaptive learning technology available to other Herzing MSN students.

When Is the Right Time to Earn an MSN?

There’s no single right time. Some RNs pursue an MSN right after earning their BSN, while others wait five to ten years to gain clinical experience first.

Common signals it may be time to consider an MSN:

• You’re ready to move from bedside care to a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or leadership role
• You’ve reached a professional plateau and need a graduate credential to advance
• You want to specialize in a specific population (e.g., pediatrics, psychiatric mental health, women’s health)
• You’re a career changer with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree drawn to nursing
• You want a flexible online format that fits around work and family

Because Herzing’s MSN is online with rolling admissions and full- or part-time options, you can start when life lines up.

Career Opportunities After Earning an MSN

An MSN expands your career options significantly. The path you take depends on the specialization you choose.

Common roles by track include:

• Clinical tracks (FNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, PNP, PMHNP, WHNP): Advanced clinical practice in hospitals, clinics, group practices, long-term care facilities or even private practice, with prescriptive authority defined by your state’s regulations
• Nursing Education: Teaching positions in academic programs or hospital-based clinical staff development
• Nursing Leadership and Administration: Management, executive, or operational roles in hospitals, health systems, and clinics
• Public Health Nursing: Roles in community health, government agencies, and population health programs

Continuing Your Education Beyond the MSN

For many graduates, the MSN is a stepping stone, not an endpoint. Herzing offers several pathways to continue your education:

• Post Master’s Certificates – Add a specialty track without earning a second master’s degree.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – A 20- to 24-month doctoral program for advanced clinical or leadership practice.
• Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE) – A 20- to 28-month program that prepares nurses with MSNs to become doctorally prepared nurse educators.

Herzing pledges your clinical placement throughout DNP APRN coursework as well, so you’ll have access to the practice hours you need.

Take the Next Step Toward Your MSN

An MSN degree opens doors to advanced knowledge and skills that can change the way you care for patients—and help you take on leadership roles that lead to better care for all. 

Whether you’re a working RN, a BSN-prepared nurse, or a career changer, the Herzing MSN could be right for you. To learn more about the program, explore specialty tracks, or begin the admissions process, reach out to the Herzing admissions team or request more information today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Herzing MSN take?

It depends on your specialty and pace. Nurse practitioner tracks typically take 24 to 32 months. Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership, and Public Health Nursing take 16 to 28 months. The Direct Entry MSN takes roughly 20 to 24 months, depending on the prerequisites you need to take. Part-time study extends your timeline.

Is the Herzing MSN accredited?

Yes. The master’s degree program in nursing at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).¹ Herzing University is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 

Do I need a BSN to start an MSN at Herzing?

No. Herzing offers an Accelerated RN to MSN program for RNs with an ADN or ASN, and a Direct Entry MSN for non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field. RNs who already hold a BSN can enroll directly in the BSN to MSN pathway.

Is the Herzing MSN fully online?

Didactic (classroom) coursework is 100% online and accessible 24/7. Clinical and practicum hours (and in-person intensives, for MSN-DE students) take place in person at healthcare facilities near you.

Can I work while earning my MSN?

Yes. Many Herzing students work full-time while studying (though MSN-DE students may find working during clinical rotations difficult). The online format, rolling admissions, and part-time pacing options support working nurses.

Does Herzing help with clinical placement?

Yes. Herzing pledges clinical placement as part of our MSN and RN to MSN APRN programs², supporting your efforts to connect with healthcare sites that align with your specialty and location.

What financial aid is available for the Herzing MSN?

Eligible MSN students may qualify for the Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship, which provides a 10% tuition reduction. Federal financial aid and additional options may also be available; contact the Herzing admissions team for guidance.

What can I do after I earn my Herzing MSN?

You can pursue advanced practice, teaching, leadership, or public health roles—or continue your education through a Post Master’s Certificate, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or the Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE).

Disclosures

1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

2. Terms and conditions apply as outlined in the Graduate Catalog. Students must follow Herzing University's Clinical Guidance Process and meet all placement deadlines to qualify for the Clinical Placement Pledge. The Clinical Placement Pledge does not apply for the MSN Direct Entry program.