Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Family Nurse Practitioner Program
Advance your career with a specialized degree.
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program in the Berkeley College School of Health Studies is designed to help you expand your career options and increase your earning potential in one of today’s most in-demand areas of nursing.
The Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Specialization program at Berkeley College is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
The MSN program offers many benefits:
- Executive format designed for working nurses
- The programs can be completed in as little as 2.25 years through part-time study
- Up to 9 credits can be transferred from other MSN programs
- 100% online synchronous coursework*
You’ll learn from experienced professionals who offer personal attention, and comprehensive support services and resources are available, including career assistance for graduates.
* Some classes/simulations must be taken onsite at our Woodland Park campus. The program also includes off-site clinical rotations.
Catalog
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Program
You’ll find additional information in our Catalog, including the different degrees offered, descriptions of the courses you’ll take, the department faculty, and much more. You can always live chat or contact us with questions.
Locations Offered
To accommodate varying schedules and work time commitments, the MSN program is offered in a hybrid format with lecture courses being conducted online in a synchronous format. The program also contains clinical courses, which are to be completed at off-site facilities. Several courses contain a simulation requirement, which must be completed at the Woodland Park campus.
Frequently Asked Questions: MSN Program
By earning a master’s degree in nursing, you have more options for upward mobility. Nurses possessing their MSN degree have the ability to:
- Achieve higher entry-level earnings
- Continue their education and carry out research
- Enter a stable career path that has many job opportunities
- Secure leadership roles
- Become an expert in the field while gaining the respect of your workplace colleagues
- Achieve personal fulfillment
The Berkeley College Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program offers nurse professionals the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge of nursing theory, research, informatics, and health policy. You will care to diverse populations and cohorts of patients in clinical and community-based systems, and implement safe and quality practices in a variety of settings and roles.
The Family Nurse Practitioner track does require individuals to be employed as a Registered Nurse in direct patient care settings.
Yes. All students wishing to apply to the MSN program are required to possess a current RN license. Make sure your license is current prior to submitting your application.
Students are required to have a BSN degree from an accredited college or university including courses in statistics, research, and physical assessment. Applicants for the MSN program are expected to possess a solid academic foundation in the health sciences and extensive clinical preparation.
The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Berkeley College is open to licensed professional nurses who possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Applicants must also show proof of having completed courses in statistics, research, and physical assessment. Please see the MSN Admission page for additional information on Admission requirements.
Applications for the Family Nurse Practitioner program are considered for admission to the Woodland Park and Online MSN program for the fall, winter, and spring semesters. The application deadline is one week before classes begin. All admissions documents must be submitted by that date.
Applications are accepted on a rolling admission for all options. An offer of admission will be valid for 12 months from the start date of the program. Applicants denied admission will be allowed to reapply after 180 days.
To accommodate varying schedules and work time commitments, the MSN program is offered in a hybrid format with lecture courses being conducted online in a synchronous format. The program also contains clinical courses, which are to be completed at off-site facilities. Several courses contain a simulation requirement, which must be completed at the Woodland Park campus.
No, the Program does not require applicants to submit GMAT or GRE scores.
The amount of time to complete the program will depend on your course load per semester. The sample program sequences provide more detailed information on the number of semesters necessary to complete the MSN program.
Your education at Berkeley will help you reach your potential in both personal and career goals. While Berkeley College cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Earning an MSN degree can open up many new career options and increase your earning potential. There are numerous career paths for the Family Nurse Practitioner including:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Chronic Pain Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Case Manager
- Nurse Researcher
- Nurse Advocate
- Nursing Director/Manager/Coordinator
To learn more about funding your education, read our Guide to Financial Aid.
The MSN program is designed to allow the working nurse to advance in her/his MSN degree while continuing to work within the community. With the various course offering delivery formats, students can incorporate their course and student schedule into their professional life.
The Family Nurse Practitioner track requires 630 clinical practice hours and simulation training that will be conducted both on campus and virtually.
Yes, the MSN Capstone courses require students to complete a project related to their specialization. The project will incorporate a variety of weekly deliverables that measure the student’s progress toward meeting the program outcomes.
Why Choose Berkeley?
Curriculum Quality and Professional Relevance
The MSN program is designed around career preparedness and the development of specialization-specific competencies. It integrates the educational standards established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) in The Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing.
Capstone and Practicum experience
The integrated capstone allows students to apply what they’re learning in the field, and each practicum involves on-site supervised training. The capstone course, paired with the practicum experience, allows the student to work with an organization to solve real-world challenges that they will face in their career as advanced practical nurses by using the best available evidence.
Admissions Associates
Our Admissions Associates are dedicated to supporting you. They’ll help you navigate the Admissions process, and answer all your questions about Berkeley College.
Faculty
Our faculty is passionate and committed to helping you succeed in your field. Most faculty members in the MSN program have doctoral degrees. Students benefit from their professors’ extensive academic and professional experience from nursing and different public service settings.
Academic Advisors
Our Academic Advisors will provide you with the tools to achieve your goals and help make sure you stay on track to meet program requirements.
Career Services
Our Career Services team works with students, alumni, and partner employers, providing job placement, identifying career opportunities, developing career search strategies, personal branding, and an overall career development plan for lifelong success.
Berkeley College reserves the right to add, discontinue, or modify its programs and policies at any time. Modifications subsequent to the original publication of this document may not be reflected here. For up-to-date and detailed information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu and view our catalogs at BerkeleyCollege.edu/Publications
Testimonial
Wanetta Vita
MSN Student
“Choosing Berkeley was a no-brainer. In the LPN to BSN program, the education I was receiving was far superior than at my previous school. The faculty are very mentoring and respond in a very timely fashion. You’re not just a number and they really want you to succeed. As an MSN student, I’m expanding my skills and really preparing for a future in a Nurse Practitioner role. I’d like to continue in cardiothoracic care.”
