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Master of Science in Nursing

Transform your nursing practice and elevate your leadership impact through one of Salem State University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs—designed for working professionals. The MSN programs will help you:  

  • expand your clinical expertise through classes such as advanced health assessment and pathophysiology, 
  • apply research that drives better patient outcomes, and 
  • gain the skills to lead change through value-based care, policy, and community health initiatives.  

Our programs offer flexibility and engagement through online and hybrid formats - all while letting you choose a learning pathway that works best for you: MSN–Generalist Track (accelerated, 12-month or part-time, 24-month options) and MSN–Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) (accelerated, 24-month or part-time, 36-month options). 

Expand your scope of practice, strengthen your leadership, and make a lasting impact on the future of healthcare. 

Apply Now

Program Features

Program Features 

  • Two-track options: Students can choose between two track options: General (no specialization) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP).

  • Flexible completion time: Students can start the program in either the Spring or Fall semester.

    • The General track can be completed in an accelerated 12-month format or part-time 24-month format. 

    • The AGPCNP track can be completed in a 24-month format or part-time 36-month format.

  • Course modality: Courses are offered online (asynchronous and synchronous) or hybrid in the evening, with the exception of the field experience. .

  • Low residency program: Two in-person Saturdays during NUR 812 Advanced Health Assessment and a standard patient training (additional cost) in Worcester 

  • Small class sizes: Most courses have between 10 to 15 students. 

  • World-class faculty: Faculty teaching the courses are nationally certified nurse educators with extensive teaching experience and research in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Faculty also have office hours for more support. 

  • Graduate assistantships: Opportunities to apply for graduate assistantships, grants, and scholarships. 

Master of Science in Nursing Tracks

General

Baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses can advance their practice without specializing.

Changes Effective Fall 2026 

To better address the hectic schedules of Registered Nurses, the majority of the program courses will be: 

  • Offered as quarter courses, except Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Practicum, which will remain semester-based. 

  • Moved to online and hybrid formats that blend synchronous and asynchronous learning. 

  • Offered mostly asynchronously, with select synchronous components included for engagement and support

Curriculum*

Our 30-credit program consists of 10 courses across three terms (fall, spring, summer course offerings), including a 180-hour clinical field experience.

SAMPLE COURSES

  • NUR 742N - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
  • NUR 855 - Population Health and Policy
  • NUR 813 - Advanced Pharmacology
  • NUR 814 - Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

*Subject to change; accurate for the 2026-2027 academic year. Actual course offerings and time to degree may occasionally vary, depending on program enrollment, students’ full-time or part-time status, and other factors. 

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)

Students who successfully complete this program are eligible to sit for board exams and earn a certification to be licensed to practice as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) from the American Nurses Credentialing Â鶹³ÉÈ˾«Æ· (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

Curriculum*

Our 45-credit program consists of 14 courses across seven terms (24 months), including three 180-hour clinical field experiences (combined 540 hours total). 

SAMPLE COURSES

  • NUR 742N - Theoretical Foundations of Nursing
  • NUR 814 - Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
  • NUR 833 - Common Problems in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
  • NUR 837 - Complex Problems in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care

*Subject to change; accurate for the 2026-2027 academic year. Actual course offerings and time to degree may occasionally vary, depending on program enrollment, students’ full-time or part-time status, and other factors. 

Take the Next Step

Apply now!

Contact Us

Want to learn more about the nursing program? Contact the program coordinator .

For admissions-related questions, please contact graduate admissions. 

Graduate Admissions

978.542.6200
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5 pm
331 Lafayette St.
Second Floor,
Salem, MA 01970
Mailing Address:
352 Lafayette St.
Salem, MA 01970
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