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Online Accelerated RN to MSN Nursing Program (RN-BSN-MSN)
Classes Begin: TBD2-4 years
Fully Online
Varies
CCNE-accredited, BSN awarded at the same time as the MSN
***The RN-BSN-MSN program is not currently accepting new students. We invite you to learn more about the RN-MSN Bridge program that is currently offered.***
Drexel’s Dual Accelerated RN-BSN-MSN program is uniquely designed for nurses who have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. The program emphasizes the development of competencies related to the use of technology, evidence-based practice, customization of care, health team and interdisciplinary leadership, and outcome and risk assessment within the selected specialty track.
Second degree registered nurses (RNs) who wish to pursue a BSN in an accelerated time frame may take 18 quarter credits at the BSN level and then directly matriculate into one of the MSN Advanced Role and Nurse Practitioner programs.
RN-BSN-MSN Program at a Glance
- Consistently ranked among the best online Master's in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report
- After successfully completing the 18 undergraduate bridge credits, a mandatory portfolio, and being accepted into the MSN program, you will progress directly into graduate-level coursework
- The BSN is awarded at the same time you complete the MSN
- Emphasizes evidence-based approaches to the solution of clinical problems, assessment of nursing and healthcare outcomes, clinical decision-making, and the design of nursing care for clinical populations at the clinical unit or similar small system level, lateral care integration, and clinically based leadership
- Practicum experiences provide opportunities to deepen your skills and develop additional competencies for the advanced role
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to:
- Take on leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings
- Practice within a legal and ethical framework of healthcare delivery
- Demonstrate critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision-making
- Integrate technologies and relevant theories into the organization and synthesis of health data required to develop plans of care for patients, families, and communities
- Demonstrate leadership through involvement in the development of outcome-based standards of care and practice-based health policy issues
- Evaluate and modify the quality and effectiveness of clinical practice based on current research findings, standards of care, and patient outcomes
- Contribute to the advancement of nursing, healthcare, and humanity through communication, collaboration, and education
To apply, please complete the admission process to the MSN program of your choice and seek initial advisement from the MSN program academic advisors.
MSN Advanced Role Concentrations
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management
- Quality, Safety, and Risk Management
MSN Nurse Practitioner Concentrations
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan) with Emergency Specialization
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Dual Option)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women's Health/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner
Online Open Houses
Learn more about this and other nursing programs from our previously recorded online open house webinar series.
Questions? We're here to help!
College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
The RN-BSN-MSN program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
Drexel University is transitioning to a semester calendar system as of Fall 2027. View the semester program of study for this program.
View a Sample Plan of Study [PDF]
BSN Bridge Courses
| BSN Courses | ||
| NURS 333 | Appreciative Inquiry into Nursing: Science, Theory, and Patterns of Knowing | 4.5 |
| NURS 341 | Using Genetics and Genomics to Inform Nursing Care Delivery | 4.5 |
| NURS 347 | Educating Patients, Professionals, and the Public to Improve Health Outcomes | 4.5 |
| NURS 348 | Responding to the Challenges of Global and Population-based Health Needs | 4.5 |
| Portfolio Assessment * | 15.0 | |
| MSN Core Courses | ||
| NURS 500 | Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments | 3.0 |
| NURS 502 | Advanced Ethical Decision Making in Health Care | 3.0 |
| NURS 544 | Quality and Safety in Healthcare | 3.0 |
| RSCH 503 | Research Methods and Biostatistics | 3.0 |
| RSCH 504 | Evaluation and Translation of Health Research | 3.0 |
| MSN Concentration - select one from the options below | 30.0-31.0 | |
| Total Credits | 78.0-79.0 | |
*Students will not register for "Portfolio Assessment." Instead they will receive 15.0 credits at the completion of an approved assessment.
MSN Concentrations (Select One)
Nursing Education
| IPS 617 | Simulation in Healthcare Education | 4.5 |
| NURS 574 | Advanced Integrative Clinical Concepts | 4.5 |
| NURS 591 | Foundations of Healthcare Education | 3.0 |
| NURS 606 | Curriculum Design for Higher Level Cognition | 3.0 |
| NURS 613 | The Role and Responsibility of the Nurse Educator | 3.0 |
| NURS 615 | Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation | 3.0 |
| NURS 616 | Teaching Methods in Nursing Education | 3.0 |
| NUPR 618 | Nursing Education Practicum I | 3.0 |
| NUPR 619 | Nursing Education Practicum II | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 30.0 | |
Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management
| NUPR 663 | Communication and Self-Awareness for Leadership | 4.5 |
| NUPR 664 | The Economics and Business of Healthcare | 4.5 |
| NUPR 665 | Managing Operations and Human Resources for Quality Outcomes of Care Delivery | 4.5 |
| NURS 568 | Practicum and Symposium in Healthcare Operations Management | 3.0 |
| NURS 569 | Practicum and Symposium in Technology and Management of Information in Healthcare Organizations | 3.0 |
| PROJ 501 | Introduction to Project Management | 3.0 |
| Electives* | 7.5 | |
| Total Credits | 30.0 | |
*Nursing Electives can be any course with the prefix Nursing (NURS, NUPR), Interprofessional Studies (IPS), or Complementary and Integrative Therapies (CIT), with course number ranging from 500-699.
Other graduate courses outside of these designations will need to be approved by the department chairperson.
Public Health Nursing
| CHP 561 | Overview of Issues in Global Health | 3.0 |
| EPI 570 | Introduction to Epidemiology | 3.0 |
| or NURS 531 | Epidemiology in Action: Tracking Health & Disease | |
| HMP 505 | Qualitative Data and Mixed Methods Analysis | 3.0 |
| IPS 511 | Collaboration with Vulnerable Populations | 3.0 |
| NURS 665 | Advanced Nursing Practice in Population Health | 5.0 |
| PBHL 510 | Public Health Foundations and Systems I | 4.0 |
| PBHL 511 | Public Health Foundations and Systems II | 4.0 |
| Electives (Nursing* or Public Health**) | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 31.0 | |
*Nursing Electives can be any course with the prefix Nursing (NURS, NUPR), Interprofessional Studies (IPS), or Complementary and Integrative Therapies (CIT), with a course number ranging from 500-699.
**Public Health Electives can be any course with the prefix Community Health and Prevention (CHP), Biostatistics (BST), Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH), Epidemiology (EPI), Health Management and Policy (HMP), with a course number ranging from 500-699.
Other graduate courses outside of these designations will need to be approved by the department chairperson.
Quality, Safety and Risk Management in Healthcare
| IPS 584 | Analysis of Performance Standards in Healthcare Quality | 3.0 |
| IPS 585 | Science of Safety, Human Factors, and System Thinking | 3.0 |
| IPS 587 | Safety Culture in Healthcare | 3.0 |
| IPS 601 | Quality, Safety and Risk Management Capstone | 5.0 |
| LSTU 551 | Compliance Skills: Auditing, Investigation & Reporting | 4.0 |
| LSTU 600 | Health Care Rules and Regulations | 4.0 |
| LSTU 601 | Health Care Quality, Patient Safety and Risk Management | 4.0 |
| LSTU 602 | Patients and Privacy: HIPAA and Related Regulations | 4.0 |
| Total Credits | 30.0 | |
MSN Concentration Courses
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan) with Emergency Specialization
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care and Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Dual Option)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Quality, Safety, and Risk Management
- Women's Health/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- BSN degrees must be from an institution accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education), ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), or NLN CNEA (NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- If your GPA is lower, you're still encouraged to apply, but should ensure that relevant professional experience is included on your resume. You must also provide two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study.
- While specific clinical work and/or volunteer experience is not required, it may make your application more competitive.
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools)
- Two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study
- If you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, this requirement can be waived
- Personal statement describing your interest in the program and particular specialty
- Resume
- Copy of your United States RN license
- Additional requirements for International Students
An admissions interview may be required.
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2026-2027 is $1169 per credit. (A 10% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1298 per credit)
For the academic year 2026-2027, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans, you may not be able to combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2026-2027 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2026
September 22, 2026
December 5, 2026
December 7, 2026
December 12, 2026
Winter 2027
January 4, 2027
March 13, 2027
March 15, 2027
March 20, 2027
Spring 2027
March 29, 2027
June 5, 2027
June 7, 2027
June 12, 2027
Summer 2027
June 21, 2027
August 7, 2027
August 9, 2027
August 14, 2027
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