Master of Science in Nursing Programs

Visit the Online Tuition and Fees page for the latest information.

No, there is no deposit required.

Yes, a range of payment plans are available to accommodate students’ personal finance and employer reimbursement needs.

Yes, students have to pay per semester for the Online Student Fee.

Depending on your specific program level, you may also need to pay the Malpractice Fee (applies to courses NURS 3316, 5305, 5223, 5400), fees per clinical course (once per term if they follow progression), and per course Amplify Fee (NURS 5501).

Visit the Online Tuition and Fees page for the latest program-specific information.

You need a valid RN license.

For the RN to BSN to MSN, MSN Nurse Leader, MSN-PNP it does not have to be specific to Texas.

For MSN-FNP, you need a valid, Texas-specific, RN license.

All BSN level courses are 8 weeks in length and the bridge and MSN courses are 16 weeks in length.

MSN in Nurse Education courses are 16 weeks each semester.

The RN-MSN program has 6 start dates offered per year: January, March, May, July, August, and October.

The MSN-FNP, MSN Nurse Educator, and MSN Leader programs have two start dates per year (January and August).

The MSN-PNP program has one start date per year (May).

You have the ability to move through the program at your own pace.

The RN to BSN to MSN  program can be completed in as little as 3 years. Students have 5 years to complete the RN-MSN program. The BSN level courses must be completed within 3 years.

The MSN programs can be completed in as little as two years, or within 24-26 months.

The MSN-PNP programcan be completed in seven semesters.

You must maintain a cumulative 2.75 GPA at the end of each semester to enroll in an upper level nursing course. If your GPA falls below this, you can enroll in general education courses and resume nursing courses as soon as a cumulative GPA of 2.75 has been reached. You must have a 3.0 GPA to continue into MSN level courses.

The BSN level courses are accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing.

The MSN curriculum, which includes the bridge courses, is CCNE accredited.

Nursing courses are asynchronous without live class meetings, meaning you can complete work at your convenience, though you still need to respect weekly due dates. All clinical hours take place in person at an approved facility near you.

Consider your career goals when deciding between the Nurse Education and Nurse Leadership tracks. Nurse educators train and evaluate new nurses at their organization to make sure everyone can uphold high standards. Nurse leaders need to understand operations and finance so they can effectively manage their facility’s nursing staff. Each Master of Science in Nursing degree will equip you for those careers specifically with overlapping core courses.

We designed our programs for working nurses, so you can complete coursework at your convenience. HCU seeks to keep nurses working while they study for their next degree. All coursework is asynchronous, and program administrators try to place students in clinical rotations with their current employer or in a nearby facility for maximum convenience, enabling working nurses to retain their current jobs while earning their degrees.  Administrators will work with your employer to let you complete your clinical hours at your facility.

The FNP program has no live class meetings. You can do all coursework on your own time, but you’re still responsible for adhering to deadlines. Your clinical supervisor will work with you to set hours when you need to be present for clinical practice.

This MSN-FNP program teaches students to be generalists in the advanced practice registered nurse community. They learn to treat patients across the lifespan with a range of medical issues. FNP roles make up nearly three-quarters of the rapidly expanding NP job field, so they are in high demand.

The PNP program features a two-course sequence specific to this specialty. The PNP Pediatric Health courses cover the diagnosis, treatment, and management of illnesses and injuries commonly encountered in children. Students need to earn a B or above in both classes to graduate.

You can sign in to our learning management system at any time of day to access class materials. You’re free to connect with classmates for group projects but you never need to be online for a live class meeting. However, all clinical hours take place in person at scheduled times.