Types of Master’s in Nursing Degrees to Consider
Written by:
University of Tulsa
• Jan 6, 2025
The first graduate program in nursing was developed in 1954. What began with an advanced degree in psychiatric nursing has evolved into an expansive number of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs across the country.
Nursing professionals who want to advance their careers should consider the different types of master’s in nursing degrees, including the master’s in nursing (MSN), which can lead to higher-paying leadership and clinical roles within health care. By earning an MSN, nurses can expand their expertise and qualify for roles that offer them the opportunity to shape patient care, influence policy, and lead health care teams.
How an MSN Program Works
There are different types of master’s in nursing degree programs offered online or in person that advance nurses’ professional development. Students can benefit from an accelerated curriculum that allows them to graduate within a streamlined time frame.
MSN programs help RNs build on their existing credentials and experience. MSN curricula combine core nursing courses with specialized clinical, leadership, or education-focused classes. The programs prepare RNs for advanced roles in health care, from clinical leadership roles to positions in specialized nursing fields, in a flexible and supportive environment. By gaining advanced skills and knowledge, nurses can contribute significantly to improving patients’ care and health outcomes.
These programs typically include opportunities for hands-on learning. The connections made with peers and faculty through these opportunities can enhance students’ professional networks in the health care industry. Ultimately, earning an MSN equips RNs with the tools to take on leadership positions and influence the future of nursing practice.
MSN Degree Options
Nursing graduate degree programs offer a range of specializations to prepare RNs for career advancement in specialized clinical fields. Graduate courses provide the proficiency required to shape health care policy, lead patient care teams, and drive innovation across various health care settings. Below are a few pathway options for an MSN.
MSN Entry Pathways
MSN programs offer different entry pathways based on a student’s educational background and nursing experience. RN-to-MSN, BSN-to-MSN, and direct-entry MSN pathways are among the most common options. Below are descriptions of these MSN entry pathways and how they work.
RN-to-MSN Pathway
RN-to-MSN programs typically take 2 to 4 years to complete; however, the timeframe to complete an MSN program can vary depending on the program and a student’s enrollment status. These programs are designed for nurses who have an associate degree or a diploma in nursing but have not earned a BSN. The curriculum generally incorporates both bachelor’s- and master’s-level nursing coursework, allowing nurses to progress toward an MSN without first completing a separate BSN program. Depending on the program, students may earn both a BSN and an MSN or just an MSN.
BSN-to-MSN Pathway
BSN-to-MSN programs are designed for registered nurses who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue graduate-level nursing education. These programs typically take 2 to 3 years to complete, depending on the program and the student’s enrollment status. Many schools offer online BSN-to-MSN programs that are flexible and built to fit into a nurse’s busy work life.
Direct-Entry MSN Pathway
Direct-entry MSN programs are designed for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and want to enter the nursing profession. They typically combine prelicensure nursing education with graduate-level coursework and may take 3 to 4 years to complete. After completing the program’s prelicensure requirements, students become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain RN licensure before progressing through the remaining graduate-level coursework.
MSN Specializations
When comparing types of master’s in nursing programs, students should consider not only the entry pathway but also the specializations or tracks available based on their career goals. These areas of focus can prepare nurses for specific roles in leadership, education, public health, and other areas of nursing.
Leadership and Innovation
An MSN program with a track focusing on leadership and innovation teaches nurses essential skills in areas such as budgeting, staffing, performance measurement, and interdisciplinary communication. The expertise gained in this area of focus prepares nurses for a career in nurse administration, health care management, or other leadership roles where strategic oversight and team management are crucial.
This degree can lead to a high-level nursing role such as a nurse manager position in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care facility, responsible for overseeing nursing teams and ensuring patients receive quality care. According to Payscale, nurse managers had a 2026 median annual salary of about $102,201.
Another career option for MSN graduates is director of nursing. While nurse managers generally oversee a specific unit or team, directors of nursing have broader responsibility for nursing operations across a health care organization. Their duties may include implementing policies, monitoring key metrics, and setting goals for nursing staff. A director of nursing earns a median annual salary of $107,309, according to Payscale (as of August 2026).
Education and Elevation
An MSN with an emphasis on education and elevation gives nurses the knowledge they need in pedagogical theories, teaching strategies, curriculum design, and evaluation methods to become effective educators. This advanced training empowers nurses to shape the next generation of health care professionals and improve educational practices in clinical settings.
A specialization in education is ideal for those looking to train and mentor future nurses or lead educational initiatives within health care organizations.
Graduates can apply their skills in various settings, from academic institutions to hospital education departments, as nursing instructors or clinical nurse educators. Postsecondary nursing instructors had a median annual salary of about $80,780 as of May 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This specialization can also prepare students to become nursing curriculum developers, who help develop, evaluate, and revise curricula for nursing programs. According to Payscale, the 2026 median annual salary for a curriculum developer is $76,234.
Public Health Global Vision
In the rewarding field of public health, nurses help create healthy living conditions for people in their community or around the world. Through an MSN program that focuses on public health, nurses can gain important leadership and communication skills that prepare them to handle budgeting, staffing, and performance assessments within public health settings.
This specialization often focuses on strategic leadership and cross-cultural competency that prepares nurses to lead and manage public health projects and teams domestically or internationally. Graduates can pursue roles in global health organizations, government agencies, or nonprofit groups.
These positions offer competitive salaries, with opportunities for advancement in the growing fields of community and international health. One job option for MSN graduates in this specialization is occupational health nursing. These specialized professionals develop preventive programs to educate employees on public safety and health management. According to Payscale, the 2026 median annual salary for an occupational health nurse is $87,943.
Advance Your Nursing Career
You’ve proven you have what it takes to thrive in the challenging but rewarding profession of nursing. The University of Tulsa’s online MSN program allows you to build on that success through a core curriculum that emphasizes the three Ps: pathophysiology, health promotion, and pharmacology.
At TU, you’ll receive personalized support from experienced faculty who understand your goals and help guide you toward achieving them. Graduates of TU’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program receive priority admission into the online MSN.
Seize the opportunity at The University of Tulsa. Apply now to advance your nursing career.
Recommended Readings
Community Nursing: Roles and Impact
Nursing Manager: Salary and Job Description
Nursing Professional Development: Opportunities for BSN Graduates
Sources:
ANA, “Comprehensive Guide to RN-to-MSN Programs”
Center for American Progress, “How Investing in Public Health Will Strengthen America’s Health”
Payscale, Average Director, Nursing Salary
Payscale, Average Nursing Manager Salary
Payscale, Curriculum Developer Salary
