Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Master of Science in Nursing
If you want to become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need a Master of Science in Nursing in order to practice. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications, diagnose conditions, and provide treatment, all while still being focused on patient care. A Master of Science in Nursing can also prepare you for roles in healthcare administration and leadership, teaching, and doctoral school. If you’re looking to advance in your career in health care, getting a Master of Science in Nursing is the way to do it.
Why get your Master of Science in Nursing?
At the Mount, you can choose from three tracks in the Master of Science in Nursing: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Here’s what makes our Master of Science in Nursing program unique:
- Proven success: Our School of Nursing is a renowned leader for training healthcare professionals in the Hudson Valley and beyond. We’re preparing you for your career, not just for today, but for tomorrow. In fact, a recent survey of our Master of Science in Nursing graduates revealed that 100% were employed full-time.
- Flexibility around you: With three start dates, once a week classes in the evening, and blended online courses, we’ve designed this program with you and your busy schedule in mind.
- Healthcare hub: The Hudson Valley is a fast-growing hub of healthcare. If you’re looking to advance in the field of nursing and healthcare, there’s no better place to do so. We have clinical relationships with more than 40 area hospitals and often get requests from those organizations to hire our graduates because of our well-known success.
Are you a Mount graduate? Don’t forget, Mount alumni receive 25% off of graduate tuition!
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master's degree program in nursing at Mount Saint Mary College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Learn more about our accreditation here.
What to expect as a MSN student
As a Master of Science in Nursing student, you’ll begin the program with courses designed to prepare all future nurse practitioners. After that, you will take 33-36 credits in your track, either Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. You’ll benefit from the real world experience of our faculty, all of whom are RNs with years of clinical expertise.
Throughout these courses, you’ll participate in clinical practice, with the opportunity to pick your own preceptor. Additionally, opportunities for research are integrated into the curriculum to help you advance your knowledge of the field and contribute to it.
Students are generally able to complete the program within 2.5 years, but it can be taken at your own pace to fit your schedule. 90% of our Master of Science in Nursing students complete the program within four years. You’ll conclude your time in the program with a White Coat ceremony, where you’ll be honored for your accomplishments and receive the white coat that distinguishes the nurse practitioner profession.
Your course structure will depend on which track you select:
Learn about the Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology academic requirements and courses here.
In the Master of Science in Nursing for Adult-Gerontology, your courses will focus on care for adults and the elderly, with particular attention on health promotion, prevention of illness, maintenance of health status, and management of acute episodic and stable chronic conditions.
Learn about the Master of Science in Family Health academic requirements and courses here.
In the Master of Science in Nursing for Family Health, your courses will focus on care for children and families, with particular attention on health promotion, prevention of illness, maintenance of health status, and management of acute episodic and stable chronic conditions.
Learn about the Master of Science in Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health academic requirements and courses here.
In the Master of Science in Nursing for Psychiatric Mental Health, your courses will focus on care for clients of all ages and backgrounds with mental health issues and psychiatric disorders, with particular attention to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychiatric clients across the lifespan, as well as mental health promotion and psychiatric disease prevention.
Be prepared for your future
With a Master of Science in Nursing, you’ll be prepared to take on the role of nurse practitioner, a highly-sought after candidate in the healthcare industry today. Additionally, you’ll also have the training necessary to begin doctoral school, teach, or take on administrative or leadership roles within the healthcare field. Learn more about our Master of Science in Nursing Education program here.
Here’s how some of our Master of Science in Nursing alumni are using their degrees:
- Daniel Maughan ’05 MBA ’09 MS in Nursing ’09, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
- Christian Plaza ’14 MBA ’18 MS in Nursing ’18, Clinical & Business Director at Cross Valley Health & Medicine PC
- Lizzie Rosenberg MS in Nursing ’19, Assistant Director of Scientific Affairs at Endo Pharmaceuticals
Marilyn Lashlee
Meet the School of Nursing Faculty
Get to know the rest of our incredible Nursing professors!