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Accreditation for Our Master's of Science in Nursing
American Military University is part of American Public University System. The master's degree program in nursing at American Public University System is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). CCNE is an autonomous accrediting body whose mission is to promote excellence in nursing education by supporting the development and enhancement of high-quality educational programs that strive to improve public health.
Through rigorous evaluation, they ensure that baccalaureate, graduate, and residency/fellowship degree nursing programs meet national standards for quality care. Choosing a nursing program with accreditation ensures that curriculum meets common standards of quality and enhances the quality of care in the nursing profession.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accreditation
Does it matter which accreditation my master’s degree in nursing program has?
Accreditation for nursing programs is available through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and other organizations. No accrediting body is necessarily better than any other. The important thing is that your program is accredited, not who administers the accreditation.
Why is accreditation important in an MSN program?
Accredited programs meet the established standards that ensure the quality, integrity, and effectiveness of an MSN program. Attending an accredited MSN program ensures that a particular MSN program is up-to-date and effective and graduates may be qualified to seek certification and licensure related to the MSN degree they obtain after graduation.
Registered nurses who enroll in our Master of Science in Nursing will need to first choose a concentration. AMU offers three tracks for aspiring MSN degree nurses–nurse educator, nurse leader, and community and public health nursing.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (AACN) is expecting record retirement numbers over the next decade, with as many as one third of nursing faculty members leaving the profession by 2025. Fewer faculty means fewer available programs for nursing students who will then need to be turned away, further worsening the nursing shortage. As an MSN with a concentration in nurse education, you can fill the gap for this vital role.
Similarly, burnout and retirement have contributed to a shortage in other, more administrative positions, such as Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNL) and Health Policy Experts (HPE). These roles, which are emerging positions of importance in healthcare settings, require a certain level of clinical competence and a more specialized approach to patient care.
Each concentration presents its own unique set of roles and responsibilities. For RNs and military nurses seeking their next step, a master's degree in nursing can open doors toward building specialized knowledge and experience.
What is an MSN in Nursing: Education, Leadership, or Community and Public Health?
As the healthcare landscape continues to shift rapidly, this degree will offer support to practitioners who want to take an active role when it comes to the development of future generations of healthcare providers.
Why Get an MSN Degree?
The demand for nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is fueled by changing regulations and industry challenges that have created a need for nurse educators, certified nurse midwives, family nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and other roles to help meet the growing challenges presented by healthcare in the 21st century.
Healthcare providers across the country recognize the need to acquire or support their current workforce with obtaining an MSN degree. Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing shows that 90% of nurse educators currently hold a master’s in nursing. It is largely projected that this trend in nursing will continue as more and more organizations recognize the need for these advanced degree-holders.
A Fortune Education article notes that MSN-prepared nurses face a number of variables driving their earnings, such as where they live and work and their specialization.
Can I Earn a Master of Science in Nursing Online?
Taking courses from anywhere on your own time requires discipline, but for those seeking flexibility and control in their schedule, nursing education online can be a suitable option. With many academic institutions now offering part-time, accelerated, and even fully online MSN degrees, there are lots of opportunities available for those dedicated to achieving their goals. Except for a practicum at the conclusion of your master’s in nursing, AMU’s program is fully online.
Online Nursing Degree Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest advantage of earning an MSN degree online?
One of the biggest advantages to earning an MSN degree online is convenience. Online nursing degree programs allow students to take courses from anywhere on their own time, which is perfect for busy nurses who have families to look after or limited free hours. Additionally, online programs often offer a more flexible curriculum than traditional brick-and-mortar schools, making it easier for students to balance work, family, and school responsibilities.
AMU’s program features weekly class schedules with no set login times, which can be especially beneficial to those with irregular schedules.
Is the training and education the same in an online nursing program as an in-person program?
When selecting an online MSN program, it's important to choose one that’s accredited. Accreditation ensures that the training and education you receive through the program, regardless of its delivery modality, meets the standards employers expect from nurses holding an advanced degree.
Paths to Earning an MSN Degree
There is also the direct-entry MSN. This is usually a choice for someone who holds a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and has no experience as a nurse. You would typically complete entry-level coursework to begin such a program.
For those nursing applicants who don't hold either a BSN or a bachelor’s degree in any field, the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to MSN bridge program is an option. These bridge RN-MSN pathways provide students an accelerated route typically built on prior experience gained as a Registered Nurse.
For RNs (Registered Nurses) with work experience but no BSN degree, the RN to MSN program is an option as it provides a direct route that allows students to obtain both a BSN and an MSN degree during the course of their studies. Some of these programs accept applicants with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
AMU offers an RN to MSN program, designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue both the bachelor of science in nursing and an MSN through a single program. AMU is distinctive in its approach to this program, awarding the BSN upon completion of 120 credit hours in the program. So, should you need to leave the program before completing the MSN, you have the earned BSN as a credential demonstrating your advanced knowledge in the field.
AMU’s RN to MSN is considered an accelerated program because you are able to substitute three MSN courses for three BSN courses so you can accelerate your completion time.
For military veterans and others looking for options, earning an MSN degree is made possible by military- and veteran-specific programs like BSN to MSN, RN to MSN, regular bachelor's to MSN, Accelerated MSN and other military-focused education opportunities.
BSN to MSN usually takes one to two years to complete. It is the most common way of obtaining an MSN degree and is mainly taken by BSN graduates without work experience.
Lastly, Accelerated MSN programs provide a quick track for those looking for both their BSN and MSN degrees in one to three years; candidates applying for this program need to have a bachelor’s in any discipline along with a competitive GPA and submit an essay explaining their motivations for pursuing the nursing field.
Wondering About All the Degree Acronyms and Types of Programs?
AMU’s program includes a practicum, which is a course completed on-site at a location in your community. The practicum allows you to apply your learning to your area of interest. All other coursework in AMU’s master's in nursing is fully online.
An RN-to-MSN program is designed for registered nurses who wish to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). These programs typically allow nurses to choose a specialty track, such as family nurse practitioner or nurse midwifery.
AMU has an RN to MSN program for those who have not yet earned a BSN. The program offers three tracks of specialization: nursing education, nursing leadership, and community and public health nursing.
A hybrid MSN program is designed for students who wish to complete some of their coursework online and some in person. These programs typically offer a mix of synchronous and asynchronous coursework, with synchronous courses completed live online with other students and asynchronous courses completed on the student's own time.
MSN in Nursing: Education, Leadership, and Community & Public Health Nursing Curriculum
With coursework varying by specialty, nursing master’s programs are designed to prepare nurses for roles in administration, teaching, research, leadership, and direct patient care. As such, the curriculum includes advanced courses in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, leadership and health policy, as well as research-focused classes to introduce you to quality improvement proposals and analyzing healthcare literature to design appropriate project plans.
In addition to the 18 semester hours associated with the chosen concentration, MSN program students will complete 15 credit hours of core coursework and an evidence-based capstone project that are designed to help prepare them for a variety of advanced areas of need, such as:
- collegiate nursing education
- clinical nursing education
- nursing leadership
- healthcare administration
- community and public health nursing
At the end of the program, nurses should possess the necessary knowledge and skills required to provide optimal care for good patient outcomes. All of this is supported by organizations such as the AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing), that outline roles after graduating with an MSN in nursing.
If you are seeking a scholarship, organizations such as AACN offer an updated list of scholarships that nurses can apply for to be able to continue their education.
You may also be eligible for loans and grants. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®1) is the first step to determining if you can get access to any federal student loans or state financial aid.
American Military University’s Preferred Military Rate is $250/credit hour for undergraduate and $250/credit hour for master’s-level courses. The rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and Reservists. Military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents, are also eligible to receive the Preferred Military Rate.
Request information to learn more about AMU's military nursing student benefits and our Preferred Military Rate to see how these programs can help minimize the cost of earning a Master's of Science in Nursing.
1 FAFSA® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Education
Transfer Credit Opportunities
Whether through military service, real-world experience, prior college coursework, or on-the-job training, your learning is worth something. At AMU, you may be able to earn transfer credits for these skills. Please visit out transfer credit policy's webpage for complete details.
Credits that have been earned at accredited institutions of higher learning with regional and/or national accreditation may be eligible. For graduate degrees, this credit must:
- Have been earned within the last 10 years.
- Have a final grade of B or higher or a Pass/Satisfactory grade equivalent to a final grade of B or higher indicated by the issuing university.
- Have not been used to complete internship or practicum coursework or to complete an undergraduate degree.
We also accept many forms of professional military education, non-academic experience, and training. This experience will be listed on your Joint Services Transcript (JST), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), or Air University (AU) transcript.
The amount of credits that can be transferred depends upon several factors:
- The program you've chosen
- Unit of measure from previous learning institution (semester hours versus quarter hours)
- Course level (100, 200, 300, or 400)
At AMU at the master’s level, we award up to 15 credits toward transfer. We encourage incoming students to apply for transfer credit evaluation to ensure you're getting the most out of your prior knowledge.
Transfer Credit Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a limit to how many credits can be transferred?
Every accredited institution of higher learning has a requirement called “residency” or Residential Limitations, which governs how many credits can be transferred toward a degree at their “home” university.
In addition, there are limits on “non-traditional” transfer credits such as those earned based on assessment, competency testing, experience, and/or determination of knowledge. Like the Residential Limitations, our non-traditional transfer credit limits for master's degree vary by program. For our master's in nursing, AMU will accept up to 15 credits toward transfer.
How can I find out how many credit hours might transfer to this MSN program?
You can request a preliminary transfer credit review by contacting an AMU admission representative. The transfer credit evaluation begins once all documents are received by the transfer credit department and may take two to three days to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSN stands for Master of Science in Nursing. It is a graduate level program that prepares nurses for advanced roles in nursing, such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, or nurse administration. The program typically focuses on developing advanced skills in evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, health policy, and leadership.
A registered nurse who obtains an MSN degree will possess the skills to work in healthcare education and administration. The MSN in Nursing Education track helps to provide the necessary training to teach in a college or clinical setting as a nurse educator. Those who choose to specialize in Nursing Leadership learn strong managerial skills, how to understand healthcare policies, and develop the business acumen needed to oversee hospital resources and operations.
An MSN degree is often sought by healthcare professionals who are considering administrative responsibilities. For example, a master's in nursing is designed to help prepare for responsibilities that may include:
- Nurse educator
- Clinical nurse leader (CLN)
- Health policy expert (HPE)
- Nurse administrator
A nurse practitioner (NP) often provides hands-on clinical care. A nurse practitioner is a role that involves providing direct patient care and requires an earned MSN degree. Earning a designation as an NP gives these healthcare professionals greater autonomy than a typical registered nurse (RN) by allowing NPs to make healthcare decisions for patients including making diagnoses and ordering tests. NPs can pursue specializations like pediatrics, women’s health, and more. Graduates of MSN programs with a Nurse Practitioner specialization are required to pass additional licensure examinations in order to practice in their state.
An MSN degree is designed to help prepare individuals for a wide range of responsibilities. Clinical nurse leaders (CNLs) often coordinate and manage quality care for patients in healthcare settings. With the help of CNLs, hospitals and other medical facilities can improve their overall workflow. They may also serve as a Health Policy Expert (HPE), working collaboratively with policy makers at the federal level to improve the effectiveness of healthcare improvements. MSN grads who become Nurse Practitioners (NP) can work independently to diagnose and treat health issues, while the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) provides services related to labor and delivery. Those who pursue a role such as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) will often specialize in a variety of areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, reproductive health and more.
Choosing the best type of MSN depends on personal and professional goals. There are many options that can prepare an individual to be an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), such as a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) with a specialization in nurse practitioner or midwifery. Concentrations like these provide unique opportunities to specialize within the field and develop an advanced area of expertise. Ultimately the best way to decide which type of MSN is right for you is to assess your individual objectives and align them with your desired clinical specialties.