Aspen University Online MSN Programs: Forensic Nursing, Nurse Informatics, More
Aspen University offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) and an RN-to-MSN bridge program with specializations in forensic nursing, informatics, administration and management, nursing education, and public health. The MSN degrees can be completed in 20 to 24 months and include local clinical practicums.
The RN-to-MSN bridge program is designed for nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing. They can be completed in 2.5 to three years and include the MSN courses plus seven additional bridge courses. No campus visits are required for the Aspen nursing programs.
Aspen University seeks to make earning an MSN degree flexible, affordable, and practical. Courses begin every two weeks. Instruction is asynchronous; tuition is kept very low; no travel to campus is required; and payment plans are available. There are full-time and part-time study plans offered and students get to choose their capstone experience.
Forensic nurses typically care for victims of assault or provide healthcare in correctional institutions. They may also work with legal consultants, community violence prevention programs, and law enforcement. Forensic nurses may be called on to testify in court about a crime.
Nursing informatics students learn to gather and analyze data and use electronic information systems, tools, and software. Graduates of the informatics specialization may go on to positions with healthcare organizations, hospitals, government facilities, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, consulting firms, and biotechnology companies.
The administration and management specialization prepares nurses for roles as nurse executives, nurse managers, and health coordinators. Graduates of the administration and management specialization may be eligible to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive Advanced Certification exam.
The nursing education specialization prepares nurses to educate new generations of nurses in healthcare settings and higher education. Graduates of the nursing education specialization may be prepared to take the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator exam.
The public health specialization prepares nurses to serve in the public sector, including government facilities, schools, home healthcare, hospice, palliative care, and case management.
Aspen University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The MSN and RN-to-MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Aspen University is located in Denver, Colorado.
What to Expect from the Aspen University Online MSN Programs
Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN program must hold a BSN degree from an accredited nursing program with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher. Applicants to the RN-to-MSN bridge program must hold an associate degree or diploma in nursing from a CHEA-recognized accredited program. In addition, RN-to-BSN applicants must have completed at least 30 semester-hours of liberal arts coursework.
Application materials include a completed application, proof of RN licensure, official transcripts, and documentation of at least one year of nursing experience within the past five years. No GRE is required.
Study Plan: The MSN programs can be completed in about 20 to 24 months, depending on full-time or part-time study. The RN-to-MSN bridge program takes 2.5 to three years to complete and both part-time and full-time plans are available.
Courses begin every two weeks throughout the year. No campus visits are required and students complete practicums locally. Courses last eight weeks each.
A final proctored exam is administered after the MSN program and a mid-program proctored exam is administered after the bridge courses are completed in the RN-to-MSN program.
MSN Curriculum: The MSN programs comprise 36 credits plus practicum hours. Core courses include healthcare systems; diverse populations and healthcare; legal and ethical issues in healthcare; theory and research; and nursing capstone.
Forensic Nursing: Students complete a 120-hour practicum. Specialization courses include forensic nursing; advanced physical assessment; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced correction; advanced forensic nursing; and forensic nursing practicum.
Nursing Informatics: Students complete a 120-hour practicum. Specialization courses include healthcare informatics; healthcare finance and economics; management of information systems; information system strategic planning; customers, markets, and technology; advanced healthcare informatics; and informatics in nursing practicum.
Administration and Management: Students complete a 180-hour practicum. Specialization courses include modern organizations and healthcare; healthcare informatics; advanced healthcare informatics; healthcare finance and economics; healthcare strategic management and planning; and nursing administration practicum I-II.
Nursing Education: Students complete a 120-hour practicum. Specialization courses include issues in nursing education; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; advanced physical assessment; teaching strategies in nursing education; curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation; and nurse education nursing practicum.
Public Health: Students complete a 120-hour practicum. Specialization courses include overview of public health nursing; advanced physical assessment; advanced pathophysiology; advanced pharmacology; school nursing; case management and home health services; and public health nursing practicum.
RN-to-MSN Bridge Curriculum: The RN-to-MSN programs comprise 57 credits plus practicum hours. Bridge courses include issues and trends in professional nursing; concepts and theories in nursing; community health nursing I-II; essentials of nursing research; health assessment; and nursing leadership and management. Students then complete the MSN core and specialty courses for their chosen specialization.
Online Experience: MSN and RN-to-MSN courses are delivered asynchronously in eight-week sessions. Courses may include case studies, readings, lectures, projects, and assessments. Students collaborate through discussion boards, email, and chat. Student services include academic advising, faculty office hours, online tutoring, technical support, and student success and career services.
On-Site Requirements: No campus visits are required for the online MSN and RN-to-MSN programs. Practicum experiences are completed at an approved location under a preceptor near the student.
Paying for the Aspen University Online MSN Programs
The online MSN and RN-to-MSN program tuition numbers are listed below, and do not include additional fees. Aspen University offers monthly payment plans to keep costs manageable. Interested nurses should contact the Aspen University School of Nursing for cost clarifications and updates.
Many financing options may be available, including unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans, private loans, employer tuition reimbursement programs, tuition discounts, and organizational and community scholarships and grants.
Aspen University MSN - Forensic Nursing
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 20 to 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $13,428.00 |
Aspen University MSN - Informatics
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 20 to 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $13,428.00 |
Aspen University MSN - Administration and Management
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 20 to 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 180 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $13,428.00 |
Aspen University MSN - Nursing Education
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 20 to 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $13,428.00 |
Aspen University MSN - Public Health
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 20 to 24 months. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $13,428.00 |
Aspen University RN to MSN - Forensic Nursing
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 57 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 2.5 to 3 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Associate degree or diploma in nursing |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 57 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $21,261.00 |
Aspen University RN to MSN - Informatics
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 57 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 2.5 to 3 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Associate degree or diploma in nursing |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 57 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $21,261.00 |
Aspen University RN to MSN - Administration and Management
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 57 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 2.5 to 3 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 180 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Associate degree or diploma in nursing |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 57 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $21,261.00 |
Aspen University RN to MSN - Nursing Education
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 57 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 2.5 to 3 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Associate degree or diploma in nursing |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 57 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $21,261.00 |
Aspen University RN to MSN - Public Health
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | Courses begin every 2 weeks |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 57 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in 2.5 to 3 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus 120 practicum hours |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Associate degree or diploma in nursing |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | At least one year of nursing experience |
| Credit Hours | 57 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $373.75 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $21,261.00 |
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please check here for any tuition updates.
