Best Online MSN Programs in Louisiana

Southeastern Louisiana University's online MSN in Nursing Education prepares advanced nursing professionals to become educators in academic and clinical settings. This 40-43 credit hour program focuses on curriculum development, teaching strategies, and assessment methods. Students complete 225 clinical hours and a thesis or scholarly project. The program is fully online with no entrance exam required, offering flexibility for working nurses transitioning to educational roles. Graduates achieve high national certification rates and can work in universities, hospitals, or professional development programs.

• Online program delivery
• 40-43 semester hours required
• 225 total clinical hours
• Thesis or scholarly project required
• ICMSN program member
• High national certification rates
• Expert faculty recognition
• Human patient simulator labs
• Potential roles: Nurse Educator
• Employment in universities, hospitals

Southeastern Louisiana University's hybrid MSN with Family Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares healthcare professionals for advanced practice. This web-based program requires all clinical hours to be completed in Louisiana, providing localized healthcare expertise. As part of a four-university collaborative, students benefit from flexible course completion and faculty mentorship. The hybrid format combines online learning with clinical requirements, and no entrance exam is specified. Graduates gain skills for primary care settings through theory-based courses and specialized clinical training.

• Online distance learning
• Web-based course technology
• Clinical hours in Louisiana
• Four-university collaborative program
• Faculty-mentored specialty concentrations
• Flexible course completion
• Transfer limit: One-third credits

Southeastern Louisiana University offers a hybrid MSN with Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration. This distance learning program prepares healthcare professionals for advanced practice in mental health settings. Students complete clinical hours in Louisiana as part of a university consortium program. The hybrid format provides flexible course completion options with web-based technology. No entrance exam is mentioned. The program focuses on enhancing professional capabilities through expert faculty mentorship and specialized clinical training for psychiatric care roles.

• Online distance learning format
• Collaborative university consortium program
• Clinical hours in Louisiana required
• Flexible course completion options
• Multiple nursing concentration tracks
• Maximum one-third transfer credits

Southeastern Louisiana University's hybrid MSN with Nursing Education concentration prepares advanced nursing professionals for educational roles. This program uses web-based technology for flexible distance learning while requiring clinical hours in Louisiana. As part of a four-university consortium, students receive expert faculty mentorship in curriculum development and teaching strategies. The hybrid format combines online coursework with clinical requirements. No entrance exam is specified. Graduates are equipped to work as nurse educators in academic or clinical settings with localized healthcare experience.

• Online distance learning format
• Clinical hours in Louisiana
• Part of 4-university consortium
• Expert faculty mentorship
• Web-based technology courses

The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers a hybrid Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program that prepares experienced RNs for advanced practice roles. This 40-credit program focuses on primary care across all patient age groups, requiring 640 clinical hours for hands-on training. With full-time and part-time options, it emphasizes national certification preparation and prescriptive authority licensure. Applicants need a 2.8 GPA, RN license, and two years of nursing experience. No entrance exam is required for this online/hybrid program, which has a March 1st application deadline and is military-friendly.

• 40 credit hours required
• Minimum 640 clinical hours
• Applications due March 1st
• Full-time and part-time options
• National certification preparation
• RN license required
• Minimum 2.8 GPA
• Two years RN experience
• Primary care focus
• Advanced practice preparation

University of Louisiana at Monroe's hybrid MSN program with an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares nurses to provide comprehensive healthcare for adult and elderly patients. The curriculum emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and advanced pathophysiology training, requiring 640 clinical hours. Designed for experienced RNs with a 2.75 GPA and two years of nursing experience, this program leads to national certification and advanced practice licensure. No entrance exam is required for this online/hybrid program, which combines theoretical foundations with clinical training and is military-friendly.

• Hybrid program format
• 640 clinical hours required
• Advanced nursing practice focus
• National certification preparation
• Two year RN experience needed
• Minimum 2.75 GPA required
• Advanced pathophysiology training
• Health policy and global health
• Adult/geriatric primary care

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette's online MSN in Nursing Education prepares nurses to become skilled educators in academic settings. This CCNE-accredited program requires no entrance exam and focuses on curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and educational technologies. Students complete 40-43 credit hours with 240 clinical hours, preparing for NLN Certification while balancing theoretical knowledge with practical experience. The program includes a scholarly project or thesis option and is designed for working professionals with a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA, offering fall and spring semester courses through the Intercollegiate Consortium.

• 40-43 total credit hours
• NLN Certification preparation
• 240 total clinical hours
• Intercollegiate Consortium program
• CCNE accredited
• Minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA
• Fall and Spring semester courses
• Focused scholarly project option
• Advanced nursing education courses
• Undergraduate teaching preparation

Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers an online MSN program with a hybrid format for its Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certificate. This post-master's program focuses on preparing experienced nurses to manage complex adult and elderly patients in acute care settings. Most coursework is delivered online, supplemented by hybrid clinical components, allowing working professionals to complete the program in 3-4 semesters. The program prepares graduates for national certification and advanced practice licensure. No entrance exam is required for this master's level program.

• Only Louisiana AGACNP post-graduate certificate
• Flexible online and hybrid format
• 3-4 semester completion time
• Prepares for national certification
• Addresses critical nursing shortage

Northwestern State University of Louisiana provides an online MSN program with a hybrid format for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner across the lifespan. This program equips advanced practice nurses with specialized skills to deliver comprehensive mental healthcare to patients of all ages. The hybrid format combines online coursework with clinical components, building on NSU's nursing education heritage since 1949. Graduates are prepared for diverse healthcare settings with evidence-based practice knowledge. No entrance exam is required for this master's level program.

• Hybrid program format
• Comprehensive lifespan mental health focus
• Advanced practice nursing preparation
• Part of accredited nursing college
• Graduate-level mental health specialization

Louisiana Christian University's 100% online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a Clinical Nurse Leadership concentration is designed for registered nurses seeking career advancement. This flexible program allows working nurses to maintain their current roles while developing advanced leadership and clinical skills through evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration. The curriculum integrates Christian values, preparing graduates for advanced healthcare roles. Admission requires a BSN degree or completion of an RN to BSN program. No entrance exam is required for this online master's program.

• 100% online MSN program.
• Clinical Nurse Leadership concentration.
• Flexible for working nurses.
• Requires BSN or RN to BSN completion.
• Focus on evidence-based practice.
• Interprofessional collaboration emphasis.
• Leadership within a Christian worldview.
• Prepares for advanced healthcare roles.
• Real-world experienced instructors.
• Supports RN to BSN to MSN transition.

Louisiana Christian University offers a 100% online RN-MSN program with a Clinical Nurse Leader concentration for registered nurses with a diploma or associate degree. This flexible program enables working nurses to balance studies with professional commitments while developing leadership skills in evidence-based practice and holistic care. The curriculum integrates Christian perspectives into nursing practice. Admission requires an RN license and a diploma or associate degree in nursing. No entrance exam is required for this online master's program, which prepares graduates for innovative leadership roles in clinical settings.

• 100% online program.
• Clinical Nurse Leader concentration.
• Flexible for working nurses.
• Christian perspective integrated.
• Prepares for leadership roles.
• Evidence-based practice focus.
• Holistic care approach.
• RN license required.
• Diploma or associate degree needed.
• Leadership and innovation skills.

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University's online MSN-FNP program prepares BSN-prepared nurses for advanced primary care roles through a hybrid format blending online coursework with in-person requirements. This ACEN-accredited program requires 44 credit hours and 750 clinical hours, focusing on holistic care for underserved populations. With a 100% certification pass rate in 2023, it offers traditional, expedited, and post-master's certificate pathways. No entrance exam is required for admission, though applicants need a 3.0 GPA and at least one year of RN experience. The Roman Catholic-affiliated program emphasizes evidence-based practice and interprofessional collaboration.

• 44 credit hours total
• 750 clinical hours required
• Hybrid online/in-person format
• 3 admission pathways
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• 1+ year RN experience needed
• Application deadline September 16
• 100% 2023 certification pass rate
• Focuses on underserved settings
• ACEN accredited program

Nicholls State University's online MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program, ranked among America's top 50 nursing graduate programs, prepares advanced practice nurses through a hybrid format combining online coursework with clinical requirements. This CCNE-accredited program requires an RN license, one year of nursing experience, and a minimum 2.7 undergraduate GPA, but does not mandate an entrance exam. With a 95% FNP certification pass rate, it offers full-time and part-time options, featuring a collaborative consortium model and a Fall 2025 application deadline of April 14.

• Top 50 nursing graduate program
• 95% FNP certification pass rate
• Full and part-time options
• Fall 2025 deadline: April 14
• Minimum 2.7 undergraduate GPA
• Requires RN license
• One year nursing experience
• CCNE accredited program
• Collaborative consortium model

Nicholls State University's online MSN Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program delivers specialized mental health training through a hybrid format with 600 clinical hours. This rigorous program focuses on advanced diagnostic reasoning, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy techniques without requiring an entrance exam. Students need a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete 48-51 credit hours, including a focused scholarly project option. The program prepares graduates for national certification, equipping them to address complex psychological healthcare needs across diverse populations.

• Hybrid learning format
• 600 clinical practice hours
• National certification preparation
• Advanced diagnostic training
• Psychotherapy skill development
• Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
• 48-51 total credit hours
• Focused scholarly project option

Loyola University New Orleans offers an online Master of Science in Nursing with a Nurse-Midwifery concentration. This hybrid program combines online synchronous coursework with 910 hours of supervised clinical practicum over five semesters. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered care focused on gynecologic, reproductive, and sexual health across the lifespan. Graduates are prepared to provide culturally responsive healthcare while reducing unnecessary medical interventions. The 50-credit program is pre-accredited by ACME and prepares students for national certification. No entrance exam is required for admission to this online program.

• 50 credit hour program
• 910 hours supervised practicum
• Online synchronous curriculum
• Pre-accredited by ACME
• Comprehensive healthcare focus
• Patient-centered care approach
• Eligible for national certification

Grambling State University's online MSN Nurse Educator program offers a 21-month hybrid format, blending on-campus and online learning. This HBCU program prepares nurses to become expert educators through a flexible curriculum that requires one day per week of classroom attendance. Students can specialize in Adult/Geriatric or Maternal/Child Health nursing, developing comprehensive skills to mentor future healthcare professionals. The program requires 43 graduate credit hours and offers clinical focus flexibility. No entrance exam is required for admission to this advanced nursing education program.

• 21-month full-time program
• 43 graduate credit hours
• On-campus and online classes
• Specialization options available
• One day per week classroom
• Clinical focus flexibility
• Advanced nursing education

LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport's online MSN Nurse Educator program prepares experienced BSN nurses to excel in healthcare education through a flexible hybrid format. This intensive four-semester program combines online coursework with face-to-face sessions, focusing on nursing education theory, curriculum development, and teaching strategies. No entrance exam is required for admission. The program targets nurses seeking to shape future healthcare professionals in academic, practice, or service settings, offering synchronous distance education options with fall, spring, and summer start dates.

• Hybrid (online & on-site)
• Four-semester intensive track
• Targets BSN nurses with experience
• Semester applications: Fall/Spring/Summer
• Synchronous distance education option

The MSN Nurse Educator program at LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport offers a one-year intensive hybrid curriculum for nurses pursuing educator roles. This online program emphasizes nursing education theory, curriculum design, and instructional methods, building upon BSN clinical experience. No entrance exam is required. Delivered through a combination of online learning and on-campus sessions, it prepares graduates for leadership positions in academic and practice environments, addressing critical workforce needs in nursing education.

• One-year intensive program.
• Hybrid learning format.
• Focus on Nurse Educator roles.
• Prepares for academic and practice settings.
• Builds on BSN skills.