Best Online MSN Programs in Maryland

Stevenson University Online's MSN in Population-Based Care Coordination is a 36-credit graduate program delivered 100% online through six 8-week sessions per year. The curriculum equips registered nurses to coordinate care for diverse populations, emphasizing vulnerable groups, quality improvement, and healthcare system evaluation. Applicants must hold a BSN and current RN licensure. The program includes a capstone project that applies care coordination skills in real-world practice settings. Tuition details are available from the university's financial aid office. This flexible online format supports working nurses seeking to advance their careers in population health management, care transitions, and community-based care.

• 36 credit hours
• 100% online delivery
• Six 8-week sessions yearly
• Population-Based Care Coordination concentration
• MSN degree level
• Flexible schedule options
• Capstone project required
• Focus on vulnerable populations
• Healthcare system evaluation
• Care coordination skills

Stevenson University's online Master's in Nursing with a Forensic Nursing concentration prepares registered nurses to advocate for victims of violence and trauma within the legal and healthcare systems. The 36-credit curriculum combines advanced nursing practice with forensic science and legal coursework, covering advanced health assessment, foundations of justice, expert witness preparation, and a forensic nursing practicum. Graduates work as forensic nurse examiners, legal nurse consultants, or patient advocates, providing trauma-informed care to survivors of rape, domestic violence, elder abuse, and child abuse. Designed for working professionals, the program features six annual start dates and eight-week sessions, with support from faculty and success coaches.

• 36 total credit hours
• 6 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring/summer
• Capstone required
• Investigating and advocating for victims
• Bridge between patients, law enforcement, and legal system
• Focus on trauma: rape, domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse
• Course: Expert Witness Preparation and Practice
• Forensic Nursing Practicum included
• Designed for working students

Stevenson University's online RN to MS in Nursing is a CCNE-accredited program tailored for working Maryland RNs. At $505 per credit with no fees, it ranks as the #1 most affordable RN to MSN online program according to edumed.org. The 120-credit curriculum includes BSN and MSN coursework, delivered in flexible eight-week sessions with six yearly start dates. Students choose from four concentrations: Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership/Management, Forensic Nursing, or Population Health Nursing. The first graduate course is billed at the undergraduate rate, and the program requires no entrance exam. Admission requires a minimum 3.0 GPA and an active RN license. Financial aid and employer partner tuition discounts are available.

• CCNE accredited
• 4 concentration options
• No entrance exam required
• $505 per credit
• 120 total credit hours
• 6 start dates per year
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 45 clinical hours
• Financial aid available
• Courses offered in 8-week online sessions

Frostburg State University offers a hybrid Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, designed for experienced RNs seeking advanced practice roles. The blended format combines online coursework with on-campus components, preparing graduates to deliver primary care across the lifespan. The curriculum aligns with AACN competencies and national NP standards, emphasizing rural health and underserved populations. CCNE accreditation ensures quality. No entrance exam is listed as a requirement for admission. Students benefit from small class sizes and access to modern facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms. This program equips nurses with the skills to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in diverse community settings.

• Blended program delivery
• Family Nurse Practitioner concentration
• Psychiatric Mental Health NP option
• CCNE accredited program
• Focus on underserved communities
• Modern facilities access
• Small class sizes
• Experienced RNs eligible
• Frostburg and online locations
• AACN curriculum alignment

This hybrid Master of Science in Nursing from Frostburg State University focuses on Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practice, preparing experienced RNs for specialized mental health care. Online coursework is paired with on-campus components, offering flexibility for working professionals. The curriculum is grounded in AACN's Core Competencies and national NP standards, with a strong emphasis on serving underserved communities. CCNE accreditation underscores program quality. The university does not list an entrance exam as a requirement. Small class sizes and hands-on learning in modern facilities enhance the educational experience, while the program addresses critical mental health needs across the lifespan.

• Master of Science in Nursing.
• Family Nurse Practitioner concentration.
• Blended delivery format.
• For experienced registered nurses.
• Focus on underserved communities.
• Accredited by CCNE.
• Aligns with national competencies.
• Includes online components.
• Includes on-campus components.
• Prepares for advanced practice.

Frostburg State University's MSN in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is a blended program designed for experienced registered nurses seeking specialized advanced practice roles. The hybrid format integrates online learning with required campus experiences, accommodating working professionals. Curriculum follows AACN competencies and national nurse practitioner standards, focusing on mental health care for underserved communities. The program is accredited by CCNE and does not list a graduate entrance exam as a requirement. Students enjoy small classes and access to contemporary facilities, gaining hands-on clinical preparation. This degree prepares nurses to meet growing mental health demands and advance their careers in psychiatric-mental health settings.

• Blended hybrid program format
• For experienced registered nurses
• Focus on underserved communities
• Based on AACN competencies
• Aligns with national NP standards
• Accredited by CCNE
• Modern facilities access
• Hands-on learning experience
• Small class sizes
• Career advancement focus

Designed for nurses aiming at C-suite leadership, the University of Maryland, Baltimore's dual MSN/MBA in Nursing Leadership and Management merges nursing science with business administration. This hybrid program (online plus on-campus) spans 66-72 credits with a part-time schedule extendable to seven years. Courses cover health promotion, and business classes are delivered at the University of Baltimore. Admission requires a BSN with a 3.0 GPA, a valid RN license, an essay, resume, and one professional recommendation; official transcripts and residency classification are also needed. A $75 application fee applies, but federal financial aid, merit scholarships, and graduate assistantships are available. Graduates are prepared for senior healthcare roles, and the program holds a top ranking among nursing programs.

• Dual MSN/MBA degree.
• Nursing Leadership and Management concentration.
• Hybrid program format.
• 66-72 credits required.
• Part-time up to seven years.
• Prepares for senior healthcare roles.
• BSN with 3.0 GPA required.
• Valid RN license needed.
• $75 application fee.
• Merit scholarships available.

Bridging nursing and technology, the online MSN in Nursing Informatics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) prepares nurses to lead health information systems. This 36-credit program can be completed in two years of full-time study, with part-time plans also available. The competency-based curriculum includes 500 practicum hours and free ANCC exam prep workshops. Tuition is $926 per credit for Maryland residents and $1,643 for out-of-state learners, though the Academic Common Market may grant in-state rates to eligible students. Applicants need a BSN with a 3.0 GPA and a current RN license. Graduates enter a high-demand field with salary potential exceeding $100,000. The program is CCNE-accredited and offers an accelerated RN-to-MSN pathway.

• 36 credit hours required.
• Online format available.
• In-state tuition: $926/credit hour.
• Out-of-state tuition: $1,643/credit hour.
• As little as 2 years to complete.
• 500 practicum hours required.
• Full-time and part-time study plans.
• BSN degree required for admission.
• 3.0 undergraduate GPA minimum.
• Valid RN license required.

Focused on social justice and population health, the hybrid MSN in Community/Public Health Nursing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore blends five online courses with five face-to-face sessions and two tailored practicums. This 38-credit program requires 315 practicum hours and can be completed in as little as two years, with both full- and part-time options. Tuition is $926 per credit for in-state and $1,643 for out-of-state students. Admission requires a BSN with a 3.0 GPA, an active RN license, a 500–1,000-word essay, resume, and one professional recommendation. The program is CCNE-accredited and offers an optional dual MSN/MPH, graduate certificates, and an accelerated RN-to-MSN track. Faculty have connections with 50+ community partners, and interprofessional learning is integrated throughout.

• Hybrid format: blended online and face-to-face.
• Program length: as little as 2 years.
• 38 credits required.
• 315 practicum hours included.
• In-state tuition: $926 per credit hour.
• Out-of-state tuition: $1,643 per credit hour.
• Full-time and part-time options available.
• Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Competency-based education approach.
• Focus on population health and social justice.

Notre Dame of Maryland University's MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner prepares nurses to care for patients from adolescence through older adulthood. Delivered in a hybrid format, the program combines online coursework with in-person sessions on the Baltimore campus. The 47-credit curriculum emphasizes diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions, wellness coaching, and lifestyle interventions to reduce chronic disease risks. Designed for working nurses, the part-time cohort model allows completion in 27 months. Small class sizes foster strong faculty connections. Clinical experiences are extensive, preparing graduates for primary care roles in community clinics, private practices, and other settings. The program focuses on whole-person care for adult and geriatric populations.

• 27-Month program
• 47 total credit hours
• Part-time available
• Cohort-based structure
• Blend of online and in-person classes
• Small class sizes
• Cohort learning community
• Designed for working nurses
• Care for adult-gerontology patients
• Interactive coursework and simulations

Notre Dame of Maryland University offers a Master of Science in Nursing with a Leadership in Nursing Administration concentration. This accelerated hybrid program, designed for working nurses, can be completed in under two years through part-time study. The cohort model provides consistent scheduling and peer support. The CCNE-accredited curriculum covers policy analysis, finance, strategic planning, and quality improvement. Small class sizes with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensure personalized attention. Evening and weekend classes meet on the Baltimore campus, complementing online coursework. Grounded in Caring Science, the program prepares graduates for nurse manager roles while fostering healthy work environments. Admission requires a BSN. Fall start once per year. Scholarship opportunities are available.

• Accelerated under two years.
• Hybrid online and campus format.
• Leadership in Nursing Administration concentration.
• Part-time study for working nurses.
• Cohort model for community support.
• Small class sizes.
• Consistent sequential scheduling.
• CCNE accredited program.
• 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
• Evening and weekend classes.

Washington Adventist University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing Education for registered nurses seeking to become nurse educators. The 45-credit curriculum includes 27 core credits covering advanced health assessment, pharmacology, organizational leadership, health policy, evidence-based practice, and curriculum development. Students complete a teaching practicum in an academic setting, a direct patient care practicum, and a research thesis or project. Admission requires a BSN with a 3.0 GPA, an active RN license, two letters of recommendation, a professional resume, and a career objectives statement; an interview may be required. The program emphasizes social justice, multicultural care, and quality and safety, and no entrance exam is listed among admission requirements.

• 45 credit hours total.
• Online program format.
• BSN with 3.0 GPA required.
• Active RN license needed.
• Two recommendation letters.
• Professional resume submission.
• Career objectives statement.
• Possible interview required.
• 27 core curriculum hours.
• Includes direct patient care practicum.

Hood College's online MSN in Nursing Education prepares registered nurses to become educators in academic and clinical settings. The 31-credit curriculum includes instructional design, curriculum development, assessment strategies, and educational technology, with an emphasis on evidence-based teaching. Students engage in practical projects and simulations, building skills to lead diverse learner populations. The program offers flexible, part-time online study, making it ideal for working professionals. Tuition totals $32,550 ($1,050 per credit), with financial aid available. No GRE or other entrance exam is required for admission. This track also complements two additional MSN concentrations within the same program.

• 3 concentration options
• $32,550 total program tuition
• $1,050 per credit
• 31 total credit hours
• Financial aid available
• Three specialized MSN tracks available
• Semester comprehensive fees apply
• Part-time study option available

Hood College delivers an online MSN program featuring a robust Nursing Education track for nurses pursuing careers as educators and leaders. The 31-credit curriculum covers modern teaching methodologies, curriculum design, student evaluation, and educational technology, integrating evidence-based practice. Graduates qualify for roles as faculty members, clinical instructors, or staff development coordinators. The interactive online format facilitates collaboration and offers flexible scheduling, with part-time enrollment and financial aid options. Total tuition is $32,550, or $1,050 per credit. Admission does not require a standardized entrance exam, such as the GRE. The program provides three concentration choices to meet varied career goals.

• 3 concentration options
• $32,550 total program tuition
• $1,050 per credit
• 31 total credit hours
• Financial aid available
• Three specialized MSN tracks available

The University of Baltimore offers a hybrid MS in Nursing/MBA dual degree designed for nursing professionals aiming for executive leadership in healthcare administration. This online-friendly program integrates clinical expertise with business management, drawing on the resources of the AACSB-accredited Merrick School of Business. Coursework emphasizes practical problem-solving, healthcare policy, and organizational strategy. Flexible scheduling accommodates working adults, with multiple application deadlines throughout the year. Admissions require a bachelor's degree and professional experience; no entrance exam is specified. Graduates emerge prepared for roles such as nurse executive or healthcare administrator. The program benefits from small class sizes, expert faculty, and networking opportunities within the Baltimore area.

• MSN/MBA dual degree program
• Hybrid learning format
• For nursing professionals
• Combines healthcare and business
• Prepares for leadership roles
• Flexible for working adults
• Requires bachelor's degree
• Professional experience needed
• Cost varies by residency
• Multiple application deadlines

Morgan State University’s Master of Science in Nursing offers a hybrid Nurse Educator concentration, blending online coursework with in-person sessions via Zoom to accommodate working professionals. The 43-credit curriculum follows AACN standards, emphasizes serving underserved populations, and requires no thesis or capstone. Graduates are prepared for educator and leadership roles. Admission requires a BSN from an accredited institution, a 3.0 GPA, and three letters of recommendation; two years of RN experience is recommended but not mandatory. Non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL scores. The program is accredited by CCNE and offers conditional admission options.

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
• 2 concentration options
• Exams: TOEFL
• 43 total credit hours
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
• No thesis or capstone required
• Prepares for Nurse Educator roles
• Follows AACN graduate nursing standards
• Hybrid face-to-face and virtual options