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About the programs

  • Discover holistic health care:

    Explore systemic health care issues from a social-justice lens, so you can provide holistic care to underrepresented populations.

  • Gain wisdom from mentors:

    Receive ongoing guidance and advice from expert Simmons faculty, academic advisers, and student success specialists. 

  • Prepare for licensure:

    Graduate ready and eligible to sit for the national board certifying exam for FNPs or PMHNPs.

MSN program options

No matter which online MSN program you choose, you will benefit from a dynamic blend of live, online courses with expert faculty; interactive, self-paced coursework; and hands-on clinical experiences. Learn more about the three online MSN programs:

  • MSN-FNP:

    This program is designed for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The 47-credit curriculum prepares learners to initiate and manage patients’ treatment plans; provide diagnoses and prescribe medication; focus on disease prevention and health management; and improve the lives of patients and communities through health promotion. After graduation, learners are eligible to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certification exam to become an FNP. Upon certification, learners are eligible to pursue licensure in their state of choice.

  • MSN-PMHNP:

    This program is designed for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who wish to fill the substantial gap in access to mental health care brought on by the national mental health provider shortageFootnote 3. The 49-credit curriculum explores psychiatric issues from a health-equity and social-justice lens, and trains learners to consider individual experiences, family dynamics, and community as important factors in mental health treatment. After graduation, learners are eligible to sit for the ANCC Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification exam to become PMHNP-BCs™. Upon certification, learners are eligible to pursue licensure in their state of choice.

  • MSN, Leadership:

    This program is designed for RNs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing who aspire to fill a nursing leadership role and are looking for alternative options within the nursing field. The 34-credit curriculum applies leadership concepts through real-world settings and covers topics such as health care economics, quality improvement, and informatics. Learners gain advanced knowledge in nursing leadership theory, explore the evolution of nursing as a profession, and master essential management skills like planning, organizing, and directing. Upon graduation, learners will be prepared to address complex health care challenges, ensuring high-quality and equitable patient care while leveraging technology to improve outcomes.

Ready to advance your career?

Experiential learning opportunities

MSN learners complete a minimum of 567 clinical hours for the Leadership track, and a minimum of 756 clinical hours for the FNP and PMHNP tracks. During clinical hours, learners apply the skills learned in the classroom to provide acute and chronic care across diverse populations. Learners partner with a dedicated clinical placement specialist to find and vet clinical sites in or near their communities. 

In addition to clinical hours, learners attend one two to four day in-person immersion at the Simmons School of Nursing campus in Boston. During this immersion experience, learners complete a physical assessment exam, participate in workshops, attend seminars, and form lasting bonds with classmates and faculty.