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Welcome to Capella
Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.
A flexible Master of Science in Nursing
The accredited* Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced nursing practice in a variety of specialized roles. Capella faculty and the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Advisory Board ensure your curriculum is developed with the insight and support of industry leaders.
MSN in Care Coordination
Master of Science in Nursing
MSN in Nursing Education
Master of Science in Nursing
MSN in Nursing Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing
MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-MSN Care Coordination
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-MSN Nursing Education
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-MSN Nursing Informatics
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration
Master of Science in Nursing
MSN in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
MSN in Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Online Master of Science in Nursing overview
Our CCNE-accredited* online MSN program is designed to help registered nurses reach for their professional goals with flexible, online specializations.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program
at Capella University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
(http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Why Capella?
- Flexibility
- Quality curriculum
- Student experience
- Cost & savings
With FlexPath, you can earn your MSN in 14 months and under $15,000.*
*Based on fastest 25 percent of students. Your program length and cost will vary by transfer credits, the per-session cost and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies and other fees apply. Available in select programs.
Two online learning formats fit your life
FlexPath
- Take one or two courses at a time
- Set your own deadlines. You can finish a course and move on to the next one without having to wait for a new term
- Complete as many courses as you can in each 12-week billing session
- Available in select programs
GuidedPath
- Work on assignments with fixed weekly deadlines
- Take up to three classes per quarter
- Follow a set schedule of 10-week quarters
1 of nursing alumni agree that FlexPath provided the flexibility they needed to pursue their degrees.
Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
1 of nursing alumni are satisfied with their Capella education.
Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
Expert advisory board
The Capella School of Nursing and Health Sciences Advisory Board helps ensure that your curriculum is developed with the insight and support of industry leaders.
Distinguished faculty
Our expert faculty members have designed curricula to enable our learners and graduates to impact patient, system and population outcomes.
1 of alumni agree that Capella faculty were well qualified and did a good job.
Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
“I’ve had several faculty members who truly became mentors for me. Their support, guidance and feedback have helped me to make the absolute most of my learning experience and mesh schoolwork with real-world issues and situations.”
Isabel Francis
MSN graduate
Actual Capella graduate who agreed to appear in our promotional materials.
MSN outcomes
In this program, graduates are prepared to:
- Lead organizational change to improve the experience of care, population health and professional work life while decreasing the cost of care.
- Evaluate and apply the best available evidence for use in clinical and organizational decision-making. Perform ethically in personal and professional interactions.
- Drive process improvements to lead a culture of safety and quality.
- Design person- and population-centered care to improve health outcomes and advance health equity.
- Integrate strategies to improve communication and collaboration among team members to optimize care and strengthen outcomes.
- Integrate knowledge of existing and emerging information, communication and healthcare technologies to improve safety and quality, and decrease the cost of care.
- Evaluate how health policy, advocacy, legal standards and ethical practice advance the nursing profession.
- Communicate effectively, in an appropriate form and style, consistent with organizational, professional and scholarly standards.
Expand your knowledge of healthcare systems, policies, patient education and health promotion with specialized courses in:
MSN – Nurse Practitioner
Expand your potential in the field of advanced nursing practice with online specializations like Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner or Family Nurse Practitioner.
MSN services and resources
Education isn’t one-size-fits-all – that’s why support is available to you at every step. From choosing your program and starting classes, to coursework assistance and graduation, our support teams are here for you.
Join the over 20,000 nurses that have chosen Capella University for their nursing degree.
Academic support
- One-on-one enrollment and advising support
- Writing center, online library and tutoring services
- Expert faculty with real-world knowledge
Financing support
- Assistance with the financial aid process
- Scholarships, transfer credits and credit for prior learning
Career support
- Resume help, interview prep and employer database of job listings
- One-on-one career coaching
- Learner & Alumni Networking platform to connect in your field
Personal support
- Disability Services
- Student communities and peer-to-peer mentoring
- 24/7 tech support
Only you can make your degree happen – but our teams of experts are ready to help whenever you need it.
Alumni Association
Once you graduate, you’ll have a community of Capella students, alumni and faculty you can tap into for career advice and networking.
1 of nursing alumni agree that their degree has positioned them to achieve their professional ambitions.
Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2022–2023
Career Development Center
Explore your career options, navigate your job search, move toward your goals with help from our Career Development Center. We offer a variety of resources, including one-on-one career coaching. Start planning early.
Reduce your tuition
Scholarships & grants
Capella scholarships and federal grants are funds that you don’t have to pay back.
- Capella Progress Rewards aren’t need-based – they’re simply our way to support your commitment to your education.*
- Capella University has partnered with Optum® to help prepare and support nurses for the future of healthcare through credible flexible education for nurse practitioner students.*
*Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Previous experience
Get the credit you deserve. You may be able to save time and money on your Capella degree by transferring credits from an accredited university or getting credit for prior learning (CPL).*
*All transfer and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) credit must be completed prior to starting any program in the FlexPath format. Any professional certification or external courses taken concurrently with FlexPath enrollment cannot be recognized in the Capella degree program.
FlexPath: Your pace. Your price.
With FlexPath, you can earn your MSN in 14 months and under $15,000.*
*Based on fastest 25% of students. Your program length and cost will vary by transfer credits, the per-session cost and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies and other fees apply.
Employer benefits
Tuition discounts and scholarships are available for eligible employees of our partner organizations.
More than 600 healthcare organizations invest in their employees by partnering with Capella University to offer tuition savings and other educational benefits.
Military discounts
Capella offers a tuition discount to eligible active-duty service members, Guard and Reserve members, veterans, their spouses and dependents.
Program specializations
Various factors impact your time and cost to complete your degree, such as your program specialization. For more information, visit the MSN specialization pages.
MSN – Nurse Practitioner
Frequently asked questions
Applicants to the MSN program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official transcripts, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Verification of your current, unrestricted registered nurse (RN) license to practice in the United States
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- An admission application (no application fee required)
- A background check
Applicants to the RN-to-MSN program must provide the following information for admission:
- A minimum of 135 completed undergraduate quarter credits or 90 completed undergraduate semester credits
- Your official undergraduate transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Verification of your current, unrestricted RN license to practice in the United States
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- An admission application (no application fee required)
- A background check
Applicants for our FlexPath self-paced learning option will be evaluated for admission with a holistic review; applicants with a GPA of less than 2.8 (recommended minimum) may be required to submit additional documents for review; contact an enrollment counselor to learn more about the FlexPath admission requirements
Applicants to the MSN-AGPCNP or MSN-FNP program must provide the following for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree in nursing from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official transcripts, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Verification of your current, unrestricted RN license to practice in the United States
- One year of RN experience within the past two years
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- An admission application (no application fee required)
- A background check
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
- Care Coordination
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Leadership and Administration
- RN-to-MSN Care Coordination
- RN-to-MSN Nursing Education
- RN-to-MSN Nursing Informatics
- RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners bring a comprehensive perspective and personal touch to healthcare. They are clinicians who blend clinical expertise in diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management.
Learn more about the nurse practitioner practicum.
Our MSN degree begins with core courses that lay the foundation for your program and strengthen your skills in key areas of nursing theory and practice. From there, you’ll move into the coursework for your chosen specialization to grow your expertise and advance toward your final project.
Inquire for more information on available degree programs in nursing.
Capella University School of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty members have designed curricula to enable our students and graduates to impact patient, systems and population outcomes. We do this by maintaining close collaborative relationships with our colleagues in practice to ensure we are appropriately focusing on current and emerging needs. In addition, our school curriculum framework focuses all programs on developing competencies in the critical areas of interprofessional teamwork, quality improvement, evidence-based practice and information management.
Our rigorous online competency-based coursework is designed to engage the student and make learning immediately applicable. All our courses incorporate real-world assignments that reflect the challenges of the practice environment. Our goal is to give students the opportunity to demonstrate competencies using real tools, processes and practices. Learning takes place in a highly supportive environment enriched with multiple resources aimed at assisting with success.
With FlexPath, you can take courses at your own speed and move on to the next one when you’re ready. Our self-paced learning format helps put you in control.
The FlexPath learning format offers flexibility – and support – to help you fit earning a degree into your busy life. Set your own deadlines. Use what you already know to progress at your own pace. And take advantage of one tuition fee every 12-week billing session to help lower costs. Books, supplies and other fees apply.
Compare that with our GuidedPath learning format, which offers structured learning with the flexibility of 24/7 access to the courseroom. Set deadlines help you stay focused and motivated. You’ll engage with peers for weekly discussion posts, and instructors provide regular check-ins and feedback on assessments. Tuition is billed on a pay-per-credit model for 10-week courses. So, you can plan out your degree to fit your schedule and budget.
The Master of Science in Nursing offers coursework exclusively online in both GuidedPath (in all programs) and FlexPath (in select programs) learning formats, while practicum and in-person requirements are recommended to be completed in your local community. Note: the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner specializations are not offered in FlexPath.
For more information on the specific requirements of the available specializations, visit the specialization pages:
- Care Coordination
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Informatics
- Nursing Leadership and Administration
- RN-to-MSN Care Coordination
- RN-to-MSN Nursing Education
- RN-to-MSN Nursing Informatics
- RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
To learn more about the requirements of the MSN degree program, speak with an enrollment counselor today.
Capella University offers degrees ranging from bachelor’s to doctorates. But what if you just need a specific class? Capella might be able to help you whether you’re looking for undergraduate or graduate courses.
We spoke with enrollment specialists Rey Bayl and Terry Metoxen to get their insights on how individual courses work and what you can expect from the experience. Read their blog post: Yes, you can take an individual college course >>
Additional nursing resources
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Nursing program guide
Get the details on every nursing program offered at Capella University – including available learning formats, financing options and more, all in one place.