Nursing MSN (Online)

MSNMaster's

A student in red scrubs and a surgical mask completes her homework in a waiting room

Ready to take your nursing career to the next level? Montclair’s flexible online 35-credit Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for working nurses ready to advance into nursing administration or education in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Why Earn Your MSN at Montclair?

  • Develop Specialized Expertise: Deepen your clinical knowledge and gain the advanced training needed for roles like Nurse Educator or Nurse Administrator.
  • Lead With Confidence: Strengthen your skills in leadership, healthcare policy, and management to influence change in healthcare systems and improve patient outcomes at scale.
  • Increase Your Earning Potential: Qualify for higher-paying roles in advanced practice, administration and academia.
  • Gain National Recognition: Ranked No. 2 in NJ and No. 58 nationally by U.S. News & World Report, your Montclair MSN sets you apart.
  • Prepare for Doctoral Study: Build the foundation for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD in Nursing.
  • Finish Faster: Earn your MSN in just 2-3 years.

Whether you’re moving from bedside to boardroom or shaping the future of nursing through education, Montclair’s Online MSN program helps you go further without putting your career on hold.

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The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing at Montclair State University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Online Classes

All courses in the MSN program are delivered fully online, giving you the freedom to learn when and where it works best for you. Whether you’re balancing work, family, or both, you’ll have 24/7 access to course materials, lectures, and assignments — so you can stay on track without sacrificing your schedule.

In-person Clinical Hours

In addition to online coursework, students are required to complete 150 in-person clinical practicum hours. These hours offer vital hands-on experience and help you apply what you’re learning in real-world settings. In many cases, you may be able to complete your hours at your current place of employment — making the program even more convenient for working nurses.

Nursing Administration

Want to lead change and improve outcomes across entire healthcare systems? The 35-credit MSN in Nursing Administration prepares you to take on leadership roles that influence patient care and operational excellence.

This online program blends nursing knowledge with business acumen through 9 credits of coursework in the Feliciano School of Business, taken alongside MBA students. You’ll build skills in project management, team building, operations, quality improvement, and strategic leadership — all through a healthcare lens.

Graduates are prepared to lead teams, drive innovation, and assess the effectiveness of programs, services, and care delivery in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.

See the curriculum.

Nursing Education

If you’re passionate about teaching and want to shape the next generation of nurses, the 35-credit MSN in Nursing Education is for you.

This fully online concentration prepares registered nurses to design and deliver effective, evidence-based instruction in both academic and clinical settings. Coursework includes curriculum development, theories of measurement and evaluation, and outcomes-based approaches that support safe, relevant, and professional nursing practice.

With a strong focus on addressing the national nursing shortage, this program equips graduates to create meaningful interdisciplinary learning experiences and meet the growing demand for nurse educators in diverse care environments.

See the curriculum.

Featured Course: Nursing Education – Curriculum Development

In Curriculum Development, you’ll learn how nurse educators design effective nursing education programs for both academic and clinical settings.

Explore how to organize course content, write clear objectives, and align lessons with educational goals and professional standards. You’ll dive into teaching philosophies, methods of evaluation, and the legal and ethical issues that shape curriculum development in healthcare.

By the end of the course, you’ll have hands-on experience designing and assessing a nursing curriculum of your own.

No BSN? No Problem.

Want to be a nurse but have a bachelor’s degree in another field? Take the first step with Montclair’s Pre-Licensure MSN — and get NCLEX-ready.

Real-World Impact, Real Student Voices

Hear how Montclair’s Online MSN program helped working nurses like Elsie advance their careers while balancing real-life responsibilities.

“I liked the practicality and flexibility. As a working nurse, I was able to incorporate my work into my studies and my studies into my work. It wasn’t just reading content from a book — it was about how that content applied to what I was already doing.”

Elsie Alabi-Gonzalez, MSN, RN ‘18 & ‘21
Program: MSN in Nursing Education

Cost & Financial Aid

As a public institution, Montclair offers one of the most affordable nursing programs in New Jersey.

The School of Nursing proudly partners with Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center, Atlantic Health System, and St. Joseph’s University Medical Center to provide a 20% tuition discount for eligible employees enrolled in the Online MSN program.

Admission Requirements

To apply to Montclair’s MSN program, you’ll need to submit:

  • A completed online application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • A minimum 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate studies
  • A current resume
  • RN licensure in good standing or eligibility for RN licensure if you’re a new graduate
    • New graduate nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN within 6 months of matriculation.
  • Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or employers
  • A one-page personal statement outlining:
    • Your reason for applying
    • Your learning goals
    • Relevant professional experience

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

RN to MSN Bridge

Already a licensed RN with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field? You can apply directly to the Online MSN program through the RN to MSN Bridge.

Upon acceptance into the program, you’ll complete the following four undergraduate-level nursing courses before beginning in master’s-level coursework:

  • NURS 340 – Information Technology and Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • NURS 350 – Evidence-based Practice in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NURS 410 – Leadership in Nursing (3 credits)
  • NURS 432 – Population and Global Health: Didactic and Practicum (4 credits)

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

For the Office of Graduate Admissions

Get guidance on the application process, from admission requirements and deadlines to transcripts and test scores.

For the Online Nursing MSN

Learn what to expect from this fully online program, including course delivery, technology and student support.

Program Director: Dr. Joan Valas

Explore the curriculum, faculty, research and outcomes. The Program Director can help you connect the program to your goals.

Next Steps

Wherever you learn—on campus or online—Montclair State University offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.

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Montclair Online offers the same nationally recognized faculty, engaging coursework and supportive community as our on-campus classes - designed to fit your life. With multiple start dates each year, you can begin when the time is right for you.

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