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You are here: Home / Nursing Masters / Transferring Credits From One Master’s Program In Nursing To Another

Transferring Credits From One Master’s Program In Nursing To Another

By Paul Mannet

Click to List Of Nursing Master’s Schools That Accept Transfer Credits  |  Transfer MSN Programs After Failing Out  |  RN to MSN Bridge Programs Online  |  What Qualifications Do You Need For An MSN Program?  |  Top MSN Specializations  |  Can An MSN Count Toward CNL Certification?

transfer from one nursing masters school to anotherOnline colleges and universities today usually have very welcoming policies toward undergrad transfer students. But what if you’re in the middle of a nursing master’s degree program and want to transfer the credits you earned to another nursing school?

The good news is that many master’s and even doctoral programs in nursing accept at least some transfer credits for previous coursework at another school. However, you need to be ready to dig pretty hard to find out what the rules are for nursing programs that accept transfer students. Their websites often don’t make policies on graduate student transfer nearly as clear as those for bachelor degree students.

Nursing masters programs that accept transfer credits

Sponsored Schools
Grand Canyon University
GCU accepted courses from accredited schools if they are equivalent to a Grand Canyon MSN course and the school is deemed acceptable by GCU. You can transfer in 12 credits or 1/3 of the value of the total grad program if you earned your credits in another degree that you finished and got at a grade of at least B. You must take the first introductory course in the master’s program at GCU.
– M.S. Nursing Education
– M.S. Nursing Leadership & Healthcare Systems
– M.S. Nursing Healthcare & Patient Safety
– M.S. Leadership & Healthcare Systems Bridge Program (For RN’s with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing specialty)
Get Information on Grand Canyon University

transferring nursing school creditsClick to see our full database of online nursing master’s degree programs

South University
South’s acceptance of transfer credits to it’s nursing master’s programs is based on the discretion of the department chair, who you would need to contact directly. Programs include:
– MSN Gerontology
– RN to MSN in Nursing Administration
– MSN Nursing Informatics
– RN to MSN Nurse in Nurse Education
Additional MSN degrees offered online in Family Nurse Practice and other specialties.
Get Free Information on South University’s MSN Programs

Benedictine University
Benedictine accepts up to 12 semester credits in transfer toward MSN programs. You must have achieved at least a B grade and courses must have been taken in the last five years to transfer in. Benedictine’s nursing masters programs online include:
– Master of Science in Nursing
– MSN Nurse Executive Leader
– MSN Nurse Educator
– Dual MBA MSN
Get Free Information on Benedictine University’s MSN Programs

Chamberlain Transfer Credits

Chamberlain College of Nursing is one of the more widely-known schools for online nursing degrees. The rules on transferring credits into one of their graduate programs include:

  • You must have received a grade of at least “B” for any previous course you want to transfer in.
  • For most programs, you must have completed courses within the past 10 years for them to qualify for transfer toward a Chamberlain degree. But on certain master degree programs like Informatics and Family Nurse Practitioner, only coursework done in the past 5 years is eligible to be transferred in.
  • Finally, credits for any graduate certificates you may have earned will not be accepted for transfer.

The last point on certificate credits is an unpredictable one. Policies on applying certificate credits to master’s degrees definitely vary from one school to another. Purdue University Global, for example, makes a point of noting on its website that credits earned in any of its nursing certificate programs may be eligible toward a graduate degree – at least toward one of Purdue’s own graduate programs.

Limits on how many credits you can transfer in also vary from one nursing graduate school to another. Grand Canyon University, as an example, will accept up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements on master’s degrees, pending certain requirements. On the other hand, Western Governors University, which has some of friendliest policies toward adult students in the online degree world, simply does not accept any transfer credits at the master’s degree level. Among schools that do accept graduate transfer credits, it’s not unusual to find that 15 credits is the maximum accepted for previous learning. But there is no hard and fast rule. Ashford University accepts no more than 9 transfer credits on its Doctor of Nursing Practice grad degree, while Regis College will accept no more than 2 courses in transfer for grad school and famed Columbia University in New York accepts up to six credits or graduate or doctoral level courses from another school.

Remember that whether you’re looking at BSN or MSN programs, no matter how many nursing courses you have already taken, there will be a minimum number of credit you will have to earn at the school you are transferring into. That’s true at almost any school, regardless of what major you’re studying for.

If you can determine that a school of interest to you accepts graduate credits in transfer for master’s degrees in nursing, you then need to go through the same steps you would to transfer credits into a bachelor program. Generally, you will need to provide a syllabus for any course you took to prove that it replaces a particular course at your new school, supply a transcript of your grades and demonstrate that you have completed any required clinical work. If your school turns down transfer of a particular course, it can be worth asking them to reconsider. If you do some research and manage to prove that the content of a course you took previously really does match a course they want you to take again, you can often submit an appeal form. It’s less likely that they will accept core major requirement courses from another school than prerequisites, but you never know for sure until you try. It can be well worth the effort. Whatever approach you take, remember to get your transfer review process started as early as possible. Some admissions departments take several weeks to come back with a decision.

Switching Nursing Schools Halfway through a Program

The longer you study in one nursing school, the tougher it will be to transfer all the credits you’ve earned to another nursing program. That’s partly because courses, even courses with the same name, can vary a lot from one school to another. Because of this, if you’re not happy with a nursing program you’re in, it maybe a better idea to get out of it sooner rather than later so you can make a fresh start.

How many credits a nursing school will accept can be difficult to determine without talking to the school you’re looking to move to. Many school don’t make it clear on their websites exactly what the maximum number of credit transfers they will accept is. The type of courses you want to transfer makes a big different. BSN programs often don’t accept any clinical coursework, and some don’t accept transfer credit for any advanced level courses. BSN schools may insist that you have at least a B grade in any course at another school in order to transfer credit from it, but will allow credits for non nursing courses in the introductory phase of a BSN if you only earned a C. Additionally, many BSN programs will only accept you as a transfer student if you completed at least one year of study, or about 60 credits, at another school. On both nursing bachelor’s and master’s degrees, transfer credits are generally more complex than with humanities type degrees.

Can I Get Into Another Nursing Program After Failing Out?

Failing out of a bachelor’s nursing program can put you in a tough position. Many schools want to be able to say their graduates all pass the NCLEX exam, and if you have failed out of one school, they may not believe you’ll be able to finish their program and pass the test. It may be helpful if the transcript from the school you are leaving lists your failing grades as “W” for withdraw rather than as fails. But you will need to he honest when the admission counselor at your new school asks why you are jumping schools.

At the MSN level, the simple fact that there are fewer spaces open for students than at the bachelor level, so schools can be more picky. Many nurses who did well in their BSN program struggle when they get to graduate school because they have to balance their studies with a full-time job. Also, classes like advanced pharmacology you encounter in an MSN program are much tougher than what you run into as an undergrad.

If you failed to complete an MSN program at one school for any reason at all, you’ll need to talk to admission advisers at a school you want to transfer to. Because graduate nursing classes are quite specialized, you may find it hard to prove that classes at your first school completely match those at your new school, which will be an obstacle to getting transfer credits.

When you apply for transfer, it’s important to be armed with a good story about why you’re going to do much better at your target school. Transfers at the graduate level are considered closely on a case by cases basis, so your attitude and your ability to portray the work you did at your first school in a positive light can boost your chances of success.

RN to MSN Bridge Programs Online

If you’re an RN who has not yet earned aa bachelor’s degree, but you’d like to get a nursing job that a master’s might qualify you for, an RN to MSN program could be worth your consideration It can provide a fast track to a graduate level credential. These so called “bridge” degree programs, which allow you to compress your bachelor and master’s degree studies, can allow you to do both your undergrad and graduate program at one nursing school, without having to think about applying to an MSN program or transferring credits. program and tare fairly unique to the nursing profession. In recent years, RN to MSN online programs have gained in popularity, as new nursing specialties have sprung up that require nurses with more advanced qualifications.

While virtually all of these degrees are designed to help you earn a nursing master’s on an accelerated basis, they don’t all have the same admission requirements. Some RN to MSN online bridge programs can be completed in three years if you study at an intensive rate. By comparison, going to college for a full bachelor’s degree and then going to a graduate school to get your MSN can take you more than six years of full-time study.

What Qualifications Do You Need For An MSN Program?

The first question to research is what kind of credentials you need to enter a particular degree programs. Many of the top RN to MSN programs are designed for RNs who have an associate’s in nursing and at least two years of work experience in the field. But many will accept RNs who have a diploma rather than an associate’s. Still others are designed for RNs who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing specialty.

If you have completed some college study toward a BSN or any other type of bachelor’s degree, make sure to ask out about transferring credits from your old school toward your MSN. Since the basic idea of the RN to MSN degree is to accelerate the student’s studies, most schools that offer it tend to be friendly toward degree transfer. And because this type of program does include bachelor’s level study, which means a certain number of general education or humanities type courses, it’s very likely that at least some of your bachelor’s degree courses will be counted toward your MSN even if you were studying to be an English major previously.

Top MSN Specializations

The nursing master’s can qualify you for a management positions in a hospital or other health care facility, for certain clinical specializations or even, in some cases, to become an independent practitioner. Some popular specialties for MSN degrees include:

  • Nurse Midwifery
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Anesthetist
  • Nurse Educator
  • Nursing Informatics Specialist
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Health Care Nurse
  • Emergency Nurse Practitioner
  • Women’s Health Care (Title X) Specialist

It’s hard to provide exact earnings numbers for MSN degree holders because they work in so many different specialties. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, an advanced practice nurse coming out of school can earn up to $90,000. per year (Source: AACN), though salaries in small health facilities in rural areas can be less than half that. Nurse anesthetists are about at the top of the earnings ladder. According to a recent article on ExploreHealthCareers.org, they can earn well over $200,000. (Many advanced nursing specialties, including nurse anesthetist, require certification in addition to a master’s degree.)

Graduate Options If You Have a BSN

Be aware of two issues relating bachelor degree studies. First: if you enter an RN to MSN program with only an associate’s degree, you may not be eligible to go into all of the specialties that are open to BSN holders. Second: while most RN to MSN programs give you a bachelor’s degree along with your master’s, some do not. It’s not likely that the lack of a BSN will hinder you if you have an MSN, but it’s good to make sure that it doesn’t present an issue in the particular specialty or even the exact hospital you want to work in.

Why Not Just Get an RN to BSN?

RN to BSN programs have become extremely popular for nurses wanting to move up the career ladder. A BSN can certainly help get a nurse hired in many hospitals and clinics. But this type of degree doesn’t provide a background in leadership or management. If you’re a nurse who would like to eventually stop spending 100% of your time in direct patient care, which can become physically taxing as you get older, an MSN is more likely to qualify you for a managerial position than a nursing bachelor’s degree.

Can An MSN Count Toward CNL Certification?

Many RN to MSN online programs are meant to qualify the graduate to sit for the CNL (clinical nurse leader) Certificate Exam sponsored by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The CNL is a somewhat new role in healthcare. A clinical nurse leader will oversee the care of certain specific patients, generally who tend to have complex health issues. CNLs college info on patients and evaluate care outcomes, working with doctors, pharmacists, social workers and others in the clinical care environment. This is a senior role in direct patient care and not, strictly speaking a management position. However, it can be a more intellectually challenging role with a slightly higher salary and a basic nursing position. CNL jobs can also offer some upward mobility to nurses working in hospitals where budget constraints have cut down on the number of management jobs available.

For a fast alternative approach for early stage RNs, read about direct entry MSN programs and accelerated nursing master’s.

Hard Work That Pays Off

It’s harder work to find out about credit transfer at the graduate level, but it can be well worth the effort. Graduate degrees in nursing can be expensive, and getting credit for your previous work can save a great deal of time and money. It’s something you don’t want to overlook if you want to get to the next level in your nursing career quickly.

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Filed Under: Nursing Masters Tagged With: transfer nursing certificate credits, transfer nursing credit, transfer nursing masters degree

Sponsored Schools

 
South University
South University, founded in 1899, has just under 10,000 students in online and campus-based programs. It’s located in Savannah, Georgia. Nursing masters programs online include:
– MSN Gerontology
– RN to MSN in Nursing Administration
– MSN Nursing Informatics
– RN to MSN Nurse in Nurse Education
Additional MSN degrees offered online in Family Nurse Practice and other specialties.
Get Free Information on South University’s MSN Programs

nurse master's programs online**Click here to see a full list of online schools with masters degrees in nursing**

Benedictine University
Benedictine is a private school founded in Illinois in 1899. It has over 5,000 students and a very wide range of degree programs. Benedictine’s nursing masters programs online include:
– Master of Science in Nursing
– MSN Nurse Executive Leader
– MSN Nurse Educator
– Dual MBA MSN
Get Free Information on Benedictine University’s MSN Programs

Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon is a private school founded in 1949 that has over 40,000 students, both online and at it’s Phoenix, AZ main campus. It’s recognized by Fortune Magazine a top-five online school for entrepreneurs. Degrees are offered across many different subject areas. Nursing programs include
RN to BSN program
– MS in Nursing, in specialties including Public Health, Informatics, Leadership, Nurse Education and others.
Get Free Information on all Grand Canyon programs
More on Grand Canyon accreditation:
In choosing a university, you should ensure your choice is regionally accredited, as this provides an assurance of quality as well as continual institutional program improvement.
Regional accreditation in higher education originated almost a century ago as an American process conferred by a nongovernmental agency. Today, one of the most respected agencies is the Higher Learning Commission, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and its predecessor have accredited GCU continually since 1968. GCU obtained its most recent 10-year reaccreditation in 2007.
To be accredited, the HLC’s examiners and trained peers visit GCU’s campus, analyze and accept the university’s operations and academic outcomes as meeting HLC’s core competencies.
http://www.gcu.edu/degree-programs/ppc
http://www.gcu.edu/documents/legacy/GCUAccreditation.pdf
Additional Accreditation for Nursing Education:
– Earlier Graduation – Our 4 credit classes allow you to complete your nursing degree in less time.
– Degree Variety – GCU offers bachelors and master’s degrees, as well as post-masters certificates. We offer high-demand programs such as RN to BSN, and MSN’s with multiple emphases.
– Accredited – The College of Nursing and Health Care Professions offers programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)1 and approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
– Learn From Leaders – At Grand Canyon University, classes are taught by industry leaders and subject matter experts.
– 1The baccalaureate degree in nursing and master’s degree in nursing at Grand Canyon University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
– GCU’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions is also approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
– ²Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Registered Nurses, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

About Paul Mannet

Paul Mannet has worked for over 15 years in digital media as a publisher, business analyst and project director. His experience in higher education includes student recruitment work with The Chronicle of Higher Education, Blackboard, eLearners and with several leading online schools. He has also helped entrepreneurs gain funding from investors, and organized large business and tech teams to execute major website launches.
Contact me by email
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Sponsored Schools

Purdue University Global
Purdue is a large school now offering online career training. It offers degrees in many different areas. For licensed nurses, if offers an RN to BS program, or an Accelerated BSN to MSN Degree. Nursing master's degrees are also offered in:
- Gerontology
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- MS Nurse Educator
- Informatics
- Nursing Administration
Get Free Information on Purdue University Nursing

Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon is a private school founded in 1949 that has over 40,000 students, both online and at it's Phoenix, AZ main campus. It's recognized by Fortune Magazine a top-five online school for entrepreneurs. Degrees are offered across many different subject areas, including health care and nursing:
Get Free Information on Grand Canyon's RN to BSN program

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