Nursing (MSN)

The Master of Science in Nursing program offers an advanced nurse generalist focus which provides contemporary professional skills and knowledge for leadership in the healthcare system. The program encourages nurses to develop scholarly practice to deliver health care that is caring, holistic, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. Opportunities are offered for working professionals to concurrently integrate educational principles into direct practice. The program vision is to inspire nurses to develop a lifelong commitment to nursing scholarship and leadership advancing the profession into the future. This program aims to fulfill the recommendations of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) guidelines as prescribed in the Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing for professional nursing practice (AACN, 2011).

Program Mission

The College of Nursing at Keiser University utilizes a “student first” philosophy to increase access to nursing education for a varied student body at the undergraduate and graduate level and prepares students to provide holistic nursing care to improve individual, community, and global health outcomes.

Program Goals

1. Critical thinkers who creatively engage in rational inquiry using nursing processes and current research to improve healthcare outcomes.
2. Caring culturally responsive communicators capable of effectively leading interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
3. Nursing professionals dedicated towards advancing a culture of professional excellence and achievement through lifelong learning.
4. Nursing leaders prepared to assume leadership roles in health care systems.
5. Ethically responsive nursing leaders who advocate to influence policy decisions to improve health care that is effective, timely, efficient, and equitable for all members of society.
6. Effective collaborators of healthcare committed to improving best practices in health promotion, disease prevention, quality, safety and equality.
7. Professional written communicators through organizing, thinking critically, and communicating ideas and information in documents and presentations.

Applicants desiring to enter Keiser University must submit an application to the Admissions Office well in advance of the start date. This permits proper scheduling and ensures availability of classroom space. Applications for Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall semesters should be made as early as possible, as these entry dates are normally the time of greatest enrollment.

Credit for courses or degrees completed at another institution is subject to approval by the Dean of Academic Affairs. These courses or degrees must be similar in content and duration to those offered in the program for which an applicant has applied. The Dean of Academic Affairs makes the final decision of accepted transfer credits from the received transcript. However, only courses listed on official transcripts receive permanent official transfer credit. To grant such credit, Keiser University must receive official transcript directly from the previous institution by the end of a student’s first semester. Keiser University requires that, at a minimum, a student complete at least one third of the credit hours required for any graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree through instruction offered by Keiser University. Active duty, reservists, and National Guard service members who are students can complete at a minimum one third of a program at any time through the University. Transfer students are informed in writing of any credits accepted as transferable. Preliminary notification is presented, in most cases, prior to enrollment but in no case later than the end of a transfer student's first semester. Students are responsible for having official transcripts sent to Keiser University from all former institution(s). It may be necessary for students to forfeit some previously earned credit in the transfer process since college philosophies, objectives and programs may vary and change from year to year. Keiser University does not make any blanket assurances or guarantees regarding the acceptance or transferability of credits from other institutions. Each credit evaluation is conducted on a caseby-case basis in accordance with university policy.

Keiser University may accept transfer credits from a college or university recognized by the by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Coursework must be equivalent in content, level, and credit hours to the corresponding Keiser University course/s.

Qualified, accepted master’s degree seeking students may transfer a maximum of 12 graduate level credits, but no more than two-thirds of the total credit hours (whichever is less), required for the program unless otherwise specified by a programmatic accreditor.

Acceptable courses will be equivalent to a B grade or higher unless otherwise specified by programmatic requirements. Courses represented with a Pass or Satisfactory grade may be transferable at the discretion of the program chair and/or appropriate program Dean.

Courses in the MSN program are eight weeks in length and students are scheduled for one or two courses concurrently.

Keiser University publishes this program as 33.0 graduate semester credit hours, approximately 22 months in length (this will vary if a student transfers in credits).

Keiser University’s Graduate School Academic Calendar runs three semesters a year, beginning in January, May and August, and each semester is made up of two eight-week terms — six start dates a year.

Keiser University charges tuition and education fees per semester, based on scheduled credit hours. Each semester is 16 weeks. The rates below are the university’s published Tuition and Fee Disclosure for the Graduate School, effective Fall Semester 2026, and are subject to annual review.

This program is charged at the rate for Master of Science allied health programs.

An education fee of $750.00 per semester is charged for all graduate-level programs. One-time charges on enrolment are an application fee of $55.00 and a registration fee of $145.00.

Graduates of Keiser University’s MSN program prepare to pursue nurse leadership roles within healthcare systems, as well as positions in nursing education, healthcare administration, and advanced practice nursing. This master’s degree supports registered nurses and advanced practice nurses by building their ability to lead interprofessional healthcare teams, implement evidence-based nursing practice, conduct nursing research, and address complex patient care challenges across diverse healthcare settings and facilities.

Career Pathways in Nursing

• Director of nursing
• Head of department
• Nurse manager
• Nursing supervisor
• Nurse administrator
• Nursing instructor
• Nurse research specialist
• Nurse consultant
• Clinical nurse specialist

Keiser University’s graduate nursing programs prepare experienced registered nurses ready to advance their careers through master’s or doctoral study. With flexible online and on campus options, our nursing degree programs align with your leadership goals and clinical aspirations. Whether you want to move into nurse executive roles, become a nurse educator, transition to a family nurse practitioner, or contribute to nursing research, Keiser provides the advanced nursing education and practical knowledge needed to make a lasting impact in healthcare.