PROFESSIONAL STUDIES - RN TO MSN PATHWAY - MOSTLY ONLINE
From your RN license to a Master of Science in Nursing in as few as two years.
Take your nursing career to the next level with Mississippi State University's flexible RN-to-MSN pathway. Designed for working
registered nurses with an associate's degree, this program recognizes your previous education and nursing experience,
helping you save time while advancing your education. Complete your bachelor's and master's degrees in as few as two years.
Your RN-to-MSN journey begins with the education and experience you already have. Eligible nurses can complete the Bachelor of Applied Science in Professional Studies in as little as one year, followed by the Master of Science in Nursing in one of our unique specializations in approximately one additional year.
Where you start
Start with your ADN and active RN license
60 credit hours from your Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) transfers to MSU. You must have an active, unencumbered RN license that allows you to practice in Mississippi.
Fast track · about 1 year
Earn your Bachelor of Applied Science in Professional Studies online
Complete 31 credit hours at Mississippi State University toward the B.A.S. degree. Up to 29 credit hours will be awarded to you for your prior learning and work experience as an RN.
Where you finish · about 1 year
Advance to your MSN
After you complete your B.A.S. degree, you will move into the MSN portion where you will complete 34 core MSN credit hours then additional 15 credit hours in one of our unique concentrations.
Where your 154 credits come from
Only 31 of the 120 bachelor's credits are new coursework. The other 89 come from your ADN (60) and Credit for Prior Learning (29). Add the 34-credit MSN, and you take 65 credits in all.
Already counted89 credits you do not have to take
60
29
Courses you take65 credits: 31 for the BAS + 34 for the MSN
12
19
19
15
Already counted:ADN transfer (60)Credit for Prior Learning (up to 29)
You take:General education (12)Additional BAS courses (19)MSN core (19)MSN concentration (15)
Where your 154 credits come from - Part 2
Bachelor's portion: 120 credits
Transfer credits from community college (ADN)60
General education courses12
Additional courses at Mississippi State19
PCS/NSG 2111 Introduction to the Bachelor of Applied Science1
NSG 4004 Professional Nursing Practice4
NSG 4003 Professional Nursing Practice Practicum3
PCS 4112 Professional Success Strategies in Applied Fields2
3000/4000-level PCS courses from recommended course listView recommended courses9
PCS 3103 Professional Leadership Strategies (3 credits)
This course is tailored to empower adult learners currently active in the workforce, and students with proficiency in technical fields by equipping them with practical expertise to elevate their leadership capabilities.
PCS 3003 Professional Collaboration and Technology in the Workplace (3 credits)
Explores the fundamental technical documentation, interpersonal skills, and collaborative strategies necessary for effective workplace interactions at the supervisory, middle management, and executive levels. The course centers on refining professional interaction competencies for adult learners in the workforce.
PCS 4413 Ethical & Legal Issues in Leadership (3 credits)
This course examines the complex ethical and legal issues that leaders face in organizational settings. Students will explore foundational ethical theories and their application to leadership, focusing on how leaders can navigate ethical dilemmas and make responsible decisions.
Credit for Prior Learning: up to 29 credits
If you meet the competencies, and as a licensed RN you are expected to, these seven courses are awarded as credit.
Credit for Prior Learning (up to)29
NSG 4015 Person-Centered Care I: Fundamental Concepts for Nursing Practice5
NSG 4025 Person-Centered Care I: Practicum5
NSG 4116 Person-Centered Care II: Applied Clinical Judgment in Nursing Practice6
NSG 4125 Person-Centered Care II: Practicum5
NSG 4134 Applied Clinical Judgment in Specialty Populations4
NSG 4141 Specialty Populations Practicum1
NSG 4163 Patient Safety and Quality Improvement3
Is This Pathway for You
Is this pathway for you?
This flexible, hybrid pathway is designed for registered nurses who hold an Associate Degree in Nursing, do not hold a bachelor’s degree in any field, maintain an active RN license with eligibility to practice in Mississippi, and want to advance to graduate nursing education while continuing to work.
You have an Associate Degree in Nursing from a community college.
You hold an active, unencumbered RN license that allows you to practice in Mississippi.
You can complete your clinical hours in Mississippi.
You want to enter the Master of Science in Nursing, which requires a bachelor's degree
2.8 overall GPA
Why the BAS?
The The Bachelor of Applied Science in Professional Studies builds on your associate degree and strengthens skills in leadership, communication, and decision-making, preparing you for the next step in graduate nursing education.
Delivered mostly online, so you can keep working while you earn your degree. See what to expect below for the in-person and clinical requirements.
What to expect: online and in-person requirements
First: about 1 yearBachelor's portion
CourseworkOnline
On campusNone expected
ClinicalOne credit hour of practicumIncluded in your two undergraduate nursing courses, NSG 4003 and NSG 4004 (7 credits in all). It must be completed in Mississippi, but it can be in your home community.
Then: about 1 yearMaster of Science in Nursing
CourseworkOnline
On campusFour datesFour on-campus dates in the health assessment course.
ClinicalInternship hours360 hours for Nursing Education and Simulation. 240 hours for Nursing Leadership in Health Systems and for Nursing Informatics and Data Science.
All clinical hours must be completed in Mississippi, even if you live in another state.Graduate internship hours can be completed anywhere in Mississippi with faculty approval.
YOUR DESTINATION
Choose your MSN concentration
Once you finish the bachelor's portion, you enter the post-licensure Master of Science in Nursing and select one of three concentrations. Each adds 15 credits of specialized coursework to the post-licensure MSN core, with supervised clinical internship hours.
Nursing Education and Simulation
Prepares nurses for roles in academic and clinical nursing education and workforce development. You develop the knowledge and skills to facilitate learning, evaluate educational outcomes, implement best practices in simulation and competency-based education, and lead educational initiatives across diverse settings.
15specialty credits
360supervised clinical internship hours
What you will be prepared to do
In addition to the outcomes for the MSN degree:
Assume the role of nurse educator in academic and practice settings.
Design competency-based nursing curricula.
Develop and evaluate simulation experiences.
Integrate emerging technologies into nursing education and simulation.
Roles you could serve in
FacultyClinical educatorSimulation specialistSimulation center leader
Nursing Leadership in Health Systems
Prepares nurse leaders who can influence healthcare systems, lead organizational improvement initiatives, and promote quality, safety, and equitable healthcare outcomes. The curriculum integrates systems leadership, healthcare operations, quality improvement, population health, organizational performance, and innovation.
15specialty credits
240supervised clinical internship hours
What you will be prepared to do
In addition to the outcomes for the MSN degree:
Lead healthcare teams and organizational initiatives that improve quality, safety, and population health outcomes.
Apply systems thinking to address complex healthcare challenges across diverse settings.
Design, implement, and evaluate quality improvement and organizational change initiatives.
Utilize data, evidence, and financial considerations to support strategic decision-making.
Roles you could serve in
Nurse managerDirectorClinical operations leaderQuality improvement specialistPopulation health leaderHealthcare administrator
Nursing Informatics and Data Science
Prepares nurses to transform healthcare through the effective use of information, technology, and data. The curriculum integrates nursing informatics, healthcare data analytics, digital health, clinical information systems, artificial intelligence, and evidence-based decision-making.
15specialty credits
240supervised clinical internship hours
What you will be prepared to do
In addition to the outcomes for the MSN degree:
Utilize data analytics and informatics tools to improve healthcare quality, safety, and population health outcomes.
Design, implement, and evaluate clinical information systems and digital health solutions.
Translate healthcare data into actionable insights that support organizational and clinical decision-making.
Lead technology adoption, optimization, and digital transformation initiatives across healthcare settings.
Roles you could serve in
Nursing informaticistClinical analystHealthcare technology specialistDigital health leaderClinical systems managerHealthcare data strategist
Bachelor's degree (B.A.S.)120 credits
+
Master of Science in Nursing34 credits
=
RN to MSN total154 credits
Academic Advising
Advising is an essential part of your success in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Professional Studies program. Whether you are just getting started or preparing to graduate, your dedicated academic advisor is here to guide you every step of the way.
Dr. Kali Dunlap provides personalized advising for all students in the BAS program. From choosing the right courses to planning your path to graduation, your advisor is here to support you throughout your academic journey.
Advising Guidelines
Upon university admission, reach out to your advisor to determine the appropriate courses.
Mississippi State University relies on email as its official means of communication for all MSU students.
Check your MSU email daily for important updates. Find instructions for setting up your MSU online on the student services website.
Program Reminders
Ensure to consult with your advisor if you intend to deviate from the program.
If you opt for courses outside your recommended program of study, there is a risk that the classes will not count toward the degree.
A student may not receive a BAS degree if the student already has a bachelor's degree.
All programs of study are subject to review by the Registrar's Office for graduation, even from a signed program of study. Courses that do not equal MSU courses exactly may or may not apply to your program as core courses.
Choose Professional Studies (BAS) as your major and Online Education as your campus.
Complete identity verification. Applicants must complete identity verification through Stripe Identity. This step helps confirm the applicant's identity before the application can be completed.
2
Submit the application fee
$50 (domestic) or $60 (international).
Online payment is accepted through the MS State Admissions portal.
3
Submit official transcripts
Submit a separate official final transcript from each college or university attended. Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.
An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and must list all colleges attended on the application for admission.
You must be in good standing at the last college or university that you attended.
If you are unable to submit transcripts and other documentation electronically, you have the following options:
