MSN Degree Programs in Illinois

According to the 2007 Illinois Nursing Workforce Survey Report, only 8.5% of registered nurses in Illinois held a graduate degree and only 3.5% reported being enrolled in a a graduate program. These numbers do not bode well for future nursing faculty numbers. Entry level registered nursing, RN to BSN, master's and doctorate level nursing programs require their faculty to hold a master's or a doctorate degree, depending on the institution.

Based on these numbers there is some concern that master's level education is not as accessible as it should be to allow the baccalaureate educated nurse the opportunity to advance their education and career. Motivation to become a nurse educator has also been limited due to salary. Master's educated advanced practice nurses can earn substantially more than nursing faculty. One way the state of Illinois has been working around the nursing faculty shortage is by encouraging advanced practice nurses to take part-time second jobs as nurse educators. There are many resources for grants, financial aid and scholarships that can be found on the Illinois Center for Nursing website (www.nursing.illinois.gov/financial.htm) once you decide on a program.

According to the Advance for Nurses 2007 Salary Survey, MSN educated nurses earned an average annual salary of $67,750. Salary will depend on specialty area, facility, geography and other factors. The most common annual salary range for advanced practice nurses in Illinois, according to the 2007 Illinois Nursing Workforce Survey Report, was between $65,000 and $85,000.

There has been an increase in the number of MSN programs offered by nursing schools in Illinois as well as the number of online MSN programs that have no residency requirements and a variety of concentrations to choose from. The opportunity to earn a master's level education in nursing is improving and the benefits with regards to job satisfaction and increased salary with a master's education improve as well.

MSN programs take around 18 to 24 months to complete and online MSN programs can take as little as 16 months for concentrations other than advanced practice. The programs below build on the baccalaureate level nursing education. You might also want to research the Nurse Practitioner programs offered in Illinois.

Online MSN Programs Offered in Illinois

University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services

University of Phoenix offers a number of Online Master of Science in Nursing programs. They are designed for those nurses who want to take their careers to the next level and pursue more advanced positions in today's challenging health care environment. Request free information from University of Phoenix School to learn more today.

Walden University School of Nursing

Graduates of the Walden M.S. Degree Program in Nursing have the knowledge and skills to be leaders in the profession. They will be capable of contributing to positive social change in their own communities and throughout the world. Request free information from Walden University to learn more.

Capella University

Capella University offers a Master's in Nursing (MSN) degree program for registered nurses that are interested in pursuing careers as nurse educators or clinical nurse leaders.

Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - Nurse Educator

Click Here to request information from Capella University's MSN Program.

Benedictine University

This online Masters in Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. It is offered six times a year by the University.

Programs Offered: Master of Science in Nursing - Online (Specialization tracks to become nurse leaders, nurse educators, nurse administrators, Care Coordinators, Case Managers, Managed Care Consultants and more)

Click Here to request information about Benedictine University's MSN Program.

Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing - Distance Education

The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools. They offer online MSN Programs with post masters certificates in the following areas: Certified Nurse Midwifery (accredited by ACME), Family Nurse Practitioner, and/or Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner (both accredited by the NLNAC). FSMFN also offers an online DNP program accredited by the AACN. Coursework is web-based and clinical experience is acquired in your own community at clinics and hospitals.

Click Here for more information about the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing distance education programs.

Gonzaga University

Gonzaga University offers a Master's of Science in Nursing program online with two different concentrations: Nurse Educator or Health Systems Leadership. Gonzaga University has received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for their online MSN nursing programs. Request information below to learn more.

Programs Offered Online: MSN - Nurse Educator, MSN- Health Systems Leadership

Click Here for information about Gonzaga University's Nursing programs.

Liberty University - Department of Nursing

Liberty University's Online MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist Acute Care Track is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. This program is enrolling now. Request information today!

Program Offered: MSN - Acute Care Track Online

Click Here to request information from the Liberty University Online MSN Program

Graceland University

All nursing programs at Graceland University are CCNE accredited. Graceland University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Practicums are completed in the student's community.

Online Programs Offered: MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Nurse Educator, Post-Graduate Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner, Post-Graduate Certificate in Nurse Education

Click Here to request information from Graceland University.

Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. The MSN programs are accredited by the CCNE.

MSN Programs Offered Online: MSN in Nurse Education, MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems, MBA & MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Dual Degree Program)

Click Here to request information from Grand Canyon University.

Rush University - College of Nursing

Rush University - College of Nursing is one of the country's most well known and well respected institutions of higher education, particularly in the fields of nursing, medicine, health sciences and graduate study. Located in Chicago, IL, the College of Nursing offers online options for Baccalaureate and Master's educated Registered Nurses. Online students may be eligible to all or a portion of their clinical site requirements at a clinical site near their home. If not, there are a number of clinical sites in the Chicago area that faculty will assist in setting up for the student. The Rush University - College of Nursing received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Programs Offered Online: Advanced Generalist MSN, MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Community/Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

Click Here for information about the Rush University College of Nursing program

Kaplan University School of Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing is designed to prepare you for leadership positions and specialist roles in health care institutions, and to qualify for nursing school instructor positions. The degree is also designed to serve as a foundation for future doctoral studies Request free information from the Kaplan University School of Nursing.

Loyola University New Orleans - School of Nursing

Loyola University New Orleans offers an MSN - Health Care Systems Management and an MSN - BLEND program designed for RNs to enter the MSN program without a BSN. These programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Click Here for information about the Loyola University Online MSN Programs.

Norwich University - Nursing Programs

The e-learning MSN program can be completed in 18 - 24 months. This program is approved by the Vermont State Nursing Board and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Programs Offered: Online MSN

Click Here for information about the Norwich University Online MSN Program.

South University - School of Health Professions

South University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The South University MSN program is CCNE accredited and graduates are prepared for careers in nursing education.

Programs Offered: Online MSN

Click Here for more information about the South University Online MSN.

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

The Saint Joseph's College of Maine Online Nursing Programs are CCNE accredited.

Programs Offered: Online RN to BSN, Online MSN (Prepares leaders in Health Care Delivery Systems or Education)

Click Here to request information from Saint Joseph's College of Maine.

University of Cincinnati - College of Nursing

The University of Cincinnati - College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MSN - Nurse Midwifery online program is accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM).

Programs Offered Online: MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist (Nurse Educator), MSN - Nursing Administration, MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Adult Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner, MSN - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist, MSN - Nurse Midwifery

Click Here for information about the University of Cincinnati Online MSN programs.

Vanderbilt University - School of Nursing

Vanderbilt University is accredited by the Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Programs Offered: Health Systems Management - MSN Online

Click Here for more information about the Vanderbilt University Online MSN Program.

Western Governors University - Nursing

WGU is Regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as well as Nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council.

Programs Offered: Online MSN - Education, Online MSN - Leadership & Management

Click Here for additional information about these Online MSN programs.

Schools Based in Illinois Offering MSN programs

DePaul University - Department of Nursing

The online RN to BSN is accredited by the CCNE.

Program Offered: RN to BSN, MSN (Tracks in: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nursing Education, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Health Systems Leadership, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner)

DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60604, PH: 312-362-8000

Governors State University

The online RN to BSN is accredited by the NLNAC. The MSN programs are also NLNAC accredited.

Programs Offered: Online RN to BSN, MSN - (Clinical Specialist in Adult Health or Nurse Administrator Tracks), DNP

Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois 60466-0975, PH: 708-534-5000

McKendree University - Division of Nursing

The RN to BSN and MSN programs are CCNE accredited.

Program Offered: RN to BSN, MSN (Nurse Manager and Nurse Educator tracks)

McKendree University, 701 College Road, Lebanon, Illinois 62254, PH: 618-537-4481

Millikin University - Division of Nursing

The RN to BSN and MSN programs are NLNAC accredited.

Program Offered: RN to BSN, MSN (Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator tracks)

School of Nursing - Millikin University, 1184 West Main Street, Decatur, Illinois 62522, PH: 217-424-6348

Northern Illinois University - School of Nursing & Health Sciences

Program Offered: RN to BSN, MSN (Adult Clinical nurse specialists, Adult nurse practitioners, Family nurse practitioners, Nurse educators tracks)

School of Nursing, 1240 Normal Road, DeKalb, IL 60115, PH: 815-753-1231

Olivet Nazarene University - Department of Nursing

The RN to BSN program is CCNE accredited.

Program Offered: RN to BSN, MSN (Concentrations in: nursing education, management and leadership, and emergency preparedness disaster readiness)

Olivet Nazarene University-Department of Nursing, One University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL, 60914-2345, PH: 815-939-5340

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - School of Nursing

Program Offered: RN to BSN, MSN (Tracks in: Health Care and Nursing Administration, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator, and Family Nurse Practitioner)

SIUE School of Nursing, Alumni Hall, Room 2117 Campus Box 1066, Edwardsville, IL 62026, PH: 618-650-3956

Loyola University Chicago Niehoff - School of Nursing

Programs Offered: RN to MSN, MS in Nursing (Graduate Majors: Acute Care, Adult Health, Cardiac Health and Disease Management, Family Health, Health Systems Management, Oncology, Population-Based Infection Control and Environmental Safety (PICES)Women's Health)

Loyola University Chicago Niehoff - School of Nursing, Lake Shore Campus, 6525 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60626, PH: 773-508-3249

University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Nursing

Programs Offered: MS in Nursing (Concentrations in: Acute Care CNS, Acute Care NP, Adult NP, Adult/Geriatric NP, Geriatric CNS, Geriatric NP, Family NP, Mental Health CNS, Mental Health NP, Occupational Health/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, Occupational Health/Family NP, School/Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist, School/Family NP, Pediatric NP, Pediatric CNS, Perinatal CNS, Nurse Midwifery, Women's Health NP, Administrative Studies in Nursing, Advanced Community Health Nurse Specialist)

UIC College of Nursing, 845 South Damen Avenue MC 802, Chicago, IL 60612, PH: 312-996-7800