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.
Online MSN Programs Offered in Illinois
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.
MSN Programs in Illinois
Olivet Nazarene University
Campus: Bourbonnais
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner
Schools Offering Online MSN Programs in Illinois
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (Online), RN to BSN to MSN Online Bridge Option
Drexel University
Programs: MSN in Clinical Trials Research (Online), MSN in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice (Online), MSN in Nursing Education and Faculty Role (Online), MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management (Online)
Frontier Nursing University
Programs: ADN-MSN Bridge - Nurse-Midwifery (Online), MSN - Nurse-Midwifery (Online)
George Washington University
Programs: MSN - Adult Nurse Practitioner (Online), MSN - Clinical Research Administration (Online), MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (Online), MSN - Healthcare Quality (Online), MSN - Nursing Leadership and Management (Online)
Graceland University
Programs: Online MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner, Online MSN - Nurse Educator, Online RN-to-BSN/MSN
Grand Canyon University
Program: MBA and MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems (Bridge) (Online)
Kaplan University
Programs: MSN - Adult Gerontology Practitioner (Online), MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner (Online), MSN - Nurse Administrator (Online), MSN - Nurse Educator (Online), MSN - Nurse Informatics (Online)
Norwich University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Educator (Online)
Ohio University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Administrator (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator (Online)
South University
Programs: Accelerated RN-to-MSN (Online), Accelerated RN-to-MSN - Nurse Educator (Online), Master of Science in Nursing (Online), Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator (Online)
Stevens-Henager College
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing Administration (Online), Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
University of Cincinnati
Programs: MSN - Clinical Nurse Specialist/Nurse Educator (Online), MSN - Nurse-Midwifery (Online), MSN - Nursing Administration (Online), MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (Online)
Western Governors University
Programs: MS in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option) (Online), MS in Nursing - Leadership & Management (RN to MSN Option) (Online)
American Sentinel University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Case Management, Master of Science in Nursing - Infection Prevention and Control, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Management and Organizational Leadership, Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
California University of Pennsylvania
Program: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration and Leadership
Capella University
Programs: MSN - Diabetes Nursing, MSN - Nurse Educator, MSN - Nurse Educator Bridge, MSN - Nursing Leadership and Administration, MSN Gerontology Nursing
Chamberlain College of Nursing
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN to MSN Online Bridge Option
Drexel University Online
Programs: MSN in Clinical Trials Research, MSN in Contemporary Nursing Faculty, MSN in Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice, MSN in Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management
Georgetown University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education, Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Midwifery/ Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Herzing University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education, Master of Science in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Management
Lewis University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education
Loyola University New Orleans Online
Programs: BLEND Program (MSN Bridge), Master of Science in Nursing - Health Care Systems Management
Ohio University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Administrator, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator
Sacred Heart University
Programs: RN-BSN-MSN Clinical Nurse Leader, RN-BSN-MSN Nurse Education, RN-BSN-MSN Patient Care Administration
Saint Xavier University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Leadership, Master of Science in Nursing - Executive Leadership
South University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Accelerated RN-MSN, Master of Science in Nursing - Accelerated RN-MSN - Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing - Accelerated RN-MSN - Nurse Educator, Master of Science in Nursing - Adult Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Cincinnati
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Specialist and Nurse Educator, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Midwifery, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Womens Health Nurse Practitioner
University of Colorado Denver
Program: Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems
University of Phoenix
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing / Health Administration, Master of Science in Nursing / Health Care Education, Master of Science in Nursing / Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing / Master of Business Administration - Health Care Management
While widely available, not all programs are available in all locations or
in both online and on-campus formats. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative.
University of San Francisco
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing - Associate's Track, Master of Science in Nursing - Bachelor's Track
Walden University
Programs: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - Education, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - General, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) BSN Track - Leadership and Management, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - Informatics, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - Education, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - General, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) RN Track - Leadership and Management
Western Governors University
Programs: M.S. in Nursing - Education (RN to MSN Option), M.S. in Nursing - Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
Schools Based in Illinois Offering MSN programs
Rush University - College of Nursing
Nursing students may be eligible to complete 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 is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Programs Offered Online: MSN - (Tracks: Acute Care NP, Acute/Chronic Care Pediatric NP, Adult NP, Adult/Gerontological NP, Anesthesia, Family NP, Gerontological NP, Neonatal NP, Pediatric NP, Psychiatric NP), Post-Master's certificates are offered for all ten NP tracks, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
- Click Here to request information about Rush University College of Nursing.
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
