Online MSN in Forensic Nursing: Comparing Top Programs
Curious about online MSN programs in forensic nursing? This guide walks you through critical factors, such as top schools, tuition & fees, and what to expect from coursework. You’ll also find answers to questions you didn’t even know to ask, as well as tips on balancing school with work. Take your next steps with EduMed.
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Inside 3 Popular Forensic Nursing MSNs (Online)
If you’ve ever thought about using your nursing skills to help victims of crime or assist in investigations, forensic nursing might be right up your alley. The good news is, you don’t have to quit your job to complete the required coursework.
While most programs require some hands-on training, the majority of coursework is typically completed online. This structure lets students:
- Continue working while earning their degree
- Access lectures and assignments on flexible schedules
- Reduce the need for frequent campus visits
- Build advanced nursing skills without relocating
- Prepare for specialized roles in forensic healthcare
Through a combination of online instruction and limited clinical or practicum experiences, students gain the skills they need to work in hospitals, legal agencies, and community organizations that serve victims of violence.
Below, get details on three of today’s most popular online MSNs in forensic nursing, and see if one of these programs is right for you.
Fitchburg State University
If you’re a nurse who’s fascinated by both healthcare and the legal system, Fitchburg State’s MSN in forensic nursing might be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s fully online, so you can keep working while you study. There’s no need to rearrange your life.
This graduate program is for registered nurses who want to obtain their Master of Science Degree in Nursing for work in the forensic nursing field. Fitchburg offers clinical opportunities that put you in actual forensic settings.
The school is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which means you’re getting a quality education that meets national standards. By the time you finish, you’ll be ready for certification exams and well-equipped for roles like legal nurse consultant or sexual assault nurse examiner.
Duration: 3 years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $17,000
Admissions Requirements:
- Current RN license
- Graduation from an accredited baccalaureate nursing program
- Transcripts
- Written essay
- Background check or a Criminal Offense Recore Investigation
- Three letters of recommendation
- Resume
Core Curriculum:
- Nursing theory, clinical concepts
- Contexts and roles for advanced practice
- Pathopharmacology and epigenetics in forensic nursing
- Research, scientific foundations
- Capstone, practicum
- Scientific foundations
- Caring for victims
- Caring for perpetrators
- Criminal law
DeSales University
DeSales University offers an MSN in Forensic Nursing with certification in investigate forensics. This specialized master’s program combines advanced nursing education with investigative forensics training, preparing graduates for careers at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system.
The program is designed for working professionals, offering the flexibility of online learning from home. Students can complete their MSN on a full- or part-time schedule while gaining valuable forensic investigation skills that are applicable across healthcare and legal organizations.
You can complete courses online or in a hybrid format. Advanced coursework and clinicals are offered in a hybrid format. Most hybrid courses meet one night per week. Graduates can apply for the Advanced Forensic Nurse Certification.
Duration: 3 years (part-time study), 2 years (full-time study)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $49,725
Admissions Requirements:
- BSN from an ACEN or CCNE accredited school with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Active RN license in Pennsylvania (New Jersey license required before clinicals)
- 12 months of full-time nursing experience in the last three years
- One year of RN experience in the past two years
Core Curriculum:
- Forensic Science and the Courtroom
- Forensic Psychology
- Advanced Crime Scene Investigation
- Behavioral Criminology
- Medicolegal Investigation
- Forensic Anthropology
- Practicums, Labs, Capstone
Monmouth University
Monmouth University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a focus on forensic nursing. The program is accredited by the CCNE, ensuring it meets high educational standards.
Students engage in clinical practicums, gaining hands-on experience in forensic settings under the guidance of experienced faculty. The curriculum includes courses like Advanced Health Assessment for Forensic Nurses, preparing graduates for roles in forensic nursing.
Classes are scheduled in the evenings in a hybrid format, combining on-campus and online learning to accommodate working professionals.
Duration: 5 years (part-time study), 2 years (full-time study)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $40,896
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited program with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- New Jersey RN license and one year of RN work experience
- Personal statement outlining professional goals
- Two letters of recommendation, resume
- College-level course in health assessment (or an approved continuing education course)
- $1 million liability and malpractice policy
Core Curriculum:
- Nursing research
- Data management
- Education and motivation of nursing clients
- Pathophysiology and histology
- Pharmacology
- Diagnosis and treatment of psychopathology
- Health assessment for forensic nurses
- Forensic pathology
- Interpersonal violence
- Practicum, seminar
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Student FAQs About Online MSNs in Forensic Nursing
Wondering about the ins and outs of earning an online master’s degree in forensic nursing? You’re not alone. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most common questions below.
Can I pursue an online forensic nursing master’s degree if I have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree?
It depends. Some schools will allow you to earn a master’s in forensic nursing, even with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree—but there’s a catch. Most programs require you to be a licensed RN first.
If you’re already an RN but don’t have a BSN, don’t worry. Some schools offer RN to MSN Bridge Programs, which help you complete the necessary nursing coursework before diving into forensic nursing.
These bridge programs vary, so check each school’s requirements. Also, make sure the program is accredited, which is critical for licensing and future employment.
How do online forensic nursing programs handle the clinical practicum requirements?
Many schools allow students to arrange their own clinical placements, which can limit travel time and allow for flexible scheduling.
These clinical experiences allow you to interact with victims, collect evidence, and apply forensic nursing skills in real practice. The required hours vary, but some online forensic nursing programs expect around 500.
Expert Insight
If you’re required to arrange your own clinical placements, try reaching out to medical examiner or coroner offices, correctional facilities, and hospital emergency departments – all places where forensic nurses are typically employed or consulted. Inquire about what the role will entail as you’ll need to make sure it fulfills the clinical learning outcomes of the program.
Are there specific technological requirements for participating in an online forensic nursing program?
Yes, a reliable computer and high-speed internet are essential since most courses include video lectures, virtual discussions, and interactive assignments. Some programs also require specific software for simulations, so it’s a good idea to check the tech requirements before enrolling.
Basic computer skills will make your life easier, especially when navigating online platforms and submitting assignments. Having a quiet, dedicated workspace can also help you stay focused.
What support services are available to online forensic nursing students?
Most online courses have virtual libraries, writing labs, and academic advisers to ensure that you’re staying on track. Plus, you’ll usually receive some form of advice regarding career paths and placement.
Additionally, as an online student, you may run into technical glitches, but most schools offer specialized IT support. You’re also able to connect with fellow classmates and teachers through discussion forums and webinars, which makes networking possible.
How do I pay for school?
For those who qualify, financial aid can be a viable option to pay for school. However, MSN Specific Scholarships can be a godsend. Unlike loans and many other forms of financial aid, you don’t need to pay back scholarships.
Additionally, some MSN programs are designed with affordability in mind, so you may want to start your search with these schools.
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Forensic Nursing?
Forensic nursing combines healthcare expertise with criminal justice knowledge, creating a specialized field that bridges medical care and the legal system. These professionals go beyond traditional nursing roles by serving as critical links between healthcare and law enforcement, particularly in cases involving violence, trauma, and abuse.
Unlike standard nurses who focus primarily on patient treatment, forensic nurses must balance compassionate care with evidence collection and preservation as their work frequently involves cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.
The role demands exceptional skills beyond typical nursing qualifications. Forensic nurses must master evidence collection techniques, understand chain of custody procedures, and develop expertise in legal documentation.
Forensic nurse responsibilities:
- Collaborate extensively with legal professionals
- Testify in court as expert witnesses
- Provide detailed documentation crucial for criminal investigations
- Maintain professional objectivity while showing appropriate empathy
Career specializations of a forensic nurse:
- Death investigation with medical examiners
- Sexual assault examination
- Child abuse assessment
Many forensic nurses also advance into leadership positions where they influence policy and improve community response systems, while others contribute to research advancing the field.
Expert Insight
You can also be a forensic nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. In this role, you’ll perform assessments of victims of violence and other traumas, such as natural disasters. You’ll also likely be the first person at the scene of a community disaster. But you’ll need an MSN if you want to advance into leadership positions, or fill in as a medical examiner in some states (a role that’s typically reserved for a physician).
