Online RN to MSN Programs in Georgia: Comparing Top Schools
Completing an RN to MSN program in Georgia can lead to careers in nursing leadership, education, and advanced practice. This guide breaks down program costs, admission requirements, and curriculum, while answering key questions about financial aid, graduation outcomes, and career prospects. You’ll also find insights into salary potential and job outlook for MSN graduates across the state.
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Inside Popular Georgia Programs
Registered nursing offers strong pay and job stability in Georgia, and advancing to roles such as nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, or clinical nurse specialist can take your career even further. RN to MSN bridge programs are designed to help working nurses earn a Master of Science in Nursing efficiently while balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
As you compare programs, keep the following in mind:
- Degree preparation – RN to MSN programs prepare you for advanced practice and leadership roles through graduate-level nursing education.
- Flexible learning formats – Most programs use hybrid models with online coursework and required in-person or clinical training, while some are fully online.
- Program structure and cost – Timelines, admissions standards, and tuition vary by school and can impact your long-term plans.
This guide highlights three leading RN to MSN bridge programs in Georgia and breaks down their curriculum, requirements, schedules, and pricing to help you make an informed choice.
Thomas University
Thomas University offers a 132-credit RN to MSN bridge program that takes place entirely online and features education and nursing administration tracks. Although there are no practicums, students still have some in-person requirements, including an internship.
Coursework emphasizes:
- Empowered decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Care skills
- Research skills
- Leadership theories and practices
To further enhance professional prospects after graduation, there’s also the option to join the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Duration: Two to three years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $62,700
Admissions Requirements:
- A valid RN license
- A cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Official transcripts from all prior colleges
- A resume and statement of purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
Core Curriculum:
- Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- Microbiology
- Professional Nursing Praxis
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Community/Public Health Nursing
- Evidence-based Practice in Nursing
- Information Technology in Nursing Administration and Education
- Advanced Theoretical Foundations
- Research Design and Methodologies
- Policy, Law and Ethics in Nursing
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, Pathophysiology and Health Assessment
- Global Perspectives on Population-Based Health
- Leadership & Financial Management Strategies
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Georgia State University
The RN to MS bridge program at this Atlanta-based university develops NP students’ leadership skills in healthcare teams and facilitates their coordination of patient care. Most classes are offered online, but there are also in-person clinical requirements which the university can help students arrange.
Nurse practitioner specialties offered:
- Adult-Gerontology
- Primary Care
- Family Health
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatric-Mental Health
While a BSN is not required, nurses with an ADN must complete additional undergraduate coursework as prerequisites to master’s coursework and demonstrate outstanding practice experience and professional involvement. Students entering with a BSN complete 48 credits, while those without complete 54 credits.
Duration: Two to four years (full vs. part-time)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $33,456 to $37,638
Admissions Requirements:
- A BSN or an ADN with commensurate experience
- Registered as a professional nurse in Georgia
- One to two years of clinical practice as an RN
- Completion of all undergraduate prerequisites
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
- Previous college transcripts
- A statement of purpose and writing sample
- Two letters of recommendation
- A professional resume
- One to two years of clinical practice in the program specialty of choice (preferred)
Curriculum:
- Advanced Pathophysiological Concepts Across the Lifespan I & II
- Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
- Pharmacology Across the Lifespan for the Advanced Practice
- The Culture of Healthcare
- Theoretical Foundations and Research Methods for Advanced Practice Nursing
- Concentration-specific courses
South University
South University offers a series of fully online RN to MSN bridge programs with specialized tracks for nurse practitioners, nurse administrators, nurse educators, and nurse informaticists.
Which tract you choose will affect program length, but the core curriculum — which remains the same between specializations — emphasizes community-based care with clinical judgment, critical thinking, and communication skills. Some classes go into care for specific healthcare communities. Financial aid opportunities are available.
Duration: Two to three years
Mode: Online
Cost: $42,160 to $56,020 (depending on specialty)
Admissions Requirements:
- An ADN or a nursing diploma and a bachelor’s degree
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended within 5 weeks of the class start date
- A valid and unencumbered license as a registered nurse
Curriculum:
- Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse
- Advanced Theoretical Perspectives for Nursing
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Health Policy and Health Promotion
- Nursing Research Methods
- Specialty courses
Georgia RN to MSN Student FAQs
What can you do with an MSN in Georgia?
In Georgia, an MSN usually leads to a career as a nurse manager, nurse administrator, or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Advance practice RNs who can practice with an MSN include nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
An MSN degree is also a stepping stone to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), which is required if you want to become a nurse anesthetist—another type of APRN.
Can I get financial aid in Georgia to help pay for my RN to MSN program?
Yes, financial aid is available to online RN to MSN students in Georgia, and may include scholarships, grants, student loans, and other forms of financial aid. Scholarships and grants can be funded by the school itself, the federal government, or private entities like corporations and nonprofit organizations.
For example, the government offers a Nurse Corps Scholarship through the Health Resources and Service Administration.
Expert Insight
Many employers offer tuition assistance programs to nurses returning to school, especially if you agree to work for them in your new role after graduation. For example, if you already work as an RN in a mental health clinic and are enrolled in an RN to MSN program as a psychiatric NP student, the clinic may offer to pay for part of your schooling if you commit to working for them as an NP once you’re finished. Check with your employer for details.
What are the hallmarks of a quality RN to MSN program in Georgia?
Quality RN to MSN programs are approved by the Georgia Board of Nursing and meet accreditation standards by professional organizations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation ensures a program meets high educational and professional standards. An RN to MSN program may also be considered “of quality” if a large percentage of its graduates pass the state’s APRN exams.
Will I also earn a bachelor’s degree at the same time I’m in an MSN program?
It’s possible, but it depends on the program. Some universities offer ADN nurses bachelor’s degree-level coursework as a part of an RN to MSN program, but they do not award you a BSN in addition to the master’s degree you will earn upon graduation. Other schools will award you both degrees.
What do I need to do in Georgia to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse after I earn my master’s degree?
After graduating with your MSN, you must submit an application for an APRN certificate in the specialty you chose in your graduate program, and pay the required fee. You will be required to take and pass an APRN certification exam before receiving an advanced license to practice in Georgia.
For example, NP students can take the nurse practitioner certification exam offered by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.
Expert Insight
The process for becoming an advanced practice registered nurse is similar to the journey to becoming an RN. You complete your nursing program, apply for licensure, pay fees, pass an exam, and start working. But unlike registered nurses, APRNs have to pick a specialty in school and must apply for both an APRN license (i.e., nurse practitioner) and a certificate in their specialty (i.e., adult-gerontology NP).
RN vs. MSN: Georgia Salary Impact
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Georgia | $63,450 | $83,620 | $124,330 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Georgia | $91,770 | $119,490 | $165,140 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | Georgia | 81,800 | 94,310 | 12,510 | 15.30% | 5,990 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Georgia | 7,900 | 12,500 | 4,600 | 58.20% | 910 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
