Home Online Schools Nursing Programs (RN) RN to MSN Bridge Texas

Why Trust EduMed?

250+ expert nursing & allied health contributors

500+ college & university connections

2,000+ users matched to programs monthly

Meet Our Team Editorial Values

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

A woman with long, ombré hair and a floral dress smiling warmly, surrounded by shelves filled with colorful books.
Author: Angela Myers, BA
A woman with long, ombré hair and a floral dress smiling warmly, surrounded by shelves filled with colorful books.
Angela Myers, BA Arrow up right
Staff Writer
Angela Myers is a healthcare and higher education writer with bylines on Forbes, AARP, Well+Good, and NextAvenue. Angela has authored dozens of feature articles focusing on higher education in nursing and allied health. She holds a bachelor's degree in professional writing and rhetoric from Elon University.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareEditorialHealthcare Education
HealthcareEditorialHealthcare Education
Editor: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Michael Hoffman, MA, JD Arrow up right
Freelance Writer, Researcher, & Journalist
Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing

Keep Learning

Online Nursing Schools in Texas: Inside Top Programs

Find the right online nursing program in...

Online LVN to BSN Programs in Texas: Reviewing Top Schools

Find the best online LVN to BSN programs in...

Online RN to MSN Programs in Texas: Comparing Top Schools

If you’re a Texas RN without a bachelor’s degree, why not reach toward a master’s instead? This guide introduces the top online RN to MSN programs in Texas, with information on specializations, costs, admissions requirements, online delivery formats, and much more. Find the program that’s right for you.

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

A woman with long, ombré hair and a floral dress smiling warmly, surrounded by shelves filled with colorful books.
Author: Angela Myers, BA
A woman with long, ombré hair and a floral dress smiling warmly, surrounded by shelves filled with colorful books.
Angela Myers, BA Arrow up right
Staff Writer
Angela Myers is a healthcare and higher education writer with bylines on Forbes, AARP, Well+Good, and NextAvenue. Angela has authored dozens of feature articles focusing on higher education in nursing and allied health. She holds a bachelor's degree in professional writing and rhetoric from Elon University.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareEditorialHealthcare Education
HealthcareEditorialHealthcare Education
Editor: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD
A smiling bald man with a beard, wearing a black t-shirt and glasses perched on his head, standing in front of a brick wall.
Michael Hoffman, MA, JD Arrow up right
Freelance Writer, Researcher, & Journalist
Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.
Areas of Expertise
Check HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing
HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing

Jump To Section

FIND THE PROGRAM FOR YOU

  1. Take our quiz
  2. Match with schools
  3. Connect with favorites

Take our 4-step quiz to match with top schools in your field. Review options and connect with your favorites.

I want my
In

Understanding Online RN to MSN Programs in Texas

There are many benefits to earning an MSN. First and foremost, having a nursing master’s opens doors to nursing leadership and advanced specialized clinical practice roles. And with these roles come higher salaries and more job opportunities.

It’s important to understand that “online” means different things for different programs. That’s why it’s critical to pay close attention to exactly how programs deliver their online content. The most important elements to look for are:

  • Fully- vs. partially-online: Programs in non-clinical specialties may be presented entirely online, but might include some in-person practicum components. All clinically-focused programs include clinical practice experiences that require in-person attendance at a healthcare facility.
  • Synchronous vs. asynchronous: Online content may be delivered synchronously (students log on and participate in live-streamed sessions at specifically-scheduled times) or asynchronously (students can access and complete course requirements at any time.)

To help you better understand how programs incorporate these elements, here are profiles of three current online RN to MSN programs in Texas. We’ve also included information on specialty options, curriculum content, admission requirements, and program costs and lengths.

University of Texas at Tyler

The Online RN to MSN Bridge program at the University of Texas in Tyler is designed with working nurses in mind, allowing students to prepare for advanced careers healthcare organizations in clinical leadership, education, and administration while maintaining their current jobs.

Students choose one of three specialty tracks:

  • Administration
  • Education
  • Informatics, Quality and Safety

All didactic coursework is delivered and completed 100% online. Hands-on practicum experiences are attended in-person at local community healthcare and education facilities.

The program additionally features one of the most affordable tuition costs found among comparable online RN to MSN programs in Texas and throughout the U.S.

Both full-time and part-time study options are available. A BSN degree is not awarded as part of this bridge program.

Duration: 2 1/2 to 3 years (full-time); 3 to 4 years (part-time). Programs lengths also vary depending on chosen specialty track.

Mode: Hybrid (Online didactic coursework with in-person practicum components)

Cost: $26,000 (total tuition)

Admissions Requirements:

  • ADN or nursing diploma
  • Active, unencumbered RN license
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework
  • Current resume or CV
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Admissions essay or statement of purpose
  • Criminal background check and drug screening
  • CPR certification

Curriculum:

RN Courses

  • Pathophsyiology
  • Health Assessment for Registered Nurses
  • Professional Development for the Registered Nurse
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making
  • Wellness and Health Promotion
  • Care Coordination for the Registered Nurse
  • Community and Population Focused Nursing
  • Nursing Leadership and Management

MSN Administration Track

  • Translational Science I & II
  • Health Policy and Population Health
  • Health Care Informatics
  • Organizational and Systems Leadership
  • Leadership in Healthcare
  • Legal, Regulatory, and Financial Management
  • Delivery of Care
  • Capstone Project

MSN Education Track

  • Translational Science I & II
  • Health Policy and Population Health
  • Health Care Informatics
  • Organizational and Systems Leadership
  • Nursing Education Curriculum
  • Evaluation in Nursing Education
  • Nursing Education Roles/Strategies
  • Integrated Adv Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology
  • Capstone Project

MSN Informatics, Quality and Safety Track

  • Translational Science I & II
  • Health Policy and Population Health
  • Health Care Informatics
  • Organizational and Systems Leadership
  • Healthcare Informatics 21st Century
  • Informatics Quality, Safety
  • Data Analysis Healthcare Technology
  • Informatics Capstone

FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:

University of Texas at Arlington

The University of Texas at Arlington offers several online RN to MSN specialty options, including this RN to MSN – Family Nurse Practitioner Online program.

The FNP track prepares graduates to work within healthcare systems and as independent providers managing the primary healthcare needs of individual patients and their families across the entire life span.

The curriculum combines fully-online coursework with in-person clinicals attended at program-approved practice sites in the student’s local area.

Students first complete RN to BSN bridge coursework and are awarded a BSN degree, then enter the accelerated MSN course of study. The entire program can be completed in as few as 42 months.

Other online RN to MSN specialty tracks offered at UTA include:

  • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing

Duration: As few as 42 months. Both full-time and part-time options are available.

Mode: Hybrid (Online didactic coursework with in-person clinicals)

Cost: $38,308 (tuition only)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Current associate nursing degree or diploma
  • 3.0 GPA or higher on previous coursework
  • Current RN license

Curriculum:

RN to BSN Courses

  • Holistic Health Assessment Across the Lifespan
  • Holistic Care of Older Adults
  • RN to BSN Promoting Healthy Lifestyles
  • Role Transition to Professional Nursing
  • Health Policy and Legal Aspects of Professional Nursing
  • Nursing Research
  • Nursing Leadership & Management
  • Care of Vulnerable Populations Across the Lifespan
  • Capstone Course

Family Nurse Practitioner Courses

  • Exploration of Science and Theories for Nursing
  • Advanced Pathophysiology (NURSG)
  • Advanced Pharmacology (NURSG)
  • Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning
  • Adult-Gerontology Assessment Lab
  • Pediatric Assessment Lab
  • Role of the Nurse in Advanced Practice
  • Principles of Research in Nursing
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • FNP I, II & III
  • Clinical Practice I & II
  • Clinical Practice II
  • Family NP Advanced Practicum

Lamar University

Students earn both their BSN and MSN degrees in Lamar University’s Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing Online program. Students choose one of two tracks:

  • MSN in Administration
  • MSN in Education

Both tracks save students time and money be requiring nine fewer credit hours when compared to completing separate RN to BSN and MSN programs.

All didactic coursework is presented 100% online. However, students in either track must complete in-person practicum experiences in an appropriate healthcare or education setting.

Career options for graduates include:

  • Certified Nurse Educator
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Clinical Research Nurse
  • Executive Nurse Leader
  • Public Health Nurse

Duration: As few as 36 months full-time. Part-time options available.

Mode: Hybrid (Fully-online coursework with in-person practicum requirements)

Cost: $27,320 (total tuition and university fees)

Admissions Requirements:

  • Current associate nursing degree or diploma
  • Official transcripts from all high schools, colleges, and universities attended
  • 3.0 GPA or higher on previous coursework
  • Current RN license

Curriculum:

BSN Completion Courses

  • Comprehensive Holistic Health Assessment
  • Nursing Practice: Care of Communities
  • Nursing Practice: Compromised Multiple Health States
  • Nursing Practice: Leadership and Management in the Healthcare System

MSN Core Courses

  • Theoretical Foundations
  • Nursing Research
  • Advanced Nursing Issues & Health Policy
  • Evidence-Based Project I & II

MSN Administration Track

  • Population Health for Advanced Nursing Roles
  • Business Principles for Nurse Leaders
  • Nurse Leader Practicum I & II
  • Role Development for Nurse Administrators
  • Strategic Plan in Healthcare Delivery
  • Health Information Systems for Nurse Leaders
  • Quality Resource Management for Nurse Leaders

MSN Education Track

  • Education Practicum I & II
  • Advanced Health Assessment
  • Advanced Pathophysiology
  • Role Development and Learning/Teaching Theories
  • Curriculum Design
  • Measurement & Evaluation

FAQs About Texas RN to MSN Online Programs

The profiles above provide a birds-eye view of how RN to MSN programs operate, but they’ve likely raised a number of questions as well. To help fill in some important details, here are the answers to five questions frequently asked by prospective Texas RN to MSN students.

What can I do with an MSN in Texas?

For a registered nurse, earning an MSN degree is all about career advancement into higher-paying leadership positions in nursing administration and management and specialized clinical practice. Here’s a look at some of the most popular career options in Texas you can pursue with your MSN:

Nurse Practitioner

  • Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
  • Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP)
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
  • Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Clinical Nurse Specialist

  • Acute Care
  • Adult-Gerontology
  • Family Health
  • Oncology
  • Psychiatry

Non-clinical roles

Will I earn my bachelor’s degree during my RN to MSN program?

That depends on the particular program you choose.

Examples of Texas schools with programs that award both BSN and MSN degrees include Houston Christian University and Texas A&M International University, as well as the University of Texas at Arlington and Lamar University (both profiled above).

Examples of Texas online RN to MSN programs that do not award a BSN include those at the University of Texas at Tyler (profiled above) and Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.

What will I learn in an RN to MSN program in Texas?

There are three basic components to RN to MSN curriculums that together provide students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the specialized area of practice chosen:

  • Undergraduate-level coursework: Consisting of courses in advanced nursing topics that normally make up the curriculum content of BSN programs above that covered by nursing diploma and ADN programs. Examples of common topics include nursing research and evidence-based practice, healthcare policy and advocacy, and professional role development.
  • MSN core coursework: Foundational graduate-level courses covering topics important to all MSN students regardless of chosen specialty. Typical topics covered include advanced health assessment, healthcare systems and leadership, and informatics in healthcare.
  • MSN specialty coursework: Courses covering the topics that prepare you for practice in your chosen specialty (FNP, Family Health CNS, Nursing Education, etc.).

How much do RN to MSN programs in Texas cost?

The total costs for online RN to MSN programs in Texas run from just under $20,000 to $40,000 or more. These figures place Texas near the top of the list of states with the most affordable RN to MSN online programs in the nation.

There are a number of factors impacting program costs, including:

  • Specialty: Programs in clinically-focused specialties tend cost more due to longer program lengths and the inclusion of substantial clinical practice requirements.
  • Public vs. private school: Private colleges almost always charge higher tuition rates than public colleges.
  • Student’s state residency: It’s common for public colleges and universities in Texas to charge higher tuition rates to non-Texas residents. There are, however, some online RN to MSN programs in the state that charge the same low in-state rate to all students, regardless of residence.

Keep in mind that, on top of tuition, your total program price tag will include the costs of program fees, books and materials, etc. And don’t forget to factor in any financial aid resources you obtain that lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Can I get my RN to MSN online in Texas?

Absolutely. There are several quality, accredited online program options available from some of the best colleges and universities in the state. The key is finding the one that best suits your academic needs, career goals, and study preferences — which hopefully this guide helps you do.

If you’ve read this far, you’ve gained a solid understanding of how online RN to MSN programs in Texas operate. Now it’s time to put together your list of potential program choices. And you can start by reviewing the following program rankings.

Top Online RN to MSN Bridge Programs in Texas

At EduMed, we’ve evaluated data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the U.S. Department of Education, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and universities themselves for our rankings of online RN to MSN programs in Texas, which you’ll find below.

Program elements considered include, among others:

  • Accreditation
  • Availability of academic and career support services
  • Number of online program options
  • Program costs and financial aid access
  • Student to faculty ratio

For more on our selection methodologies, click the “About the Ranking” button.

# School Name Online Enrollment Tuition
1
1
16% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
2
2
10% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
3
3
11% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
4
4
17% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
5
5

Lamar University

Beaumont, TX
10% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
6
6
2% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
7
7
2% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
8
8
13% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
9
9
16% Online Enrollment
$$$ Tuition
10
10
8% Online Enrollment
$ Tuition
Occupation ↕ Area ↕ 10th Percentile ↕ Median ↕ 90th Percentile ↕
Registered Nurses Texas $64,580 $85,110 $115,740
Nurse Practitioners Texas $98,160 $126,580 $165,340

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 Texas 233,850 267,980 34,130 14.60% 16,900
Nurse Practitioners Texas 19,060 30,490 11,430 60.00% 2,240

Source: Projections Central

Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.

Keep Learning

Online Nursing Schools in Texas: Inside Top Programs

Find the right online nursing program in...

Online LVN to BSN Programs in Texas: Reviewing Top Schools

Find the best online LVN to BSN programs in...

Angela Myers, BA AUTHOR

Angela Myers is a healthcare and higher education writer with bylines on Forbes, AARP, Well+Good, and NextAvenue. Angela has authored dozens of feature articles focusing on higher education in nursing and allied health. She holds a bachelor's degree in professional writing and rhetoric from Elon University.

Read More About Angela Myers

Michael Hoffman, MA, JD EDITOR

Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.

Read More About Michael Hoffman
Logo of EDUMED, featuring a stylized graduation cap forming the letter 'M' in a monochromatic orange, with the rest of the letters in purple on a green background.
Privacy Settings

When you visit the EduMed website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. This information may pertain to you, your preferences, or your device and is primarily used to ensure the site functions as expected and to deliver a more personalized experience. You can choose to disable certain types of cookies; however, this may affect your experience on the site and limit the services we can provide. Click on the different category headings to learn more and customize your settings. Please note that you cannot opt out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies, as these are essential for the proper functioning of the website (e.g., displaying the cookie banner, remembering your preferences, logging into your account, redirecting upon logout, etc.).