Nursing — Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing

Earn your MSN in as few as 24 months

Designed to be flexible for working nurses, this efficient degree plan features undergraduate coursework provided by the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) and graduate coursework from the University of Southern Maine (USM). Select a concentration in Nursing Administration & Leadership or in Nursing Education.

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E-tuition & fees

Costs include tuition & fees. All students receive our e-tuition rate. See cost details

Credit hours

60 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours.

Financial aid

Over 150 graduate assistantships available with stipend & tuition assistance, plus scholarship, fellowship & research opportunities. Explore aid

Admissions

6 entry terms per year. No GRE required. View application process & deadlines

Program highlights

Complete your undergraduate coursework at the University of Maine at Fort Kent and earn your master’s degree online with the University of Southern Maine.
Save time and money — and take fewer courses than if you were to earn your BSN and master’s separately.
Balance your schedule while completing your master’s degree: Complete USM graduate coursework from wherever you are with our fully online program.
Tailor the MSN degree to your professional goals: Choose a concentration in Nursing Administration and Leadership or in Nursing Education.
Apply your knowledge beyond the classroom through a hands-on practicum experience.
Study in a program that is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Expected career outcomes

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Advance your nursing career

Our program will prepare you for a leadership role in healthcare administration or to serve as a nurse educator.

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Admission information: Nursing — Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Online

Our RN to MS — Nursing Administration and Leadership and RN to MS — Nursing Education programs are offered in partnership with the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK).

Application deadlines & program start dates

Choose from 6 start dates per year.

Session	Application deadline	Program start date
Spring 2026 term: Session 1	January 2, 2026	January 20, 2026
Spring 2026 term: Session 2	March 4, 2026	March 23, 2026
Summer 2026 term: Session 1	April 29, 2026	May 18, 2026
Summer 2026 term: Session 2	June 17, 2026	July 6, 2026
Fall 2026 term: Session 1	August 12, 2026	August 31, 2026
Fall 2026 term: Session 2	October 7, 2026	October 26, 2026

Each student’s application for admission will be evaluated based on a composite of the following recommended standards:

Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B average.
RN licensure — unencumbered and current licensure in the state in which practicum will be completed.
Undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of C or better.
Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may submit GRE or MAT scores to be considered.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

Application: Online application
Application fee:
- In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
- International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, we require an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies
  - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
  - Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

Essay/Personal Statement addressing the following:
- Demonstrate your understanding of the nurse administrator/educator role and reasons for becoming a nurse leader.
- Explain your professional goals that will be supported by the Master of Science in Nursing degree.
- Outline the experiences, capacity, and abilities brought to a master’s program.
- Document your reasons for choosing the University of Southern Maine for this program.
Evidence (photocopy or PDF) of an unencumbered registered nurse license.

What are the international student application instructions?

What are the English proficiency test score requirements?

Where do I send my application materials?

Learn more about our online RN to MSN program

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Dedicated faculty

Our faculty are active in research and policy issues at the state and national level, are board members of state and national nursing associations, and frequently publish in leading nursing journals.

Meet our faculty

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Graduate student support

Our Office of Graduate Studies connects you with opportunities for professional development, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. They also foster our graduate student community through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

Browse resources

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Scholarship opportunities

Scholarships offer financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. We encourage students in graduate degree programs to apply for scholarship opportunities.

Explore scholarships

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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Connect with us

Our monthly Graduate Information Sessions are an excellent way to learn more about the benefits of our program, as well as our admissions and financial processes.

Next steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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Select a program concentration from the Area of Academic Interest field below.