Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for BSN Holders

Graduate

Students working in the nursing simulation lab

Elevate your nursing practice

Advance your nursing career with the Master of Science in Nursing at Simmons University. In two years, you can build on your experience as a Registered Nurse (RN) and prepare for advanced practice roles as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, or in Nursing Leadership.

Through a rigorous, hands-on curriculum, you will develop the skills to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care in high-demand areas like primary care. You’ll develop leadership skills to advocate for patients and communities, run interprofessional teams, and contribute to healthcare research. 

Simmons graduates consistently perform well above the national average on certification exams, reflecting the strength of your preparation.

Not sure which nursing program is right for you? Compare your options and find the best fit for your goals.

Simmons MSN program tracks

Simmons University’s Master of Science in Nursing program offers three areas of specialization. 

The FNP program includes 47 credits of coursework in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment, along with 756 hours of hands-on clinical experience.

In this program, you will:

  • Build confidence in diagnosing, treating, and managing primary care through case studies and a hands-on research project.
  • Learn with strong support from expert faculty, an academic advisor, a student success specialist, and a clinical placement team. 
  • Engage in small classes, group projects, and interactive learning
  • Connect beyond the classroom through student organizations, networking events, and an active alumnae/i network.
  • Study in a program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The 34-credit MSN in Nursing Leadership teaches you how to analyze organizational structures, manage budgets, and lead evidence-based quality improvements.

In this program, you will:

  • Build strategic and operational insight: Take courses in nursing leadership theory, strategic planning, healthcare economics and finance, and quality improvement in healthcare. 
  • Apply leadership expertise: Help your organization address a range of healthcare issues through evidence-based practice and research.
  • Expand your career opportunities: Follow your unique career path in the nursing profession by pursuing roles such as nurse manager or chief nursing officer.

The online PMHNP program includes 756 hours of clinical experience and helps you build advanced skills in psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for both individuals and groups. The 49-credit curriculum covers advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and global health advocacy, with a focus on culturally appropriate care.

PMHNP Program Highlights

  • Engaging academics: You’ll take part in live online classes, work on group projects, and join interactive learning experiences.
  • Dedicated support: Expert faculty will guide you, and you’ll have help from an academic advisor, a student success specialist, and a clinical placement team.
  • Flexible program structure: You can choose to complete this program full-time in 6 terms or part-time in 8 terms.
  • Certification Preparation: After you graduate, you’ll be eligible to take the ANCC or AANP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner board certification exam.
  • Quality Accreditation: The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits this coeducational Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. It’s designed for registered nurses (RNs) with a bachelor’s degree who want to become psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).

After finishing the program, you can work in places like community mental health centers, hospitals, or private practice.

Why study nursing at Simmons?

For over 100 years, the Simmons School of Nursing has trained caring and skilled nurses who make a real difference in healthcare. In this MSN program, you will:

  • Learn from experts, including educators, clinicians, and researchers, who are invested in your success.
  • Gain clinical experience. Simmons partners with 17,000+ affiliated post-licensure clinical placement sites in 48 states — including 850 clinical sites in Boston’s renowned Longwood Medical Area. 
  • Benefit from a supportive academic environment designed to foster your professional growth and prepare you for advanced nursing practice.

Outside of class, the Simmons community offers student organizations, networking events, and a strong alumnae/i network that connects you with people around the world.

What can you do with a master’s degree in nursing?

Upon graduation from Simmons’ MSN program, you can pursue roles consistent with your specialty track. FNPs provide primary care in outpatient community settings or private practice. PMHNPs provide access to mental health care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Our Nurse Leaders will be prepared to lead health care systems and organizations. You may also choose to continue your education through Simmons’ Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

MSN Course Requirements

Full-Time Course Sequence

Term 1

CHSO404 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURP 402 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse 1
NURP570 Health Promotion Global Perspective 2
NURP660 Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics 2

Term 2

NURP424 Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan 3
NURP530 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 3
NURP670 Health Policy 3
Campus-based students will take IPE 450 in place of NURP 670.

Term 3

NURP505 Family Theory: Health & Illness 2
NURP534 Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course 1
NURP561 FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I 2
NURP562 FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care 2
NURP563 FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care 2

Term 4

NURP410 Research Methods 3
NURP564 FNP IV: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care II 2
NURP565 FNP V: Behavioral Health in Primary Care 2
NURP510 FNP Clinical Decision-Making I 2

Term 5

NURP411 Scholarly Inquiry 4
NURP511 FNP Clinical Decision-Making II 5

Term 6

NURP512 FNP Clinical Decision-Making III 5

Part-Time Course Sequence

Term 1

CHSO404 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURP 402 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse 1
NURP660 Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics 2

Term 2

NURP424 Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan 3
NURP670 Health Policy 3
Campus students will take IPE 450 in place of NURP 670.

Term 3

NURP530 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 3
NURP570 Health Promotion Global Perspective 2

Term 4

NURP561 FNP I: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care I 2
NURP562 FNP II: Women’s Health in Primary Care 2
NURP563 FNP III: Pediatrics in Primary Care 2

Term 5

NURP505 Family Theory: Health & Illness 2
NURP534 Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course 1
NURP564 FNP IV: Adult Gerontology in Primary Care II 2
NURP565 FNP V: Behavioral Health in Primary Care 2

Term 6

NURP410 Research Methods 3
NURP510 FNP Clinical Decision-Making I 2

Term 7

NURP411 Scholarly Inquiry 4
NURP511 FNP Clinical Decision-Making II 5

Term 8

NURP512 FNP Clinical Decision-Making III 5

Full-Time Course Sequence

Term 1

NURP405 Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, and Pharmacology 3
NURP410 Research Methods 3
NURP590 Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing 3
NURP590A Leadership Clinical I 3

Term 2

MGMT509 Health Economics and Finance 3
NURP675 Quality Improvement in Health Care 3
NURP591 Nursing Leadership and Management 3
NURP591A Leadership Clinical Course II 3

Term 3

NURP411 Scholarly Inquiry 4
NURP660 Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics 2
NURP592 Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts 3
NURP592A Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III 3

Part-Time Course Sequence

Term 1

NURP405 Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, and Pharmacology 3
NURP410 Research Methods 3

Term 2

NURP660 Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics 2
NURP675 Quality Improvement in Health Care 3

Term 3

NURP590 Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing 3
NURP590A Leadership Clinical I 3

Term 4

NURP591 Nursing Leadership and Management 3
NURP591A Leadership Clinical Course II 3

Term 5

NURP592 Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts 3
NURP592A Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III 3

Term 6

MGMT509 Health Economics and Finance 3
NURP411 Scholarly Inquiry 4

Full-Time Course Sequence

Term 1

CHSO404 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURP 402 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse 1
NURP570 Health Promotion Global Perspective 2
NURP660 Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics 2

Term 2

NURP424 Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan 3
NURP530 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 3
NURP670 Health Policy 3

Term 3

NURP426 Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan 3
NURP540 Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders 2
NURP541 PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan 2
NURP542 PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management 2

Term 4

NURP543 PMHNP III: Diagnosis & Management 3
NURP544 PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine 2
NURP 534P PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course 1
NURP520 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making I 2

Term 5

NURP410 Research Methods 3
NURP521 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making II 5

Term 6

NURP411 Scholarly Inquiry 4
NURP522 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making III 5

Part-Time Course Sequence

Term 1

CHSO404 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURP 402 Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse 1
NURP660 Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics 2

Term 2

NURP424 Advanced Pharmacology Across the Lifespan 3
NURP530 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span 3

Term 3

NURP426 Clinical Psychopharmacology Across the Lifespan 3
NURP540 Neurobiology & Differential Diagnosis of Mental Disorders 2
NURP570 Health Promotion Global Perspective 2

Term 4

NURP541 PMHNP I: Psychotherapy Across the Lifespan 2
NURP542 PMHNP II: Diagnosis & Management 2
NURP670 Health Policy 3

Term 5

NURP543 PMHNP III: Diagnosis & Management 3
NURP544 PMHNP IV: SMI & Addictions Medicine 2
NURP 534P PMHNP Immersion & Clinical Qualification Course 1

Term 6

NURP410 Research Methods 3
NURP520 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making I 2

Term 7

NURP411 Scholarly Inquiry 4
NURP521 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making II 5

Term 8

NURP522 PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making III 5

Simmons MSN Highlights

Students simulating giving CPR to a patient in the Nursing Simulation Center

Nursing Simulation Center

Our 11,000 square foot Nursing Simulation Center will help you gain real-world experience in a controlled clinical setting, allowing you the opportunity to get comfortable with your nursing skills before being expected to perform them off-site.

Explore the Nursing Simulation Center

850+

Clinical Training Sites

Boston-based students have access to more than 850 clinical training sites, including world-class hospitals like Massachusetts General, Brigham and Women’s, Boston Children’s, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Learn more about clinical training

94%

AACC certification exam

On the ANCC certification exam, Family Nurse Practitioner graduates scored 94%, 13 points above the 81% national average in 2025.

95%

AANP FNP Certification Exam Score

Simmons Direct Entry MSN graduates scored an impressive 95% on the AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Certification exam — 12 points above the 83% national average in 2024.