Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for BSN Holders
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.
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 |
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 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 |
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 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 |
Part-Time Course Sequence
Term 1
| NURP405 | Advanced Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, and Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURP410 | Research Methods | 3 |
Term 3
| NURP590 | Introduction to Nursing Leadership: Building Leadership Competencies in Nursing | 3 |
| NURP590A | Leadership Clinical I | 3 |
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 |
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 8
| NURP522 | PMHNP Clinical Decision-Making III | 5 |
Simmons MSN Highlights
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.
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.
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.