Master of Science in Nursing

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) master's degree is designed to prepare professionals in nursing administration and nursing education. No matter where your interests lie, our rigorous program will help you succeed. 

Throughout the program, you'll integrate knowledge and theory of health policy, organizations and health care financing and use it as a basis for the provision of quality, cost-effective care. Our program's core curriculum is curated to develop and increase your competencies in theory analysis and evaluation; concept clarification and development; research and refined skills in clinical inquiry; leadership; and analysis of contemporary issues. Building on the core curriculum, you'll apply your new knowledge and skills in a clinical setting. This will prepare you well for a variety of advanced nursing roles across health care settings and help you demonstrate effective advocacy for diverse populations. 

Students select a population focus of either adult-gerontologic or family health nursing and are prepared for the role of nursing educator or nursing administration/leadership and management. If you are interested in pursuing the nurse practitioner or nurse executive role preparations, you should apply to our postbaccalaureate Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP) degree option.

No matter which focus you choose, we are here to support you and your goals with an accredited program and expert faculty to guide you on this exciting journey.

There are thousands of dollars in scholarships available for students seeking a master's degree from UW-Eau Claire. For those studying nursing specifically, we offer scholarships like the Ardis N. McAfee Scholarship Fund. This scholarship awards up to $3,600 to a promising nursing student in our graduate program.

There are also a number of assistantships, fellowships and grants available to our graduate students. Learn more about additional scholarships and resources available to you by checking out our scholarships page.

Financial aid at UW-Eau Claire

Working to make your education affordable is very important to us. We are here to walk you through the financial aid process and make applying for aid and paying your bill as easy as possible. To get this process started, please contact our staff in Blugold Central — our one-stop-shop for tuition and financial aid. 

Learn more about our financial aid process at UWEC.

Accreditation information

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, the master's degree in nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C. 20001, (202) 887-6791. The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs are accredited through Dec. 31, 2021, and the DNP degree program is accredited through Dec. 31, 2021. The programs are approved by the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing.

A master's degree in nursing opens the door to new and exciting career opportunities. Our CCNE-accredited program will increase your leadership skills, update your health care provider knowledge and help you stand out when applying for jobs. 

MSN jobs

• Nurse administrator
• Nurse manager
• Nurse educator
• Nursing faculty

Courses throughout the MSN program are designed to build on your core nursing knowledge, helping you to become an expert in your field. You can personalize your studies to focus on education or administration career goals and take courses that align best with your passions and interests. Together, you and your advisor will select courses to increase your knowledge, population focus and functional role preparation. In the classroom, you'll examine health policy, personal and professional transitions, and ever-evolving, advanced nursing roles. 

Students can select full-time or part-time programs of study. You can find information on potential course sequencing in the MSN Sample Program Plan. Courses are offered during fall semester, Winterim and spring semester. The program plan begins in the fall semester. 

The MSN program of study is approximately 40-41 credits, depending on whether the student chooses to complete a scholarly project or thesis. Past projects have included the creation of educational brochures and materials on opioid addiction, as well as the development of a toolkit for converting to an electronic health record system in a health care organization.

Clinical practicums require an additional 525 hours of time over two semesters, scheduled during weekdays, though many of these can be arranged in your home community/region. Clinical hours provide a valuable opportunity for students to work with preceptors in clinical areas, under the supervision of a faculty member, to apply knowledge of the graduate coursework related to the role preparation.

Classes for master's in nursing students may include:

• Leadership and Health Policy in Nursing
• Individual, Family, and Community Responses
• Human Responses in Health and Illness: Adults and Older Adults
• Advanced Physiological and Pathophysiological Concepts
• Managing Technology in Turbulent Times
• Health Care Human Resources and Organization

Learn more about the master of science in nursing, family health-education degree in the UWEC course catalog.

Learn more about the master of science in nursing, family health-administration degree in the UWEC course catalog.

Learn more about the master of science in nursing, adult-gerontology-administration degree in the UWEC course catalog.

Learn more about the master of science in nursing, adult-gerontology-education degree in the UWEC course catalog.

Prior to applying, we strongly encourage you to contact Dr. Catherine Kenney, Admissions Coordinator – Graduate Nursing Programs, to review your career goals, discuss your interest in the program and address any questions you might have about the program. Information sessions are also available so that you can better understand the graduate nursing program options at UWEC.  

Applications will be accepted starting Sept. 15, 2020, and the priority application due date is Jan. 4.

Please submit the following materials for admission to the MSN program:

• A completed University of Wisconsin-Online Admission Application and a $56 university application fee. This fee may be paid by credit card at the time you submit the university application.
• A separate nonrefundable $35 program application fee that must be paid by a separate check or money order. Please write checks to “UWEC” and “Nursing grad app fee” in the memo. Checks can be mailed to the address below.

UW-Eau Claire
Office of Admissions
Schofield Hall 111
105 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54701

• Transcripts of your academic work from the institution that granted your baccalaureate degree in nursing and from any institution from which you have completed coursework necessary for admission (e.g., an undergraduate statistics course if taken at an institution different from your degree-granting institution) to be sent directly to the Office of Admissions).
• The MSN Demographic Data Form, including information about your RN license. You must have a valid RN license in the U.S. to apply. An RN license in the state of Wisconsin is required by July 1 after being admitted to the MSN program. Special consideration/exceptions may be obtained for applicants completing a BSN and licensure eligible.
• References from three individuals who are knowledgeable about your clinical ability and/or potential for graduate study, (e.g., employer, nurse manager, supervisor or instructor). You will need to complete the top section of the form and send it as an attachment to your reference providers. Use only the MSN Reference Form. 
• The MSN graduate admission essay when you submit your application to the university. You'll find the questions and instructions on the MSN Application Essay Details form.
• Your resume/curriculum vitae. 

You can submit your Demographic Data Form and resume/curriculum vitae electronically to admissions@uwec.edu. Please have your references submit their completed forms to the same email address. 

For consideration for admission, an applicant must have:

• An undergraduate degree in nursing (with at least a 3.00 GPA) from a program accredited by CCNE.
• NLN or ACEN RN licensure in the U.S. at time of admission and Wisconsin licensure by no later than July 1 following admission to the program.
• Prerequisite course content in undergraduate statistics and health assessment (minimum grade of C).

The Department of Nursing Graduate Curriculum and Admissions Committee reviews completed applications after the priority deadline. Following admission to the nursing program, students must in a timely manner provide required health record information, information to conduct a criminal background check and evidence of current CPR certification.

Please contact Dr. Catherine Kenney (715-836-3638, kromricc@uwec.edu) or Patricia McGregor, University Services Program Associate (715-836-4834, mcgregpj@uwec.edu) if you have any questions about the application process.  

To facilitate graduate study, courses are offered on a block schedule with the first-year course on Mondays, meeting generally once per week on campus with some online content. During the second year, courses are on Tuesdays and follow a hybrid format with online and some immersion days on campus. All core graduate courses are offered once per year, with the second-year educator role preparation courses (NRSG 730/731) offered on an alternate year basis, e.g., 2022-2023, 2024-2025 and the administrative courses (750-751) offered on the opposite years, e.g., 2021-2022, 2023-2024.

Thinking about a master's degree in nursing? You may be interested in exploring our doctor of nursing practice degree, including our MSN-DNP program.