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Graduate
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(800) 414-5756
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Nov. 1: Spring | May 1: Summer | July 1: Fall
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Master of Science in Nursing Programs for a Variety of Nursing Careers

Do you want to live out your passion for healthcare in an advanced nursing or leadership role? Whether you want to promote patient health as a family nurse practitioner (FNP), use data to improve healthcare as a nurse informaticist or become a nurse educator, Troy University's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs and post-master's certificates prepare you for a transformative nursing career. At TROY, you'll gain the expertise to excel in this ever-evolving field and positively impact healthcare organizations and patients' lives. You'll benefit from rigorous academic instruction, hands-on preceptorships and options that fit your current education level and career goals. Choose from three online MSN degree options, an on-campus accelerated program, or, if you already hold a master's degree, three post-master's nursing certificates.

Averrett Hall

A Flexible MSN Program

Earn your nursing graduate degree at your own pace and in the format that works for you. Choose from full-time or part-time online options or a hybrid online/on-campus accelerated pathway to advance your career around your schedule. TROY's MSN programs encompass multiple emphases to help you achieve your career goals, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership. Our faculty will help you determine your degree path and the track that works best for you.

Online MSN Programs with Hands-On Learning and Built-In Preceptorships

Complete your core coursework in a flexible format while getting the practice hours you need for licensure and advanced nursing roles. Through internships and preceptorships that align with your interests, you'll gain hands-on experience that strengthens your expertise in your chosen area. Our students have completed internships in large hospitals, small hospitals and private practices alike, practicing direct patient care, learning from chief nursing officers, developing nursing curricula and working with data and technology. Whether you have a specific career goal in mind or aren't sure where to start, TROY's nursing faculty are here to guide you.
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Master of Science in Nursing Curriculum

Courses for the Master of Science in Nursing programs vary according to your specialization but generally include a core of nursing theory, research methods, data analysis and internships. Specific courses can include:
Academic Catalog Degree Map

Master of Science in Nursing Program Locations

Get the flexibility you need by earning your MSN degree online, or choose the accelerated MSN on the Dothan Campuses. MSN program faculty offer office hours online and on the Troy, Montgomery and Dothan Campuses. For more information about program availability and delivery options, call 1-800-414-5756.

Accelerated MSN: A Direct-Entry MSN for Non-Nurses

Want to transition into nursing but hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field? A hybrid of online and in-person classes, TROY's direct-entry MSN program offers an accelerated path to your nursing career. Across 63 credit hours and four consecutive semesters, you'll gain the healthcare expertise and hands-on clinical experience you need to become an entry-level nurse and sit for the NCLEX-RN for RN licensure. In addition to building a strong clinical foundation, you'll develop competencies in nursing leadership and healthcare systems, positioning you for long-term career growth and healthcare leadership opportunities. Request information to learn more.
TROY nursing students.

Master of Science in Nursing Careers

A master's in nursing can qualify you for positions in informatics, family practice and nursing education, or you can go on to pursue your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Faculty Profiles

Kelli Whitted, DNP, FNP-BC

Kelli Whitted, DNP, FNP-BC

Dr. Whitted serves as TROY's MSN Coordinator and is a professor within the School of Nursing. She has published widely on various topics, including improving nurse-provider communication, diabetic education management, reducing hospital visit rates using telemedicine, assessing childhood obesity, providers' prescription drug monitoring program, and asthma control in pediatric care . She is nationally certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and her clinical expertise is in the field of pediatrics.
Wade Forehand, PhD, DNP, MEDSURG-BC, RN-BC, CNE

Wade Forehand, PhD, DNP, MEDSURG-BC, RN-BC, CNE

Dr. Wade Forehand (DNP, Ph.D.) is the Director of TROY's School of Nursing. He has published widely on a broad range of topics, including nurse education, healthcare for historically marginalized groups and obesity. His clinical focus is nursing informatics, and his research interests include healthcare technology, quality improvement, evidence-based practice and mobile learning.

MSN Degree Options

Tailor your degree to become more competitive for MSN nursing careers within areas such as health informatics and nurse leadership.
Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (AMSN)
Start a new career in nursing with an accelerated Master of Science in Nursing, a program designed for non-nurses. In this program, you'll gain rigorous preparation for the nursing field, building the clinical judgment and the confidence you need for real-world nursing. By the end of the program, you'll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn RN licensure. You'll also have a foundation for future careers in hospital administration, care coordination and leadership positions.

Location - Dothan
Master of Science in Nursing: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership
Discover how to use technology to improve healthcare outcomes and general nursing practice. This nursing master's program equips you with data analytics, research, leadership and administration skills and can lead to careers such as nurse informaticist, health services manager, health informatics specialist, informatics educator, nurse leader and nurse director.

Master of Science in Nursing: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership - Academic Catalog
Master of Science in Nursing: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership - Degree Map
Location - TROY Online
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner

Advance your career as a practitioner with TROY's online post-master's nursing certificate in family practice. If you are an RN with a master's degree in nursing, this program will provide the expertise and clinical experience you need to advance in your role. You'll learn how to diagnose and treat health problems and how to promote health and wellness for people of all ages.

Careers for graduates of this program include family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, public health nurse practitioner and hospital-based nurse practitioner.

Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner - Academic Catalog
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner - Degree Map
Location - TROY Online
Post-Masters Certificate: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership

Specialize in emerging, in-demand fields of healthcare and gain the opportunity to become a nurse informaticist, healthcare informatics specialist or a nurse leadership role. 

The post-master's certificate in healthcare informatics and nursing leadership teaches you how to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery using data analytics and informatics tools. You'll also learn to lead and manage a team of nurses, healthcare projects and systems.


Post-Masters Certificate: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership - Academic Catalog
Post-Masters Certificate: Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership - Degree Map
Location - TROY Online
Post-Masters Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner

Advance your career as a practitioner with TROY's online post-master's nursing certificate in family practice. If you are an RN with a master's degree in nursing, this program will provide the expertise and clinical experience you need to advance in your role. You'll learn how to diagnose and treat health problems and how to promote health and wellness for people of all ages.


Post-Masters Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner - Academic Catalog
Post-Masters Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner - Degree Map
Location - TROY Online
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
Help train the next generation of nurses and fill a critical need with TROY's online post-master's nursing certificate in nursing education. Schools across the nation are experiencing a shortage in faculty, limiting nursing programs' ability to enroll future students. In this program, you'll learn how to educate future nurses by gaining knowledge and skills in pedagogy, curriculum development, teaching strategies, assessment, collaboration and more.

This post-master's nursing certificate prepares you for careers in academia or for a variety of positions such as nurse educator, clinical instructor, staff development specialist and patient education specialist. The Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Education consists of five courses, totaling 15 credit hours and 180 clinical hours. You can enroll at either the master's or doctoral level. Those who complete the program earn a certificate of completion, not another master's degree, and are eligible to apply for the appropriate specialty certification exam.

This certificate prepares you for careers in academia or for a variety of positions such as nurse educator, clinical instructor, staff development specialist and patient education specialist.


Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education - Academic Catalog
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education - Degree Map
Location - TROY Online

AMSN Application Information

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY. READ CAREFULLY!

Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree.

  • Have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Have successfully completed required general studies courses (a grade of C or better is required in many courses)
Application for admission to Troy University

Applicants must first apply and be accepted to Troy University. You may receive an application to TROY by contacting the Dothan Admissions Office at (334) 983-6556, ext. 21229, or you may apply online at troy.edu/admissions.

 
Application for admission to School of Nursing AMSN program

Applicants are admitted once per academic year in each Fall semester. Applications must be complete or will not be considered.

Required coursework prior to admission

Applicants are required to have previously completed specific general education coursework prior to applying for the AMSN program. Required courses include (within the past 7 years): Anatomy & Physiology I with lab, Anatomy & Physiology II with lab, Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology, Microbiology with lab, Nutrition, and Statistics.

Essay requirement for admission to School of Nursing AMSN program

Applicants must submit an admission essay along with the application and fee. The essay will provide an opportunity to explain your interest in becoming a nurse and how you can be successful in an accelerated (fast-paced) program of study. Consider describing the qualities that you possess that would make you a good nurse and explain why. You may also want to explain valued experiences you may have had that relate to nursing. The essay is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments or a record of your participation in activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admission committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual. The essay should be maximum two pages typed, double-spaced in Times New Roman, 12 Font. Essays will be reviewed for content, grammar, punctuation, and logical flow of ideas.

Unofficial Transcripts

Applicants must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities including Troy University. It is the student's responsibility to upload ALL unofficial transcripts to the AMSN application.

Interview

Applicants will be required to participate in an in-person or virtual interview as part of the admission process. The interview aids the Admission Committee in assessing the applicants' suitability for the accelerated nature of the program. Applicants will be assessed for their ability to handle stress, communication skills, and qualities beyond academic qualifications.

Application Fee

Applications must be accompanied by a $20.00 Application Fee. Applicants may submit their fee by telephone. No cash or checks will be accepted. Payments may be made by calling the Dothan Campus Student Financial Services at (334) 983-6556, ext. 21212 or 21210.

Notification to Applicants

Applicants will be notified by email of their admission as soon as possible. No one can verbally promise you a space, or acceptance into the AMSN Program. Official letters will be emailed as soon as possible from the TROY Admissions and Progression Committee. Unsuccessful candidates must reapply if they desire consideration for a future class.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE NURSING OFFICE for information regarding your admission status UNLESS you have not received a letter from the Admissions and Progression Committee by June 1.

MSN Degree Scholarships

Hill Crest Foundation Nursing Endowed Scholarship

As a student in the Master of Science in Nursing program, you'll be eligible to apply for up to $2,500 to support your education.

Scholarship Information

FAQ About the Master of Science in Nursing Programs

Learn more about the opportunities for MSN degree graduates and our program.
What is an MSN degree in nursing?
An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) is a graduate degree that equips nurses with the skills and expertise to become healthcare leaders working in a variety of roles, such as nurse leaders, advanced practitioners (FNPs), nurse educators, nurse administrators, or nurse informatics specialists. An MSN prepares you to improve health outcomes, create positive change in healthcare organizations and elevate nursing profession standards. Troy University offers several tracks that lead to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, including a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track, a Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership track, and an accelerated MSN.
What is the accelerated master's in nursing?
TROY is excited to offer a new MSN track, the Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (AMSN). This track officially launched in August of 2026 on the Dothan Campus and combines face-to-face and online instruction. It is designed for graduates of non-nursing baccalaureate programs and prepares one to take the national licensure exam (NCLEX®) to become a registered nurse.
Is a master's in nursing the same as nurse practitioner?
A master's in nursing is not the same as a nurse practitioner. A master's in nursing is a degree, whereas a nurse practitioner is a role. However, one of Troy University's MSN tracks can prepare you to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP). To become a nurse practitioner, you need a master's or doctoral degree in nursing and advanced clinical preparation which allows you to diagnose and treat patients. After completing the MSN FNP track, you would be eligible to apply to take the national certification exam to become an FNP.
What can you do with an MSN?

What you can do with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) depends on the type of MSN degree you choose. TROY's FNP program track equips you to go into advanced practice, providing more autonomy and allowing you to treat, diagnose and provide care directly to patients. You'll be prepared for the following roles:

  • Family nurse practitioner
  • Primary care provider
  • Urgent care nurse provider
  • Pediatric nurse provider
  • Women's health nurse provider
  • School nurse provider
  • Public health nurse providerIf you want to work in nursing but move out of direct practice, the Healthcare Informatics and Nursing Leadership track enables you to work in healthcare leadership roles such as:
  • Nurse informaticist 
  • Health informatics specialist
  • Chief nursing officer
  • Chief nursing information officer
  • Nurse director
  • Nurse leader
  • Nurse manager
  • Healthcare administrator
  • Telehealth coordinator
How long is a master's in nursing?
The MSN program at TROY takes 2-3 years to complete, depending on if you enroll full or part time and your prior education and experience. You may also choose the Accelerated MSN to complete your degree faster.
How do I choose the right nursing master's degree?

Choosing the right nursing master's degree starts with your background, career goals and the type of role you want to pursue in healthcare. If you're interested in advanced clinical practice and direct patient care, a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program may be the best fit. If your goals include leadership, systems improvement, data-driven decision-making, or technology in healthcare, Troy's MSN track in Nursing Leadership or Healthcare Informatics can prepare you for roles that influence care at the organizational level. 


For students who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, Troy's accelerated, direct-entry MSN offers a pathway into professional nursing while building a foundation for future leadership and advanced opportunities. 


If you're unsure which of the MSN tracks is best for you, TROY's advisors work with you to evaluate your experience, interests and long-term goals to identify the path that supports your career plans.


Is the online MSN degree available to out-of-state students? <h3>

Since each state has its own approval process for out-of-state online programs, TROY's online MSN degree program may or may not be available in your state. For more information, please email Dr. Teresa Johnson, our MSN Coordinator.


Is the online MSN program available to out-of-state students? <h3>

Since each state has its own approval process for out-of-state online programs, TROY's online MSN degree program may not be available in your state. For more information, please email the MSN Coordinator


What are the clinical requirements for admission into the Master of Science in Nursing programs? <h3>

To enroll in a clinical nursing course, you must have current documentation of the following:


  • Unencumbered RN licensure in the state where you wish to have your clinical experiences
  • Annual physical exam with TB skin test
  • Results of serum titers for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B indicating immune status
  • Basic cardiac life support (BCLS) or advanced cardiovascular life (ACLS) certification
  • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination within the past 10 years
  • Personal health insurance coverage
  • Negative urine drug test
  • Annual influenza vaccination
  • Clear criminal background check 
  • Signed OSHA and HIPAA training acknowledgment forms
  • Signed Permission to Release Records and Disclosure Statement forms
  • Signed acknowledgment of Core Performance Standards

You must have valid evidence documents from the time you register until the semester's end.

What are the clinical requirements for admission into the program?
To enroll in a clinical nursing course, you must have current documentation of the following:

  • Unencumbered RN licensure in the state where you wish to have your clinical experiences
  • Annual physical exam with TB skin test
  • Results of serum titers for measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and hepatitis B indicating immune status
  • Basic cardiac life support (BCLS) or advanced cardiovascular life (ACLS) certification
  • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination within the past 10 years
  • Personal health insurance coverage
  • Negative urine drug test conducted by LabCorp and verified by Certified Background
  • Annual influenza vaccination
  • Clear criminal background check verified by Certified Background
  • Signed OSHA and HIPAA training acknowledgment forms
  • Signed Permission to Release Records and Disclosure Statement forms
  • Signed acknowledgment of Core Performance Standards

You must have valid evidence documents from the time you register until the semester's end.

News

TROY's nursing program takes a comprehensive approach to equipping future nursing professionals with the skills to lead change in the medical field.

Types of MSN Degrees and What You Can Do with Them

With a growing need for primary care providers, nurse leaders and specialized nurses, the healthcare field offers a wealth of possibilities for new and experienced nurses. As a nurse, you have the opportunity every day to make a positive impact on patients and their families. If you have a passion for nursing and want to take the next step in your career, master's in nursing programs can open the door to opportunities in advanced clinical practice, leadership and more.

Read More

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