RN to MSN
The RN to MSN program is designed to help registered nurses who have an associate's degree in nursing move ahead in their career. The program allows students in the RN to BSN program to substitute up to four graduate-level courses (12 credits), upon request, as part of the RN to BSN curriculum to help jump-start your application to a master's program at ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ. Approval to substitute courses does not guarantee admission to the graduate school at ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ or the graduate nursing program. Formal application to the graduate program is made via NursingCAS in the final spring semester of the BSN program.
The RN to BSN is fully online. Each course in the RN to BSN program is offered a minimum of three times per year. Students have the ability to design their own pace of degree completion. Master's coursework can be completed online, allowing you to work while taking classes.
Our faculty and staff are here to help you map your nursing career and reach your professional goals.
Admission Criteria
Registered nurses who meet the following criteria are eligible:
- 3.0 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale.
Please also review the RN to BSN requirements and applicable Master of Science program criteria.
Application Deadline and Course Calendar
RN to BSN courses are offered in seven-week blocks; MSN courses are offered in traditional semester format (15 weeks fall/spring; 10 weeks summer).
| Term | Application due date |
|---|---|
Spring Term 1 | Dec. 1 |
Spring Term 2 | Feb. 1 |
Summer Term 1 | Apr. 1 |
Summer Term 2 | Jun. 1 |
Fall Term 1 | July 1 |
Fall Term 2 | Sept. 1 |
RN to MSN Dates and Deadlines
Application opens: August
Priority deadline: Dec. 1
Second deadline: March 1
Final deadline: April 15
Program start: August
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition Information for the RN to BSN
| State | Estimated Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| South Dakota Resident | $640 |
| Non-South Dakota Resident | $962 |
| Child of Alumni | $640 |
South Dakota Advantage (Offered to qualified students from Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming and who have received a conferred undergraduate degree from an South Dakota Board of Regents institution.) | $640 |
» Estimated cost is based on 2025-2026 South Dakota Board of Regents tuition/fees.
» All courses are worth three credits each and delivered in seven-week format.
» 30 ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ credits are required for program completion.
» Full time: 12 credits per semester • Completion in 10 months.
» Part time: six credits per semester • Completion in 18 months.
» Additional costs will be incurred throughout the BSN program, including but not limited to textbooks.
Tuition Information for MSN Programs
In the RN to MSN program, you may substitute up to four graduate-level courses (12 credits), upon request.
| State | Estimated Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| South Dakota Resident | $613 |
| Non-South Dakota Resident | $927 |
| Child of Alumni | $613 |
South Dakota Advantage (offered to qualified students from Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming and who have received a conferred undergraduate degree from an SDBOR institution) | $613 |
» Estimated cost per credit includes general activity fee, university support fee, nursing delivery fee and program delivery fee.
» Estimated cost is based on 2024-2025 South Dakota Board of Regents tuition/fees.
» Additional costs will be incurred throughout your program, including but not limited to textbooks, background checks, etc.
Financial Aid
ÈÕ±¾avÊÓƵ is committed to helping students find the resources available to help pay for college — our Office of Financial Aid is here for you.
Please contact your adviser regarding financial aid if you would like to consider dual enrollment in you associate degree program and RN to BSN program.
Courses
Select RN to BSN courses can be replaced with graduate courses to accelerate your MSN plan of study. RN to MSN students may substitute up to 12 MSN credits for RN to BSN credits.
RN to BSN Courses
NURS 300: Transition to BSN (3 credits)
NURS 301: Emerging Issues in Nursing (3 credits) (sub NURS 675, Cultural Competence in Health Care)
NURS 452: Introduction to Population Health (3 credits)
NURS 455: Quality Improvement and Safety (3 credits)
NURS 462: Application of Population Health (3 credits)
NURS 463: Systems-Based Practice in Health Care (3 credits) (sub 670, Health Policy, Legislation, Economics)
NURS 465: Evidence-Based Practice and Research (3 credits) (sub 626: Research in Nursing Health Care)
NURS 466: Health Care Informatics and Technologies (3 credits) (sub 615: Foundations of Advanced Nursing)
NURS 468: Palliative Care Nursing (3 credits)
NURS 469: Nursing Leadership in Practice (3 credits)
