Fast track your advanced nursing degree
The RN to M.S.N. 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 B.S.N. program to substitute up to four graduate level courses (12 credits), upon request, as part of the RN to B.S.N. curriculum to help jump start your application to a master's program at SDSU. Approval to substitute courses does not guarantee admission to the graduate school at SDSU or the graduate nursing program. Formal application to the graduate program is made via NursingCAS in the final spring semester of the B.S.N. program.
The RN to B.S.N. is fully online. Each course in the RN to B.S.N. 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. Required coursework for all graduate programs can be found on graduate nursing.
Registered nurses who meet the following criteria are eligible:
- 3.0 cumulative GPA on 4.0 scale.
Please also review the RN to B.S.N. requirements and applicable Master of Science program criteria.
RN to B.S.N. courses are offered in seven week blocks; M.S.N. courses are offered in traditional semester format (15 weeks fall/spring; 10 weeks summer).
RN to B.S.N. Dates and Deadlines
| 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 M.S.N. Dates and Deadlines
Application Opens: August
Priority Deadline: December 1
Second Deadline: March 1
Final Deadline: April 15
Program Start: August
Tuition Information for the RN to B.S.N.
| Group | Price per credit | Core curriculum cost |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Residents | $408 | $12,240 |
| South Dakota Advantage (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Illinois and Wisconsin) | $408 | $12,240 |
| Non-Resident | $525 | $15,750 |
| Group | Price per credit | Core curriculum cost |
» Estimated cost is based on 2024-2025 BOR tuition/fees.
» All courses are worth three credits each and delivered in seven-week format.
» 30 SDSU 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 B.S.N. program, including but not limited to textbooks.
Tuition Information for M.S.N. Programs
In the RN to M.S.N. 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 BOR tuition/fees.
» Additional costs will be incurred throughout your program, including but not limited to textbooks, background checks, etc.
Financial Aid
SDSU 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.
Select RN to B.S.N. courses can be replaced with graduate courses to accelerate your M.S.N. plan of study. RN to M.S.N. students may substitute up to twelve M.S.N. credits for RN to B.S.N. credits.
RN to B.S.N. Courses
NURS 300: Transition to BSN (three credits)
NURS 301: Emerging Issues in Nursing (three credits) (sub NURS 675, Cultural Competence in Healthcare)
NURS 452: Introduction to Population Health (three credits)
NURS 455: Quality Improvement and Safety (three credits)
NURS 462: Application of Population Health (three credits)
NURS 463: Systems-Based Practice in Healthcare (three credits) (sub 670, Health Policy, Legislation, Economics)
NURS 465: Evidence-Based Practice and Research (three credits) (sub 626: Research in Nursing Healthcare)
NURS 466: Healthcare Informatics and Technologies (three credits) (sub 615: Foundations of Advanced Nursing)
NURS 468: Palliative Care Nursing (three credits)
NURS 469: Nursing Leadership in Practice (three credits)
Let's Talk
Our Nursing Student Services team is ready to help you find a path to meet your nursing goals. Fill out this online form and our staff will get back to you as soon as possible to answer your questions.
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