Online RN to MSN (Dual Degree Pathway)
Earn Two Nursing Degrees With One of the Nation’s Leading HBCUs
Online Coursework
3 – 4 Years
60 – 74 Credit Hours
Tiered Tuition Rates
Request More Information
Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
Complete Our RN to MSN Program Online to Fast-Track Your Nursing Career
- Apply By: 08/14/2026
- Start Class: 08/25/2026
As a registered nurse, you’re already making a difference for patients. Now, you can achieve even more through Delaware State University’s online RN to MSN Dual Degree Pathway. You’ll earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees while building skills for roles in leadership, education or advanced clinical practice.
Our online coursework goes beyond flexibility. You’ll join a supportive community led by expert faculty who empower you to close care gaps and advance health equity in your career.
Program Details
- Complete an RN to MSN online with one of the 10 best HBCUs1
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- DSU is one of Delaware’s leading educators of nurses of color2
Online RN to MSN Program Concentrations
DSU puts you in control as you prepare for the next phase of your career. You’ll choose an MSN concentration to build specialized skills for the professional path that interests you, whether you’re drawn to leadership, education or clinical practice.
Not sure which concentration is right for you? You’ll have time to find the best option for your goals while taking the undergraduate courses.
Family Nurse Practitioner
- Online
- 2 years and 8 months
- 47 Credits
Help close the primary care gap where it matters most — your community. You’ll graduate ready to seek the certification needed for FNP practice.
View ProgramGlobal Leadership
- Online
- 1.5 years
- 33 Credits
Become a nurse leader who confronts health challenges and innovates solutions with the potential to transform patient care on a global scale.
View ProgramNursing Education
- Online
- 1.5 years
- 33 Credits
Get on track for becoming a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) to teach and inspire tomorrow’s nurses in classrooms and clinical settings.
View ProgramPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Online
- 2 years and 8 months
- 47 Credits
Advance as a confident, culturally competent nurse practitioner to deliver holistic mental healthcare to patients across the lifespan.
View ProgramMore Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Learn To Elevate Patient Care in Your Community
19 – 24 courses
Practicum experiences
Begin the online RN to MSN Dual Degree Pathway to grow as a confident, culturally competent nurse leader. You’ll take classes in a welcoming online community led by faculty who understand the challenges nurses face and provide personal guidance that supports your success. The coursework strengthens your nursing competencies through hands-on experiences and concentration courses that align with your ambitions.
Take a Direct Path to Advanced Nursing Positions
Get Ready to Excel in the Graduate Coursework
The bridge courses focus on evidence-based practice, population-focused care and health policy, preparing you for the MSN component of the program.
Engage in Hands-On Practicum Experiences
In addition to the online coursework, you’ll complete practicum hours on the path to nursing education, global leadership or nurse practitioner roles.
Prepare to Acquire Credentials Beyond Your MSN
Our concentration coursework enables you to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) exam or seek licensure at the APRN level.
Admission Requirements
Your Journey to an MSN Starts Here
Application Deadline 08/14/26
Start Date 08/25/26
Through this online program, registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma in nursing can begin their journey to an MSN. You can also get credit for prior learning through a block transfer of ADN credits and for passing the NCLEX. Review the following requirements to learn the steps you’ll take when applying for admission.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $35 |
| Degree and Minimum GPA | An associate degree or diploma in nursing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. After enrollment, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA to enter the MSN portion of the program |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities |
| Transfer Credits | Students can transfer up to nine graduate credits. Undergraduate transfer credit availability will be determined by the graduate admissions office |
| Credit for Prior Learning Experience | Receive up to 33 prior learning credits for your associate degree or diploma in nursing and for maintaining licensure, such as the NCLEX or continuing education units (CEUs) |
| Additional Requirements | Current, unencumbered RN license in the U.S. |
International Students
DSU offers a welcoming community to students from around the world. In addition to the basic admission requirements, you’ll submit the following items with your application. Be sure to apply at least 90 days before classes start so that you have ample time to meet these requirements.
| RN License | You must have an RN license for the state in which you plan to practice |
|---|---|
| Visa | Only F-1 visas are accepted for international admission to degree programs. If you’re an F-1 transfer student, we require a copy of your I-20 form upon admission |
| Financial Documentation | International applicants must submit proof of funds to cover at least their first year of study. If living with a friend or relative in the U.S., students must submit additional documentation, such as an affidavit of free room and board with supporting documents. For financial documentation, international students must forward the required financial evidence to the Office of International Affairs |
| Transcript Evaluation | Transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) and sent to DSU |
| Standardized Test Scores | Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or ELI |
Begin Your Journey to Delaware State University
Each student follows a unique path to DSU, and we’re here to make your journey a success. Visit our Admissions Hub to explore the steps you’ll complete when applying for an online program. You can also learn about transferring credits, using military benefits and taking the next step as an international student.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Discover a Cost-Effective Pathway to Your BSN and MSN Degrees
DSU strives to remove financial barriers that may stand between you and your nursing career goals. When you request information, be sure to ask about financial aid and other ways to make the online RN to MSN Dual Degree Pathway fit your budget.
Note that the undergraduate portion of this program includes variable tuition — the more credit hours you complete each term, the lower your cost per credit.
| Cost per Credit Hour | Undergraduate courses:
Graduate courses: $500 per credit hour |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 60 – 74 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | Varies |
| Additional Fees | Undergraduate Fees:
Graduate Fees:
|
| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include expenses incurred during the online program |
Supporting the Ambitions of Military Students
DSU is proud to support the educational goals of active-duty and veteran service members. Here, you’ll receive guidance for your mission to continue your education, and you can make the most of the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, learn how you can receive credit for the knowledge and skills gained through your military service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
When you succeed professionally, your entire community rises with you. Knowing that education plays a central role in that success, DSU offers cost-effective tuition so that financial barriers don’t stand between you and your goals. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn how to make online education fit your budget.
Tuition Details
Discover Your Pathway to Advanced Nursing Careers
Through our online RN to MSN Dual Degree Pathway, you’ll build specialized skills needed for high-demand roles. For instance, nurse educator employment is projected to grow by 17% through 2034,3 and nurse practitioner positions are expected to increase 40%.4 As an online student, you’ll receive mentorship from faculty who are invested in your success — with their guidance, you can advance in the nursing specialty that aligns with your calling.
Build Skills for Advanced Nursing Roles
Nurse Practitioner $129,210 per year4
Medical and Health Services Manager $117,960 per year5
What You’ll Learn
Our online RN to MSN Dual Degree Pathway empowers licensed RNs to advance toward roles in leadership, education or advanced clinical practice. You’ll begin with general education and nursing bridge courses that prepare you for graduate studies. After that, you will complete master’s level courses that position you for success in your chosen specialty.
- Evidence-based practice
- Global leadership
- Health policy
- Nursing education
- Population-focused care
- Statistics
Program Outcomes
- Formulate effective communication to support safe healthcare practices
- Synthesize leadership concepts, principles and ethical reasoning in one’s specialty area to propose solutions and influence decision-making for quality outcomes in healthcare
- Maximize professional standards in the practice of healthcare with integrity, caring, accountability, respect and excellence in nursing practice
- Influence healthcare professionals as a leader and change agent in one’s specialty area to create safe, effective and culturally competent healthcare
- Combine knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning in one’s specialty area of practice to identify gaps in theory and practice and formulate research questions
Learn From Faculty Who Believe in Your Potential
Our faculty will welcome you like family and provide personalized mentorship to bring your goals to life. They understand your perspective and experiences — after all, many of our instructors walked similar paths before becoming leaders in their fields. Rely on their professional expertise as you prepare to advance in the career that interests you.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Jennifer Akey, EdD, Associate Professor, RN to MSN Dual Degree Pathway
Dr. Jennifer Akey is an associate professor in the Department of Nursing at Delaware State University. She holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from DSU, an MSN in Cardiopulmonary Clinical Nurse Specialist practice from the University of Delaware, and a BSN from SUNY Plattsburgh.
Dr. Akey’s research interests include health equity, healthcare assumptions and cultural competence within health and allied health education. She contributes to curriculum development, faculty mentorship and student support, drawing on her extensive experience as a clinician, educator and scholar to help prepare nurses for advanced leadership and professional roles.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. “Delaware State University Rankings.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/delaware-state-university-1428/overall-rankings.
- State of Delaware. Office of Management and Budget, Budget Development and Planning. “FY27 Governor’s Recommended Operating Budget – Higher Education.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://budget.delaware.gov/budget/fy2027/documents/operating/higher-ed.pdf.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Postsecondary Teachers.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Medical and Health Services Managers.” Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.