RN to MSN Programs in New York

View more online MSN programs currently taking applications.

Find Online Master of Nursing Programs in New York

New York requires that licensed nurses complete an undergraduate nursing program that is officially approved by the State Board of Nursing division of the New York State Education Department.

NYSED has approved 38 schools for graduate-level nursing degrees, 16 of the state-approved schools are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Online MSN Programs in New York

Several blended or hybrid state-approved Master of Science in Nursing programs are available in New York state, but the following is a list of those that are primarily conducted online.

Roberts Wesleyan College

Two tracks are available for students seeking an online MSN from Robert Wesleyan College: Nursing Leadership & Administration and Nursing Education. Students may choose to complete classes 1 night per week in the classroom or entirely online. Emphasis is on a cohort format of group learning.

SUNY Brockport

SUNY Brockport offers one online MSN program in the specialty of Family Nurse Practitioner. Non-clinical coursework is fully online, while clinical courses are hybrid and require in-person attendance a handful of times per semester.

View more online MSN programs currently taking applications.

StonyBrook University

Stonybrook offers several concentrations within its online Master of Science in Nursing program: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, Family Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Leadership, and Nursing Education. Coursework for all tracks is primarily delivered online, though some on-site attendance is required.

Excelsior College

Three specialties are available within Excelsior's MSN: Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems.

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Only one Master's concentration in Nursing is available online at SUNY Polytechnic Institute: an MSN in Nursing Education. This program includes 150 hours of practicum experience in the teaching field. Both part-time (6 semesters) and full-time (4 semesters) options are available.

D'Youville College

Students can choose between two delivery options at this school: 90% online or on-campus (one day per week). Two specialties are offered: Nursing Education with a Clinical Focus and Nursing Management with Quality Leadership. It is recommended that you check which of these programs are recognized by the State Board of Nursing in NY.

Typical Curriculum for a Master's in Nursing

A full-time student can typically complete a Master of Science in Nursing degree in 2 years, though most schools offer a part-time option. Nursing programs generally require students to complete a core curriculum before delving into the nursing specialty of their choice. This core curriculum tends to cover topics relating to research methods, foundational theories of nursing roles (including ethical and legal considerations), nursing informatics, healthcare policy, pharmacology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology.

Following these initial semesters of coursework, students will learn advanced material relevant to the track of their choice. The latter part of a Master's in Nursing will likely integrate practical clinical experience with classroom study, allowing students to both learn from and apply their skills to real-life situations.

All Accredited Schools with MSN Degrees in New York

Nursing Licensure in New York

After attending an ADN or BSN program recognized by the New York Nursing Board, applicants must earn a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and then apply with the New York State Board of Nursing for licensure to practice in New York. The following nursing licenses licenses are recognized and regulated by the New York State Board: Registered Professional Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Licensed Practical Nurse and Nurse Practitioner.

In order to obtain licensure in New York at the Advanced Practice level, nurses must have graduated from a graduate-level program approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) or have been certified by a state-approved national body within their specialty. Additional pharmocology coursework is not required for nurses that have completed qualifying NP programs. The state recognizes specialties in the fields of Acute Care, Adult Health, College Health, Community Health, Family Health, Gerontology, Holistic Care, Neonatology, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Palliative Care, Perinatology, Psychiatry, School Health, and Women’s Health. Graduates of Nurse Practitioner programs recognized as acceptable by the states do not have to pass an additional examination to practice as NPs within New York.

New York State recognizes the following certification Boards: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Nurses Credentialing Center, National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses, National Certification Corporation, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, and Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. License renewal occurs every 3 years.

Salary Information for Nurse Practitioners in New York

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2018 the annual mean salary for nurse practitioners in New York was $120,970 (higher than the national estimate, which is $110,030). New York registered nurses earned an annual mean salary of $85,610 (the national average was estimated to be $75,510) and nursing anesthetists in New York earned $191,130 (compared to an estimated national average of $174,790). Nursing instructors in this state earned an annual mean salary of $91,900, exceeding the national average of $81,350.