Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master's Certificates
Earn your MSN online at Tennessee Tech — nurse practitioner, nursing education, and nursing administration concentrations, post-master's certificates, and an RN-to-MSN bridge.
At a Glance
- Credential: Master of Science in Nursing, or a post-master's certificate
- Concentrations: Nurse practitioner, nursing education, nursing administration
- Format: Online coursework with precepted clinical hours in your area
- Length: Varies by concentration and by full- or part-time study
- Bridge option: RN-to-MSN, available with any concentration
- Clinical courses are precepted: You work one-on-one with a practicing clinician, and we help you plan placement. Your concentration's plan of study lists the sequence and the clinical hours your role requires.
Choose Your Concentration
Choose the role you want to practice in, and we build the plan around it. Our concentrations lead to nurse practitioner practice, to teaching the next generation of nurses, and to leading nursing services — and every one of them is designed for a working RN. If you already hold a master's in nursing, the same concentration coursework is available as a post-master's certificate.
Concentration |
MSN |
Post-Masters Certificate |
| Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) | Yes | Yes |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) | Yes | Yes |
| Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) | Yes | Yes |
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner — Primary Care (PNP-PC) | No | Yes |
| Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) | No | Yes |
| Nursing Education | Yes | Yes |
| Nursing Administration | Yes | Yes |
RN-to-MSN Bridge
If you are a registered nurse who already holds a bachelor's degree in another field, the RN-to-MSN bridge takes you to the master's without a separate BSN. It works with any of our concentrations. If you are completing your BSN with us, our Fast Track lets designated graduate courses count toward both degrees — with a 3.25 nursing GPA, and best arranged before your first semester.
How to Apply
Graduate applications are submitted through Tennessee Tech Graduate Studies. We will follow up after admission to begin planning your program of study.
What You Will Need
- Current unencumbered RN licensure or anticipated licensure timefram
- A BSN from an accredited program or ancitipated graduation date
- Minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants below a 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission on a case-by-case basis.
- Résumé and essay/letter of interest
Questions
Please contact Dr. Rachel Mattson Hall at rmhall@tntech.edu or Benjamin Clark at bclark@tntech.edu, or call 931-372-3203.
Accreditation
Tennessee Tech MSN Program
The master's degree program in nursing at Tennessee Tech University is accredited
by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
655 K Street, NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
TNeCampus MSN
The Master of Science in Nursing program formerly offered through TNeCampus was accredited through 2019 Fall by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3343 Peachtree Road Suite 850 Atlanta, GA 30326 Phone: (404) 975-5000Career and Degree Information
FNP
The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration prepares graduates to provide comprehensive primary health care services to individuals from infancy through adulthood. FNPs are prepared to provide holistic care to individuals and families with acute and chronic illnesses. FNPs provide preventive health services, patient education, disease management, illness prevention, and other kinds of care provided within the context of family and community. Family Nurse Practitioners are among those who, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), contribute significantly to providing health care to underserved populations residing in both urban and rural settings. At the completion the graduate will be qualified to sit for a national certification as an FNP which will enable them to apply for licensure in their state of clinical practice.
PMHNP
The focus of the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration is to prepare advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive psychiatric-mental health care across the life span to individuals, groups and families in diverse settings. Graduates are eligible for Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner works in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team. Graduates are prepared for employment in varied healthcare settings.
AGACNP
The focus of the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner is to provide healthcare from adolescence to older adults in hospitals and clinic settings focusing on management of clients across acute care settings in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team. Graduates are eligible for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. Graduates are prepared for employment in varied healthcare settings.
WHCNP
The focus of the Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner concentration is to prepare advanced practice nurses to provide comprehensive health care to meet the unique needs of women in diverse settings. Graduates are eligible for Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner national certification examination. The Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner works in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team. Graduates are prepared for employment in varied healthcare settings.
PNP-PC
The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner — Primary Care concentration focuses on patient-centered quality care, including common and acute illnesses, with an emphasis on quality of care and health outcomes. The patient population is children of all ages. Graduates are eligible for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner — Primary Care national certification examination. The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner works in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team, and graduates are prepared for employment in varied healthcare settings.
Nursing Education
The Nursing Education concentration prepares graduates for the role of nurse educator in both an academic and clinical staff development environment. Graduates are well prepared to assume the roles of faculty and clinical instructor in academic settings or nursing/staff development positions in health care facilities. Graduates are encouraged to pursue certification as a Certified Nurse Educator.
Nursing Administration
The Nursing Administration concentration prepares graduates for management of healthcare systems including fiscal and resource management. Graduates will be prepared for evaluation of systems outcomes for the promotion of patient safety, quality of care based on patient and staff advocacy, legal, ethical, and regulatory compliance.
MSN Program Outcome Goals
- Demonstrate knowledge and competencies in advanced nursing, teaching (classroom and clinical settings) and administration
- Integrate specialized knowledge and theories from nursing and related disciplines into advanced nursing roles
- Use research to validate and refine knowledge relevant to advanced nursing roles
- Practice advanced nursing roles in collaborative relationships across disciplines and in partnerships with communities (nursing education, nursing administration, and advanced clinical practice)
- Manage the healthcare of clients within legal, ethical and professional standards
- Improve the health of clients among diverse population groups
- Promote positive changes in health care delivery, health policies and nursing practice
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The Whitson-Hester School of Nursing cannot guarantee licensure eligibility outside the state of Tennessee. Applicants are encouraged to contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum. For more information see Tennessee Tech’s Professional Licensure Disclosure web page or the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.