Master of Science in Nursing

The future of health care is waiting for you

As a student in Alverno's Master of Science in Nursing program, you will become a change agent to impact the health care disparities experienced by vulnerable populations, provide cutting-edge and cost-effective therapeutic interventions, address global health challenges through strategic use of technology and science, cultivate transformative thinking and diagnostic reasoning, and lead practice-based changes grounded in scientific evidence.

Our program, which is open to women and men, trains health care leaders who are ready to advance the nursing profession. Our graduates, who are highly sought after by health care system employers, are currently meeting critical community health needs by providing advanced care in primary care clinics, mental health hospitals and clinics, specialty units in hospitals, community-based organizations and many other settings.

Connect with us

We invite you to learn more about specific tracks within our MSN program by contacting Graduate Admissions at admissions@alverno.edu.

We offer the following advanced practice nursing MSN degree programs:

• The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced care to infants across the spectrum, from premature neonates to infants up to two years of age. You will complete 45 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care, specialty newborn care units, and level II-IV neonatal intensive care units. Courses are offered online, except for one on-campus NNP procedures workshop.
• The Dual Adult-Gerontology Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program will prepare you to provide advanced primary and acute care to adults, from adolescents to the elderly. You will complete 50 credits in theory, advanced clinical procedures, and clinical practicum courses, including 1,200 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care (600 hours) and acute/critical care settings (600 hours), thereby expanding your scope of practice and increasing your employability. Completion of the dual-track program requires only one semester more of full-time study than either the AGPCNP or AGACNP program alone. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for dual national certification as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.
• The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced acute care to adults, from adolescents to the elderly. The stabilization of patients with multiple complex health problems and prevention of complications through high-quality, cost-effective inter-professional team management is emphasized. You will complete 41 credits in theory, advanced clinical procedures, and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in acute and/or critical care settings.
• The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced primary care to adults, from adolescents to the elderly. Advanced health promotion, disease prevention, and high-quality, cost-effective management of episodic and chronic health problems are emphasized. You will complete 39 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care settings.
• The Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program will prepare you to provide advanced care across the age continuum from illness to wellness and from acute care to primary care. Clinical nurse specialists are leaders and facilitators of change, coordinators of specialized care, and implementers of evidence-based care within and between organizations to facilitate quality improvement, patient safety, and lower health care costs. You will complete 39 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in specialty care settings.
• The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program will prepare you to work in the community and to care for patients across the life span, treating common acute and chronic illnesses. Working in primary care settings, FNPs provide high-quality, patient-centered health care to a broad range of consumers. You will complete 39 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in primary care settings.
• The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program will prepare you to provide advanced comprehensive mental health care for individuals, families, and groups across the lifespan with psychiatric disorders. You will complete 42 credits in theory and clinical practicum courses, including 600 hours of supervised clinical practice in psychiatric and mental health care settings.

At the completion of your MSN program, you will be eligible to apply for national certification in your advanced practice specialty and state-sanctioned prescriptive authority.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

If you have already earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, consider one of our post-master's certificate programs. Depending on your prior master's coursework, in as few as three semesters you can advance your career in one of the following advanced practice nurse roles:

• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

With a post-master's certificate from Alverno, you will be eligible to apply for national certification in your advanced practice specialty and state-sanctioned prescriptive authority.

Program outcomes

In Alverno's MSN program, you will be guided by five program outcomes and required to demonstrate these abilities throughout your coursework as well as your career. To earn an Alverno MSN you will be expected to:

• Assume leadership
• Collaborate with, coordinate and manage an interdisciplinary team
• Communicate effectively
• Integrate nursing science and learning theory
• Synthesize inquiry processes and learning approaches

MSN Admission Requirements

You've already changed many lives. We believe you can change many more — starting with your own.

How do I know I can apply?

For consideration in this program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from a college or university accredited by a nursing accreditation agency approved by the Department of Education. You must hold a current, unencumbered registered nurse license or be eligible for RN licensure in the state of Wisconsin or multi-state compact.

Is there a way to help finance my future?

Graduate students are eligible to apply for loans. To qualify for a federal loan, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications can be found at fafsa.ed.gov (use Alverno's federal code 003832). We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA even if you do not anticipate the need for financial aid at this time. If your situation changes, your information will already be on file.

What about my busy schedule?

You will work closely with your advisor to develop a course projection plan that fits with your lifestyle.

Application steps

• Apply online
• Submit the following materials (in any order)
  • Two recommendations (Both must come from professionals who have played a supervisory role in your nursing development.)
  • Official transcripts (verifying baccalaureate or advanced degree in Nursing)
  • Professional Statement: Submit a two-page, double spaced professional statement describing why you want to pursue an advanced practice nursing degree in the particular track you've chosen, and share your goals for using your degree after graduation. Please use APA (American Psychological Association) format in your statement.
  • Current resume
  • Copy of unencumbered nursing license
• Application will be reviewed for admission.

Questions? Please contact the Alverno Admissions team at admissions@alverno.edu, 414-382-6100 or 800-933-3401.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the program format? Do we meet on campus or online?
A: Graduate courses are offered during the traditional 16-week semester. Courses meet on campus every other weekend. Classes are scheduled in four-hour increments on either: Friday 5:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday 8-Noon or 1-5 p.m. Additional sections may be available every other Wednesday 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track is offered 100% online.

Q. How many courses can I enroll in each semester?
A: Students may enroll in 1-3 courses per semester (generally 3-9 credits per semester). 6 credits is considered full-time for graduate students.

Q: How long will it take me to graduate?
A: The MSN programs include 39-44 total graduate credits. Generally speaking students enroll in 6 credits per semester, which is roughly 7 semesters to complete the program. Students who are able to successfully enroll in 9 credits per semester, may graduate in 5-6 semesters. Students enrolled in the 70-credit may take 4 years to complete the program.

Q. Will I need to take a statistics course prior to applying?
A: Statistics courses completed with a minimum B grade within 5 years of enrolling in the MSN program will be considered for transfer. Your admissions counselor can provide you with a list of transferable statistic courses. Students who do not meet this course requirement must enroll in statistics during the first semester.

Q: How many practicum hours are required? Where is practicum?
A: 600 hours of practicum (200 hours per each three semesters) are required for all single tracks. The Dual Adult-Gerontology Primary and Acute Care NNP program requires 1200 hours of practicum (300 hours per each four semesters). Students are responsible for securing their own preceptors and practicum sites. Once students are enrolled, they have access to databases which list all preceptors we have partnered with in the past. Students also can use their faculty advisor and clinical liaison as resources to help guide them through the process.

Q. Is financial aid available?
A: Graduate students are able to complete a FAFSA for student loan options for either the MSN programs or the post-MSN certificates. Federal grants are not available to graduate students. We encourage students to speak with their human resources representative regarding any tuition reimbursement available by employers and to research outside private scholarships.

Q. When do you admit new students? Is there an application deadline?
A: New students can apply to either the fall (August) or spring (January) semesters. Applications are reviewed monthly (September – May). Applicants are encouraged to apply 6 months prior to their desired start date.

Q: How much does the application cost?
A: Our applications are always free. Apply today at alverno.edu/apply.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, post-graduate Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Alverno College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

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