Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Advance your nursing career with three specialized tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Nursing Informatics. CCNE-accredited and designed for working registered nurses.
Degree
Master's Degree
Duration
2 to 3 years (depending on track)
Format
100% Online
Language
English
Credits
39–45 credit hours (varies by track)
Next Intake
Fall 2026
Application Deadline
March 15, 2026
Tuition
$4,635 per semester (in-state) / $16,320 per semester (out-of-state)
Financial Aid
HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs. Federal and state financial aid. Georgia HOPE scholarship for eligible students. Employer tuition assistance accepted.
Program Overview
The Master of Science in Nursing at Albany State University prepares registered nurses for the most in-demand advanced practice and leadership roles in healthcare. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this program offers three specialized tracks — Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Educator (NE), and Nursing Informatics (NI) — each designed to address a critical workforce shortage in healthcare today.
Southwest Georgia faces a severe healthcare provider shortage. Phoebe Putney Health System, the region's largest employer, has identified a need for nurse practitioners who can deliver primary care in rural and underserved communities. The FNP track directly addresses this need, preparing graduates to provide comprehensive primary care to patients across the lifespan — from pediatric well-child visits to geriatric chronic disease management. Graduates are eligible to sit for the AANP or ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam.
The Nurse Educator track responds to the national nursing faculty shortage — a shortage that limits the number of new nurses schools can train each year. Graduates teach in academic nursing programs and clinical education settings, designing curricula, assessing student competencies, and mentoring the next generation of nurses. The Nursing Informatics track positions nurses at the intersection of clinical care and health information technology — managing electronic health record systems, analyzing clinical data for quality improvement, and leading digital transformation projects in hospitals and health systems.
The didactic coursework is delivered entirely online, allowing working RNs to continue their clinical practice while earning their MSN. The FNP track requires 600+ hours of supervised clinical rotations, which can be completed at approved sites near the student's location. The NE and NI tracks are fully online with no clinical requirements.
Why This Program Stands Out
Who This Program Is For
This program is for licensed Registered Nurses with a BSN who want to advance their careers beyond the bedside. FNP track students are typically experienced clinical nurses (medical-surgical, emergency, critical care, community health) who want to diagnose, treat, and prescribe independently. Nurse Educator track students are experienced nurses who have mentored new hires or precepted students and want to formalize their teaching skills. Nursing Informatics track students are nurses who have been involved in EHR implementation, quality improvement, or data reporting and want to lead these efforts at the organizational level.
~$27,810
Total FNP cost (GA)
Approximately $4,635/semester over 6 semesters for the 45-credit FNP track. NE/NI tracks approximately $23,175.
3
Specialized tracks
Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nursing Informatics. Each with dedicated coursework and practicum.
600+
Clinical hours (FNP)
Supervised patient care rotations in family practice, pediatrics, women's health, and geriatrics at approved sites.
40%
NP job growth (2021-31)
Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 40% employment growth for nurse practitioners — the fastest of any healthcare occupation.
100%
Online didactics
All classroom coursework delivered asynchronously online. FNP clinical rotations are in-person at sites near your home.
No GRE
Required
Admission based on BSN GPA, RN license, clinical experience, and professional goals statement.
What Sets This Program Apart
CCNE accredited, certification-ready
Graduates of the FNP track are eligible for AANP or ANCC certification — nationally recognized credentials for independent primary care practice. CCNE accreditation is recognized by all state boards of nursing.
Three specialized tracks
Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, or Nursing Informatics. Each addresses a critical healthcare workforce shortage with focused coursework and practical experience.
Clinical placement support
A dedicated Clinical Placement Coordinator helps FNP students secure supervised rotation sites across Georgia. Students in rural areas have access to an extensive network of community health centers and primary care clinics.
HRSA loan repayment eligible
Graduates practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas — including most of rural Southwest Georgia — may qualify for HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment programs covering up to 85% of nursing education debt.
No GRE required
The MSN program does not require GRE scores for any track. Admission is based on your BSN GPA, clinical experience, and professional goals — not standardized test performance.
Addressing a regional crisis
Southwest Georgia faces a severe primary care provider shortage. FNP graduates from ASU are directly addressing this crisis, with many remaining in the region to serve the communities that trained them.
What You Will Learn
Advanced Clinical Practice (FNP Track)
Education & Leadership (NE Track)
Health Informatics & Technology (NI Track)
Skills You Will Gain
Interested in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)?
Meet the admissions team from ASU Albany at Coins For College Education Fair 2026. Ask questions, get answers, and start your application.