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Online RN to MSN Programs in Texas
Public universities in Texas are willing and able to offer online RN to MSN programs. Each one has unique admissions requirements (e.g. non-nursing bachelor’s vs. associate degree or diploma), so check the school profiles first to see if you qualify for entry. Here are some more distinguishing factors:
- Lamar University: Lamar’s Online RN to MSN is taught by the same instructors who teach on campus. With multiple start dates and a short time-frame, it’s been designed with working professionals in mind. Be aware that it’s offered in Administration or Education (not NP specialties).
- Texas Woman’s University: TWU’s has online options for almost every type of RN. The concentrations in Nursing Education, FNP, and Health Systems Management with a Minor in Business are 100% online. Other options will be hybrid and on-campus. The FNP track has 3 intakes per year and a streamlined structure, but check the page on State Authorizations for FNP to confirm you can apply.
- The University of Texas at Arlington: UTA’s Online RN to MSN is available in Administration, Nurse Educator, or FNP. The FNP is offered in 5- and 10-week courses, with multiple starts throughout the year. However, residents of certain states are not eligible to enroll in UTA accelerated online programs. See program map for details on each concentration.
- The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley: UTRGV’s 100% online programs in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education are open to ADNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The page on State Authorization has details on availability. UTRGV is part of NC SARA, but California is not included in this compact.
- West Texas A & M University: WTAMU has two RN to MSN concentrations, but only the Comprehensive MSN is offered in the online accelerated format. In the Comprehensive degree, you can specialize in Nursing Administration/Management or Nursing Education. There are no pre-scheduled clinical hours and no campus attendance is required.
Do you live near a university campus? Be sure to consider the hybrid options, too! For example, all of TAMUCC’s MSN concentrations are offered in a 100% online format (clinical practicums will take place in your own geographical area). And UTHealth offers a blended model for the MSN that only meets on campus 2-4 times per semester.
Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Texas
Our ranking of the most affordable Texas RN to MSN programs was calculated using per credit graduate tuition rates. But we want to point out that it’s just a ballpark! Each program in our school listings has a unique number of credits and additional fees. That means some schools with higher tuition rates (e.g. UTRGV) may actually be more affordable than the names you see here.
What’s more, universities often have different undergraduate tuition rates for bridge coursework. And others might accept transfer credits and a portfolio review on selected bridge courses. Talk to the program coordinator about the total cost, including fees.
- West Texas A & M University: In-State & Online (Out-of-State is higher for campus programs)—View Tuition Rates
- Texas Woman’s University: In-State (Out-of-State is higher)—View Tuition Rates
- The University of Texas at Arlington: Administration & Nurse Educator Programs (FNP tuition rate is higher)—View Tuition Rates
- Lamar University: View Tuition Rates
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston: View Tuition Rates
Texas’s Healthcare Landscape
Texas is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, you have a booming network of cities, packed with high-powered medical centers, NIH-funded research projects, state-of-the-art facilities, and some of the best healthcare in the nation. In the BCBS Health Index Map, you’ll see that counties in the west and northwest and places around urban areas are relatively healthy.
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): With its numerous hospitals and patient care centers, Texas Health Resources is one of the top three employers in the DFW area. Baylor Health Care System, UT-Southwestern Medical Center, and HCA North Texas aren’t far behind. Many hospitals have been expanding facilities in recent years (e.g. Methodist Dallas Medical Center) and healthcare companies are moving in.
- Houston: Some of Houston’s largest employers are healthcare organizations, including Memorial Hermann Health System, The University of Texas MD Anderson, The Methodist Hospital System, and UTMB Health. They’re part of the Texas Medical Center—the largest medical center in the world. TMC has been estimated to have a regional annual economic impact of $20 billion. In fact, the healthcare sector has helped to sustain the city when other sectors have flagged (e.g. energy).
On the other hand, you have a state with significant troubles. If you examine Texas in America’s Health Rankings, you’ll see a place that’s facing a high prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular deaths, high obesity rates (especially among youth), increased mental distress, and a lack of primary care physicians. The high rate of uninsured residents is a particular concern. The state government has resisted efforts to expand Medicaid, which has left a number of folks on the healthcare margins.
The hardest hit are in the countryside. Texas invariably struggles in the U.S. Rural Health Report Card. The state has a higher poverty rate in rural areas than urban areas; it often leads the nation in rural hospital closures; access to care is extremely limited for rural residents; and the all-cause mortality rate can be almost 20% higher than the rate in urban counties. If you’re interested in rural healthcare, you’ll be very much needed.
Jobs for Texas RN to MSN Graduates
Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates
It will come as no surprise that Texas is home to a massive number of APRNs. One look at the job maps on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)’s page for Nurse Practitioners is evidence enough.
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington and Houston have some of the highest NP employment levels in the country, employing 3,000+ nurse practitioners in each metropolitan area.
- Many of the hospitals in these two cities top the U.S. News & World Report rankings of Best Hospitals in Texas.
Keep in mind, too, that university campuses in these areas have to employ Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary. Thanks to the presence of well-known names (e.g. UTD), Dallas-Fort Worth is a particular hotspot in the nurse educator arena.
But your choices aren’t limited to the two behemoths:
- Austin is emerging as a strong job center for nurses. UT, in particular, has been driving innovation in medical research and training (e.g. Dell Medical School, Capital City Innovation, etc.), which is leading to new employment opportunities.
- San Antonio is the third fastest growing economy in the country, with much of the growth coming from healthcare and emerging bioscience technologies.
- Even El Paso and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission (i.e. Rio Grande Valley) will have opportunities for nurses with advanced training.
Determined to help the rural populace? Texas is facing an impending nursing shortage and rural towns are often the first to feel the effects. For example, vacancy rates for APRNs in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) are almost always high. To remedy the shortages, Texas NPs have been lobbying for full practice authority in recent years, but they’ve faced stiff opposition. Check the TNP’s section on Advocacy Issues for the latest updates.
Career Resources for Future APRNs
Texas Nursing Job Boards
- TNA Career Center: Openings for Texas nurses, including APRNs
- TNP Career Center: Job listings for Texas NPs
- TONE Career Center: Job listings for Texas nurse leaders
Texas APRN Salary & Wage Data
- Annual Mean Wages for Texas Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
- Annual Mean Wages for Texas Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
- AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members
Texas Nursing Organizations
State Board of Nursing
TX Nursing Associations & Coalitions
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): Texas Chapters
- National Black Nurses Association (NBNA): Texas Chapters
- Texas Action Coalition (TAC)
- Texas Nurses Association (TNA)
- Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP)
TX Nursing Specialty Organizations
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Texas Chapter (APNA Texas)
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Texas (AWHONN – Texas)
- Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse-Midwives (CTCNM)
- Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TXANA)
- Texas Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (TAPAN)
- Texas Clinical Nurse Specialists (TXCNS)
- Texas Emergency Nurses Association (TXENA)
- Texas League for Nursing (TLN)
- Texas Nursing Students’ Association (TNSA)
- Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE)
- Texas School Nurses Organization (TXSNO)
- Texas State Association of Occupational Health Nurses (TSAOHN)
Texas RN to MSN School Listings
9 Schools FoundLamar University
JoAnne Gay Dishman Department of Nursing
Beaumont, Texas
RN-MSN Articulation Track - Nursing Administration
Offered Online
RN-MSN Articulation Track - Nursing Education
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Lamar is a public university in the Texas State University System, so the total cost for this RN-MSN is very affordable. From what we've seen, the School of Nursing has made a determined commitment to distance learning. All faculty in the MSN are doctorally prepared and online students are supported through the Virtual Caring Place. There are a large number of nursing scholarships for MSN students, but it's best to check if Online RN to MSN candidates qualify. We're also happy to report that the school is rigorous about publishing outcomes and student achievement data. In the past, the MSN has seen strong completion rates and a 100% job placement for graduates in role-related professional practice. Independent reviews from alumni say that studying nursing at Lamar is hard, intense, and rewarding.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Lamar's convenient online program is designed for RNs with an associate's degree (e.g. AAS or ADN) or diploma in nursing who wish to earn a BSN along the way. Candidates should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, but applicants with a GPA of 2.75-2.99 can take the MAT in order to be considered. Lamar will accept 29 transfer credits for previous undergraduate nursing courses. After you've been accepted, you'll be required to complete 58 credits: 4 BSN nursing courses (400-level), 3 transition courses, 3 MSN nursing core courses, and 8 MSN courses in either administration or education (plus any remaining undergraduate prerequisites). To help you get stuck into real-world issues, both concentrations include 4 credit hours of practicums and an evidence-based practice project. Because you're allowed to earn both BSN and MSN credits for certain courses, the entire process can be completed in 36 months.
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Corpus Christi, Texas
Nursing School Overview
It's no exaggeration to say that TAMUCC is a big public school - the College of Nursing & Health Sciences has the fourth largest MSN program in Texas. That means a bit of self-discipline may be required. Nursing graduate programs are designed to accommodate working professionals, with online coursework and part-time schedules, but students are responsible for identifying and selecting preceptors for their clinical experiences. Some student reviewers note that the volume of work can be challenging, but others are quick to praise the supportive professors. The College also attracts a goodly portion of minority students (e.g. 50% for the MSN). In fact, TAMUCC likes to boast that nursing faculty are experienced with teaching first-generation master's students.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
TAMUCC offers two pathways to the MSN. RNs with an associate degree in nursing and no additional education should choose the RN-MSN option. RNs with an ADN and a bachelor's degree in another discipline are eligible for the RN-Bridge program. Neither of the programs include a BSN. All candidates should have a valid, unencumbered Texas Nursing License and submit a resume, essay, 3 references, and transcripts (there's no stated GPA in admissions, but we've seen 3.0 quoted elsewhere). Once accepted, RN-MSN students will need to fulfill all the undergraduate prerequisites and tackle 5 undergraduate courses (21 credits in total, including practicum experiences and skills demonstrations). Because of their experience, RN-Bridge students only have to complete 4 of these courses. Overall, the undergraduate portion takes 1 year to complete. After that, folks can proceed to the MSN, which takes around 3 years. It's important to note that all MSN specialties are offered completely online.
Texas Woman's University
College of Nursing
Denton, Texas
RN-MS Program - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN-MS Program - Nurse Educator
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
TWU is an independent public university that is a) co-educational and b) a respected provider of healthcare education. It holds a Carnegie classification as a comprehensive research and doctoral university and TWU Nursing is active in the field. It runs a Center for Global Nursing; has research stakes in women's health, quality patient outcomes, and health systems management; and it places a strong emphasis on holistic care. If you're eyeing the FNP, the school has a faculty and placement coordinator to help you with clinical placements and a great FNP first-time licensure pass rate (98% from 2010-2018). Better yet, aspiring nurse educators are eligible for a Nurse Educator Tuition Award. And reviews from graduates are uniformly positive. Alumni praise the helpfulness of the faculty, the strong structure of the classes, the applicability of the curriculum, and the toughness of the program. One FNP student noted that employers are keen to seek out TWU graduates.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
TWU's affordable programs are open to RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing (RN-MS) and RNs who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree (Post-Baccalaureate RN-MS). Nurses in the RN-MS route earn a BSN on their way toward the master's degree; Post-Baccalaureate students do not. Candidates should have a minimum 3.0 GPA. and a current U.S. RN license (unencumbered). Folks with a lower GPA may be considered for provisional admission on an individual basis. Once accepted, students in the RN-MS track will need to take 7 undergraduate courses (22 credits). Students in the Post-Baccalaureate track only take 5 courses (18 credits). However, folks may have the opportunity to earn credit for some of these upper-division nursing courses by successfully passing challenge exams. The MSN portion of the degree will range from 40-46 credits. Only the concentrations in Nurse Educator, Health Systems Management with a Business Minor, and FNP are 100% online; the other options are hybrid or on-campus.
The University of Texas at Arlington
College of Nursing and Health Innovation
Arlington, Texas
Online RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
Online RN to MSN - Nurse Administrator
Offered Online
Online RN to MSN - Nurse Educator
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
UTA is a giant public research university in Texas. In fact, the College of Nursing and Health Innovation bills itself as the largest public college of nursing in the country, producing more RNs than any other university in Texas. The College is also an NLN Center of Excellence with a number of active research laboratories and a reputation for high standards (e.g. average 3.5 GPA for candidates admitted to the online graduate programs). If you're interested in employment options in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, employers will know the name! Because of its size, you'll find plenty of independent graduate reviews of UTA Nursing on the web. Some folks praise the flexibility of the schedule for working professionals, the reasonable assignments, and the experienced faculty. Others have said that the graduate programs require a lot of self-direction and lack a community atmosphere. Big can mean a little more impersonal, so feel free to contact alumni for their opinions.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
UTA's online offering is designed for RNs with a diploma or associate's degree in nursing who would like to earn the BSN on the way toward the master's. Applicants should have an active and unencumbered RN license, 2 years of related experience as an RN, and 3.0 GPA on all completed courses. There's no expiration on previously earned credits. Students who choose the RN to MSN in the Nurse Educator or Administration concentrations will tackle 68-71 credits: 9 courses of RN to BSN courses, including a capstone course, and MSN courses (plus any remaining undergraduate prerequisites). The entire program can be completed in as few as 36 months. FNP candidates take the same undergraduate courses, but they have more credits at the MSN level. That means the entire RN to MSN FNP program is 75 credit hours and takes around 42 months to complete. Students are expected to find their own clinical sites and preceptors. Check out the UTA Online FAQs for more details.
The University of Texas at Austin
School of Nursing
Austin, Texas
Nursing School Overview
UT is the colossus in our list - a Public Ivy with an international reputation. As the flagship campus of the UT System, it's a major center for nursing education and scholarship in Texas. The School of Nursing invariably earns a top 25 spot in U.S. News & World Report rankings of Best Nursing Schools and it attracts more than $20 million in extramural funding. The school is heaving with great research centers & labs, including one that exists to serve underserved populations, and it operates two wellness centers that provide primary healthcare services to children and families. Faculty are extremely experienced - the school has 100+ Fellows in the American Academy of Nursing - and more than a 1/4 of those teachers are minorities. The only real kicker is the price. UT is extremely expensive, even for Texas residents. Modest nursing scholarships are available, but fellowships & assistantships are also offered through the Office of Graduate Studies. In addition, full-time students who are in Nurse Practitioner programs are eligible to receive a monthly advanced traineeship stipend of about $120-$150 for up to 36 months.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
UT is quite willing to consider non-BSN candidates for MSN. To be considered, RNs must have an associate's degree or diploma in nursing AND a non-nursing baccalaureate with a minimum 3.0 GPA in upper-division work and any graduate courses. UT also wants to look at GRE scores (no exceptions!), 3 recommendations, a statement of purpose, a resume, and a current Texas RN license or a license from a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Applicants to the FNP must have 2 years of full-time RN experience; PNP candidates must have at least 1 year. Everyone has to complete a prerequisite in statistics, but we didn't see any special requirements for bridge coursework. Check with the program coordinator to be sure you have all the prerequisites. The total number of credits for the MSN will depend on the specialty (LeaDS is the shortest). If you study on a full-time basis, you may be able to complete this campus-based program in 1.5-2 years. But you can also choose a part-time schedule.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Cizik School of Nursing
Houston, Texas
Online RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
Online RN to MSN in Nursing Leadership
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
UTHealth is a heavy hitter. It's the most comprehensive academic health center in the UT System and the Gulf Coast Region. It's linked to teaching hospitals such as Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. And it's located in the Texas Medical Center - the largest medical center in the world. The Cizik School of Nursing has a great reputation, with a top 30 ranking for Best Nursing Schools from U.S. News & World Report and its own dedicated Center for Nursing Research. Plus it makes an effort to incorporate on-the-ground teaching. During campus visits, FNP students have the chance to work in labs and simulations. On top of all these benefits, UTHealth is relatively affordable (just watch out for the fees) and scholarship fundsare available. If you would like to view outside opinions, you'll find plenty of independent graduate reviews on the web. In particular, we've seen compliments about the challenging coursework, rigorous teaching, and exposure to state-of-the-art medical advancements and technologies.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
UTHealth's hybrid program is open to RNs with an associate degree in nursing from an accredited program. The program is an intriguing mixture of online and on-campus courses; students visit campus 2-4 times per semester. All candidates should have completed 60 credit hours of nursing prerequisites - including 8 hours of science prerequisites with a minimum 3.0 GPA - prior to the start of the program. For the Nursing Leadership concentration, UTHealth wants to see 1 year of professional RN experience. For the FNP concentration, UTHealth wants to see 3 academic/professional references, a resume, and 1 year of clinical experience as an RN. It also reserves the right to require an interview from qualified applicants. Students who are accepted into the 46-credit RN to MSN Nursing Leadership track can study full-time (6 semesters) or part-time (11 semesters). The 54-credit RN to MSN FNP is cohort-based, with a maximum of 10 students, and can only be taken full-time (6-7 semesters). As UTHealth points out, there is no clear point in which you will have only completed the BSN requirements. If you have to withdraw from the program, but still wish to complete your BSN, you will need to apply for RN-BSN admission.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
School of Nursing
Brownsville, Texas
Transition to Graduate Nursing - MSN - Nursing Education
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
UTRGV doesn't always get as much attention as UT or UTA, but it's still a proud member of the UT System, with a geographic position that makes it one of the largest Hispanic-serving institutions in the nation. When you examine the School of Nursing, you'll notice it has a lot of Hispanic faculty members, many of whom hold Ph.D. or terminal degrees. In recent years, ~75% of folks in the online nursing graduate programs have been minority students. If you're looking for financial assistance, UTRGV offers a Dean's New Graduate Student Scholarship for new master's students and 200+ other graduate scholarships. Current UTRGV full-time employees can also take advantage of the Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP). UTRGV was formed by a merger of UT Brownsville and UT - Pan American, so you may find independent reviews of the graduate nursing programs listed under UT Brownsville. The older program got good marks for the helpfulness and availability of faculty.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
UTRGV's short & streamlined online program is aimed at RNs who have an ADN and a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on undergraduate coursework, including an undergraduate statistics course, and hold an unencumbered RN license in their state of residence. In addition to academic transcripts, you'll also be expected to submit a short essay about your goals. Once you've been accepted, you'll only be required to complete a 100% online, 6-credit hour course in Transition to Graduate Nursing. After that, you can proceed to the 36-credit MSN. The master's portion is made up of 7-week courses and takes 1-2 years to complete (most students take 2 years to graduate). We especially like the fact that both concentrations include a capstone requirement - a final project that's intended to address a challenge in the student's clinical or functional area, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of a solution.
University of the Incarnate Word
School of Nursing & Health Professions
San Antonio, Texas
Nursing School Overview
UIW is one of the few private schools in our list. It's a Catholic university in San Antonio with a history of faith-based care in the region. For example, the School of Nursing and Health Professions often organizes student service projects, regional health fairs and free clinics, service trips abroad, and other mission-driven initiatives for its faculty and students. It also works closely with other health schools (e.g. Feik School of Pharmacy) on initiatives like school-based vaccination clinics. Graduate reviewers frequently mention how they loved the small class sizes, the close friendships, and accessibility to professors. The one downside is the cost. Because it's a private school, per credit tuition rates at UIW are relatively high, even for in-state residents.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
UIW's hybrid program is designed for RNs who have an associate degree in nursing from an accredited program. Candidates should have an unencumbered license to practice nursing in the State of Texas or one of the compact states recognized by the State of Texas, a minimum 3.0 GPA on undergraduate coursework, and 60 credits of associate or baccalaureate-level coursework. UIW also wants to see 3 satisfactory references, a resume, and a personal statement. 1 year of experience as an RN is preferred, but not required. In addition, individual consideration will be given to those applicants who do not entirely meet specific requirements. The program of study for students in the RN-MSN track consists of a minimum of 100 credit hours. Once accepted, students are placed in the RN-BSN program at the School of Professional Studies. In the third term of the RN-BSN program, students can declare their interest in applying to the RN-MSN track and take 5 courses as "bridge" courses. The MSN in Leadership is 31 credits and consists of 10 courses, with 312 clinical practicum/residency hours. BSN courses are online, but MSN courses are a combination of online classes and on-ground classes that meet every first and third week of the month. The program can be completed on a full-time basis.
West Texas A & M University
Department of Nursing
Canyon, Texas
Accelerated RN to MSN - Comprehensive MSN
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
WTAMU is a public university in Canyon, a small city near Amarillo. The Department of Nursing in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is not particularly large, but it has an important role to play in the community. It's a founding member of SimCentral in Amarillo, it organizes a biannual Inner City Health Fair for medically underserved patients, and it runs an employee health clinic for WTAMU staff and employees. In the online MSN program, you might expect to see around 6 faculty and 21 students. WTAMU states that it has a 92% graduation rate for this program after four years. In recent years, the Department has also been offering a special scholarship for RN-BSN courses, a discount that applies to RN-BSN/MSN pathway students and out-of-state residents. Check the program website to see if it's still available.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
WTAMU's program is designed to help RNs who hold an accredited ADN or nursing diploma to earn the BSN and the MSN. Candidates must have an active, unencumbered license as a RN with the state in which they practice and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Initially, successful applicants are admitted into the RN to BSN program. After transferring their previous credits and completing a number of required nursing courses, students are eligible to apply for the MSN. It's called an accelerated program because 3 courses in the BSN are waived. This reduces the number of required nursing major courses in the undergraduate curriculum from 30 credits to 21 credits. The Comprehensive MSN is 39-40 credit hours, with specialties in Nursing Administration/Management and Nursing Education. It's also completely online. However, the 46-credit FNP is designed to be hybrid, with clinical experiences in Texas. Most students take around 1 year for the undergraduate portion (you can opt for a longer completion rate) and 2.5 years for the online MSN.
