Program Details
BSN Option for RN to MSN
BSN Option for RN to MSNShenandoah University
Graduates in the Nurse-Midwifery, Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner roles who have completed the credit requirements are eligible to take the appropriate national certification exams. Certain statesÕ laws (e.g., West Virginia and Maryland) require certified nurse practitioners to have a bachelorÕs degree or BSN in order to obtain prescriptive authority as a nurse practitioner; therefore, students who anticipate practicing in those states should consider earning the BSN from Shenandoah University. Students in the RN to MSN degree program who plan to earn a BSN must meet the following criteria: Earned at least 40 credits of required prerequisites, of which at least 30 credits must be general education (see list below) Earned at least 74 nursing course credits (include 14 credits of Bridge courses* and maximum of 16 credits of selected graduate courses**). Students may receive transfer credit for up to 45 credits completed in their previous nursing program. Earned a total of 121 credits (If additional courses are needed to complete the 121 required credits, students may take or transfer in additional general education or undergraduate nursing electives). Students may apply for the BSN option any time during the RN-MSN course of study. The BSN degree will be awarded upon completion of the MSN curriculum.
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Shenandoah University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Is This Degree Right For Me? | |
What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses |
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Are there other program requirements beyond specific courses? | |
Do More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts and Science will guarantee completion of general education requirements. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts and Science prior to high school graduation will guarantee completion of general education requirements with the exception that the First Year Seminar (3 credits) must be completed upon enrollment to SU. |
Credit for Prior Learning | |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Shenandoah offers an 11:1 student to faculty ratio, experiential learning opportunities, and integrative technology to prepare graduates for a successful career. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Complete an Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, or Associate or Arts and Science with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level |
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Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Lpn To Rn Bridge | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences in Pre-BSN | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
Blue Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Online (RN to BSN) Completion Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Traditional (Pre-licensure) Baccalaureate Completion Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
George Mason University | Nursing, BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing: Advanced Placement Option for Licensed Practical Nurses | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing - Hybrid Distance Education | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Longwood University | Nursing BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Longwood University | Nursing: RN to BSN Degree Completion BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Radford University | BSN in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Old Dominion University | Nursing-BSN | Bachelor | BS in Nursing | 4-Year |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Physical Therapy | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN to BSN | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Major in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
University of Mary Washington | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Nursing | 4-Year |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Nursing, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
Bluefield University | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Piedmont Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Marymount University | Nursing (BSN) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4-Year |
Germanna Community College | Nursing Associate of Applied Science Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Germanna Community College | LPN To RN - Nursing Associate of Applied Science Degree | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Germanna Community College | General Studies - Specialization Pre-BSN Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
Northern Virginia Community College | Nursing, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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29-1141.01 | Acute Care Nurses | Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.02 | Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses | Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.04 | Clinical Nurse Specialists | Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-1141.03 | Critical Care Nurses | Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
25-1072.00 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
29-1141.00 | Registered Nurses | Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |