No, you don’t need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to begin working towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Current licensed registered nurses who hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing may apply for our BSN to DNP program in a specialization of their choosing and begin working toward a DNP right away – without having to earn an MSN first.

There are a few considerations to keep in mind:

1. If your primary goal is to pursue a specialization such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), earning a DNP is not currently required. You can choose an MSN-FNP program and earn the master’s degree education you need to become an FNP.
2. It takes more time to complete a BSN to DNP curriculum compared to an MSN alternative. In the case of FNP, the MSN-FNP program takes 20 months compared to 32 months in the BSN to DNP-FNP program.¹
3. If your primary goal is to earn the terminal degree in nursing and reach the top of the field, a BSN to DNP program offers less time and lower cost than earning an MSN and DNP separately. Once again using the case of FNP, a BSN to DNP-FNP program takes less time (32 months) than earning an MSN-FNP and DNP separately (20 months each = 40 total months).

Contact our admissions team and we can help you determine what degree pathway is right for your lifestyle and overall career goals.

1. All program length estimates reflect average time to complete for full-time students and may vary. We strive to help you learn at a pace that’s right for you.

There are general education courses in math you may need to complete depending on your prior education.

However, mathematics is not a significant part of a career in cybersecurity, and our core cybersecurity curriculum does not include any math courses.

We offer online associate, bachelor's, and master's degree pathways for those without nursing experience looking to become an RN. Eligibility varies by state of residence.

Learn more about our online nursing programs designed for non-nurses.