Eastern's innovative Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees to earn the following credentials and degrees within Eastern’s one comprehensive program:
- RN license (obtained externally through the state)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Graduates will be prepared to work within the healthcare system in a variety of settings including higher education, healthcare organizations, and throughout the global nursing community. Eastern also offers a Certification in School Nursing that students can pursue if they are interested.
Program Details:
- Location/Delivery: Hybrid
- On-Campus for First 4 semesters: Students will spend 2 days on campus per week, blended with clinical activity and online learning.
- 100% Online for Final 2 Semesters: Students will complete their MSN 100% online.
- Length: 2 years (6 semesters; 75 total credits. See above for delivery.)
- Enrolling New Students: January and August
- Cost & Aid:
- Tuition for 2025-26: View 25-26 Tuition & Fees
- $450/credit tuition +$30/credit program fee
- Additional $450/credit fee for on-campus classes only (47 total credits). Covers ATI® resources and clinical and lab costs. Does not apply to online classes.
- Tuition for 2025-26: View 25-26 Tuition & Fees
- Financial Aid: Discover the military benefits and federal financial aid options that may be available to you.
Distinctives
- Obtain an graduate nursing degree: Allows non-nurse undergraduates to complete the licensure for nursing and obtain a graduate degree in a paced format.
- Expert professors, small classes: Eastern’s curriculum is taught by experienced professionals who are current in the nursing field’s latest developments. Students receive individual attention through small class sizes and easy access to professors through email and the course management platform (Brightspace). Clinical experiences provide for direct faculty-student interactions with 1:8 ratios.
- Theory meets clinical: Theory courses are merged with comprehensive clinical experiences in a variety of inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Supportive cohort: The program is designed in a cohort format which provides students with a supportive environment throughout the duration of the program and beyond.
- Ethically sound: Formed from a Christian worldview, the Nursing program instills the values of compassion, justice, ethical behavior, and holistic care critical to nursing.
- Increased employment opportunity: MSN graduates strengthen their workplace opportunities and report being able to move into enhanced employment opportunities with an MSN degree.
Careers
The Direct Entry MSN provides graduates with many options for employment including unit-based staff nursing, unit charge nurse, community nursing, occupational health nursing, clinical educator, and clinical adjunct for nursing programs.
PA State Board of Nursing Approvals
The MSN Direct-Entry program is currently moving through the standard approval process with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. We anticipate that it will be approved soon and will update this webpage when the approvals are complete. In the meantime, students can continue to move through the application process.