The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master's degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Colorado Christian University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Nursing Master's Degree, MSN
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a nursing graduate degree with two specialty tracks: Nursing Education and Clinical Care Management in Adult and Geriatrics. This MSN program is designed utilizing national accreditation standards in preparation for national certification in each emphasis.
Designed for nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing who are ready to take on greater leadership roles in health care and education, the MSN at CCU is an online nursing degree program. Our vision is to empower nurses to practice nursing as ministry and prepare them to be competent, compassionate, moral nurse leaders who excel as servants, shepherds, stewards, and scholars who impact the profession and the world.
- 39 credit hours (24 in core)
- Required Specialty Track (choose one): Nursing Education or Clinical Care Management in Adult and Geriatrics
- Theory courses are 100% online and clinical hours are completed in the student's geographic area of residence.
- Courses are taken one at a time and are typically completed in five-week and ten-week blocks
- Designed for busy adult learners; complete in as little as 21 months of consecutive coursework, even with a full-time job
- Students can transfer up to 9 graduate-level credit hours
- Clinical practicum experiences provide integration of nursing theory, practice and research
- Download the MSN Student Handbook to learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing
- Program Brochure
- Associate Degrees: Healthcare Administration, A.S.
- Bachelor's Degrees: Healthcare Administration, B.S., Nursing, BSN, RN to BSN Degree Completion, RN-BSN
- Doctoral Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP
- Certificates: Healthcare Administration Certificate
Master of Science in Nursing Specialty Tracks
To help address the growing demand for expert nurses with a master's degree, CCU's online master's degree in nursing offers nursing students two tracks for specialization. Both emphasize the core foundations of advanced nursing practice and Christian principles.
Clinical Care Management in Adult and Geriatrics — This track prepares nurses to work in diverse settings as a clinician, consultant, and coordinator of health care for adult and geriatric populations, emphasizing clinical prevention and improved health outcomes for patients with acute and chronic diseases. The program emphasizes the core foundations of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Adult and Geriatrics, which is an advanced practice nurse (APRN) specialty role. Students build expertise in CNS competencies, regulatory requirements, and Christian principles as a moral leader and change agent for various adult populations. Clinical practicum experiences are distributed over five courses for a total of 500 clinical hours.
Nursing Education — This track prepares nurses to work as nurse educators in diverse settings such as colleges and universities, hospitals, long-term care, or home health and public health. The program emphasizes faith and learning while integrating holistic teaching methods, instructional design, Christian principles, teaching/learning principles, staff development strategies, student/nurse assessment, innovative teaching strategies, and program evaluation. The nursing graduate will be an innovative change agent while teaching within academic or health care settings with experience in using best practices in teaching. Clinical practicum experiences are distributed over four courses for a total of 245 clinical hours, 90 of which are direct patient care hours.
Benefits of the MSN Nursing program at CCU
- Students have opportunities throughout the coursework to develop specialized nursing competency with a biblical worldview perspective.
- This nationally accredited MSN program utilizes a variety of accreditation standards to help prepare graduates for national certification.
- CCU coursework integrates faith, learning, and living with emphasis on biblical principles, moral leadership, and advanced nursing roles.
- The online format enables nurses to earn their Master of Science in Nursing online, right in their home community, while collaborating with other nurses throughout the country.
Questions About CCU's Master's Degree in Nursing
Are you interested in earning your online master's degree in Nursing? Find answers to frequently asked questions about our nationally accredited MSN program below.
How many credits are in each speacialty track?
The MSN has a core of 24 credits and 15 additional credits in each nursing track for a total of 39 credits.
What can I do with an MSN that specializes in Nursing Education?
With the Nursing Education track, you become qualified to teach nursing within college and university programs and gain expertise in staff development within hospital and healthcare systems. The nursing education track focuses on teaching strategies for theory, laboratory and clinical settings. Best practice for in-seat and online teaching, curriculum development and measurement of student learning outcomes will provide you with a strong foundation for both academic and staff development education. Students can choose to specialize in either academic or professional staff development. This track requires 245 hours of clinical practicum experience with a preceptor.
What can I do with an MSN that specializes in Clinical Care Management for Adults and Geriatrics?
This is an Advanced Practice RN (APRN) role in many states and can lead to being licensed as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). You may obtain prescriptive authority in this role. The primary role is to address the acute and chronic needs of a population of adult and geriatric clients. This health specialist deals with adults and older adults, and is knowledgeable in health promotion, illness prevention, and offering appropriate care or referrals. This APRN role is a leadership position for populations that need care coordination to stay healthy, age in place, collaborate care with their primary provider, bridge communication failures, and prevent inappropriate re-admissions. This track requires 500 hours of clinical practicum experience with a preceptor.
Will I be eligible for specialty certification once I have completed this MSN program?
Yes. In the Nursing Education track, you could sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam with the National League of Nursing (NLN) after meeting the experience requirements. In addition, this group can sit for the Nursing Professional Development exam after meeting their work experience requirements. Those in the Clinical Care Management track can be certified as an Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist by the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC). However, each credentialing agency makes decisions regarding programs and experience requirements needed to apply and test for specialty certification.
Does this program lead to the doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) degree?
No. It is a master's degree only. The courses in the MSN degree include clinical hours which allow students to transition into a DNP program as they progress in their careers. One of the benefits of having an MSN degree prior to the DNP is that an MSN is required to teach in most states. Learn more about CCU's DNP program.
Can I drop out of classes for a period of time and then come back into the program without having to wait for the next cohort?
Yes, if you return in less than one year. The didactic theory courses can be taken in any order and you may enter the program at different times. The only sequenced courses are the clinical and capstone courses, which are taken in sequence at the end of the program for both emphases.
Can I become a nurse practitioner (NP) in this program?
No. You can be a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in the Adult-Gerontology track. The CNS role focuses on populations and specific areas of clinical specialty. Nurse Practitioners and CNSs have different APRN scope of practice, licensures and certifications. However, this program is beneficial for those who may wish to later become an NP.
Do I need to live in Colorado to be in this program?
CCU's MSN is an online program available wherever you have internet access, so you do not need to live in Colorado. Due to state regulations, we cannot accept students who live in certain states.
Is the MSN program accredited?
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master's degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Colorado Christian University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Do I need to be a Christian to be in this program?
There is no spiritual background requirement for students in this program. We do expect students to examine a biblically-based Christian worldview and explore the attributes that this brings to your life and your nursing practice. Our vision is to empower nurses to practice nursing as ministry.
How long will it take me to complete my MSN taking one course at a time?
You can take 9 credits every semester (fall, spring, and summer) for a total of 27 credits in Year 1. With this plan you could finish in approximately 21 months. The program offers five-week theory courses (3 credits each) and 10-week clinical courses in Year 2 for a total of 39 MSN program credits. Breaks throughout the year provide you with opportunity to vacation, relax or “catch up” during your busy schedule. This program is designed with adult learning principles to support students who are working adults.
If I am an RN wanting my BSN and MSN, can I go straight through to get both degrees?
Yes. CCU provides RNs with the opportunity to substitute three graduate courses (nine credits) while completing the BSN degree, giving you a head start on the MSN degree. Students must apply to the graduate program and meet admission requirements to continue on for the MSN degree. Your CCU Student Service Advisor (SSA) can assist you with this process.
Learn More
MSN applicants or prospective students interested in more information about our online MSN program, admissions requirements, financial aid, and other online program options, please fill out the form on this page or contact a CCU Online enrollment counselor at 303-963-3311.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Colorado Christian University offers several academic programs which lead to professional licensure in the state of Colorado and, in some programs, prepare students for a national exam. All students should be aware that states vary in their educational and professional requirements depending on the profession. Some states require specific educational requirements, clinical requirements, accreditation requirements, or exam requirements. See professional licensure disclosures for details.
State Exclusions for Online Students
Colorado Christian University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to be in compliance with state laws regarding where we can offer distance and/or online education. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University offers courses to online students in all states with some exceptions for specific academic programs.