The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 35% job growth from 2024 to 2034 for the advanced-practice roles an MSN opens, including nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse-midwives, with a combined median wage of $132,050 in May 2024. That is far above the 5% growth projected for RNs overall, whose median wage was $93,600.
One detail to plan around: Michigan has enacted Nurse Licensure Compact legislation but has not yet implemented it (per NCSBN, as of 2026), so a Michigan RN license does not yet carry multistate privileges.
Accredited Michigan MSN Programs
South University offers an MSN nurse practitioner program focused on critical nursing, with an Adult Health and Family concentration that few schools in the state provide.
- Campus: Novi, MI
- Type: Private, for-profit
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $458 per credit hour
- Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
- Online Availability: Yes
- Degree Requirements: BSN, RN license, 3.0 minimum GPA, transcripts, nursing research course, three letters of reference, goal statement, resume
- Programs: MSN Nurse Practitioner (Adult Health and Family)
Andrews University trains nurse educators, a program built in response to the national shortage of nursing faculty. The curriculum reflects the school's Seventh-day Adventist affiliation.
- Campus: Berrien Springs, MI
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $993 per credit
- Minimum Time Commitment: 38 credits
- Online Availability: No
- Degree Requirements: BSN, English proficiency, RN license, statement of purpose, resume, two letters of recommendation, GRE, transcripts
- Programs: MSN Nursing Education
Eastern Michigan University focuses its MSN on adult-gerontology nursing, preparing educators and leaders for primary care, hospitals, clinics, community agencies, and home health. The school encourages graduates to continue to a doctoral program.
- Campus: Ypsilanti, MI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $480.75 per credit hour for residents; $947.70 for non-residents
- Minimum Time Commitment: 40 to 49 credits
- Online Availability: No
- Degree Requirements: BSN, RN license, TOEFL if applicable, two letters of reference, essay, personal statement, statistics course, health assessment
- Programs: MSN Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner
Ferris State University offers three MSN concentrations aimed at the state's shortage of nurse educators and leaders, with a focus on administration and informatics.
- Campus: Big Rapids, MI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Tuition: $522 per online credit hour; $512 per classroom credit hour
- Minimum Time Commitment: 37 credits
- Online Availability: Some
- Degree Requirements: Transcripts, resume, three letters of recommendation, essay
- Programs: MSN Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Nursing Informatics
Grand Valley State University trains leaders to run healthcare micro-systems such as patient care units while applying evidence-based practice. The program emphasizes coordinating care for positive patient outcomes while controlling cost.
- Campus: Grand Rapids, MI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $614 per credit hour for residents; $804 for non-residents
- Minimum Time Commitment: 41 credits
- Online Availability: Yes, hybrid
- Degree Requirements: Transcripts, resume, GRE, personal statement, essay, interview, TOEFL if applicable, RN license, criminal background check, health assessment
- Programs: MSN
Saginaw Valley State University builds its MSN on students' undergraduate work and offers several concentrations, including a dual educator/administrator track, preparing nurses for clinical and academic settings.
- Campus: University Center, MI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $497.60 per credit hour for residents; $948.95 for non-residents
- Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
- Online Availability: Yes, hybrid
- Programs: MSN Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Dual Nurse Educator/Administrator
Michigan State University College of Nursing prepares advanced practice nurses across several concentrations, training primary care leaders to design, run, and evaluate systems for continuity of care with a focus on patient safety and effectiveness.
- Campus: East Lansing, MI
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: CCNE
- Tuition: $646 per credit hour for residents; $1,269 for non-residents
- Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
- Online Availability: No
- Degree Requirements: Resume, BSN, RN license, 3.0 minimum GPA, one year of work experience, statistics course, essay, three letters of recommendation, interview, TOEFL if applicable
- Programs: MSN Nurse Practitioner (Adult/Gerontology and Family), MSN CNS Educator, MSN Nurse Anesthesia
How MSN Programs Work
MSN programs prepare RNs for work beyond the RN scope, across clinical and non-clinical specialties. The curriculum usually runs 36-60 credits across a nursing core, a concentration, and clinical experience.
You can pursue a generalist track or a clinical specialization such as nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse-midwife. Non-clinical tracks include nursing administration and nursing informatics.
Programs accommodate working RNs with full-time or part-time enrollment and on-campus, hybrid, or fully online delivery. Full-time students typically finish in 20-24 months; part-time takes longer.
Applying to MSN Programs in Michigan
Review each program's requirements before you apply. Most Michigan programs require an undergraduate nursing degree, though some accept RNs with a bachelor's in another field. Nurses with an ADN can use an RN-to-MSN bridge to fast-track the degree.
Most programs want a minimum 3.0 GPA, though some waive a GPA floor except for applicants seeking to skip the GRE or MAT.
- Admission Materials: Official transcripts, GRE or GMAT scores (often optional), current unrestricted RN license, personal statement or essay, CV or resume, two to three letters of recommendation
- GPA Requirement: Minimum 2.7-3.0 GPA
- Other Requirements: One to two years of clinical experience may be required, plus prerequisite science and math coursework
Why MSN Program Accreditation Matters
Accreditation means a school has passed a rigorous peer review confirming it meets national standards. U.S. nursing programs hold accreditation from one of three agencies:
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA)
Accreditation is required for licensure, often required by employers, and needed to qualify for financial aid and transfer credits. Specialties such as nurse anesthesia carry additional accreditation, in that case from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs. Every program ranked here is accredited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an MSN worth it in Michigan? For many RNs, yes. An MSN gives you the education and clinical hours needed for specialization, leadership, and higher-paying roles, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 35% growth from 2024 to 2034 for advanced-practice nursing, far above the 5% projected for RNs.
How long does an MSN take? Full-time students can finish in about 20-24 months, depending on the program and concentration. Part-time tracks, common among working nurses, run longer.
Do I need a BSN to apply? Most Michigan MSN programs require a BSN and an unrestricted RN license. RNs who hold an associate degree can use an RN-to-MSN bridge, and a few programs accept a bachelor's in another field.
Should I worry about the MSN-to-DNP shift? There is ongoing discussion about moving some advanced-practice roles toward a DNP requirement, but master's-prepared nurses remain in demand and will for the foreseeable future. Many programs let you continue from MSN to DNP later.
Does a Michigan RN license work in other states? Not yet through the compact. Michigan has enacted Nurse Licensure Compact legislation but has not implemented it (per NCSBN, as of 2026), so you would still need licensure by endorsement to practice in another state.
What accreditation should a Michigan MSN program have? Look for CCNE or ACEN accreditation. It is required for licensure and financial aid, and nurse anesthesia programs carry additional accreditation from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs.