Nursing, M.S.

If you are already a registered nurse, the Saint Louis University's Master of Science in Nursing degree can train you to become a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse leader, or a specialist in infectious disease. The M.S.N. degree from SLU's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing prepares you to meet the health care needs of our nation. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our program as a top program in its Best Graduate Programs survey. 

Concentrations

Nurse Practitioner Concentration

In one of our nurse practitioner concentrations, you will prepare to become an advanced practice registered nurse, or APRN, who can assess, diagnose, treat and educate. We offer nurse practitioner specialties in adult-gerontological acute care, family, and psychiatric mental health. The nurse practitioner degree program at SLU is online, offering the flexibility and support that working RNs require and can be specialized to your interest. Once accepted into this program, our students meet with the MSN director to create an individualized full- or part-time curriculum plan suitable for their personal and professional schedules. Our M.S. in nursing, nurse practitioner programs are highly respected across academic and professional nursing institutions. 

Clinical Nurse Leader Concentration

The clinical nurse leader concentration prepares nurses for leadership roles in a variety of health care settings, focusing on quality improvement, clinical coordination and accountability for health outcomes as a provider and manager of care. The clinical nurse leader program is a nonadvanced practice option that will prepare you to function as a master's prepared clinical nurse leader. The program is offered online in a part-time format and may be completed in as few as five semesters.  

Infectious Disease Concentration

The infectious disease concentration is an on-site program designed for registered nurses seeking advanced expertise in infectious disease care. This program is a nonadvanced practice option that prepares graduates to manage complex infectious diseases across the lifespan and within diverse populations, with emphasis on prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of emerging and re-emerging infections. The program integrates key concepts related to public health, antimicrobial stewardship, global health, and health equity. Graduates are well prepared to pursue roles in clinical practice, public health, policy, research, and education. 

Teaching Option

If you plan to teach, you can take three additional courses focusing on theory and practicum experience in nursing education. If you’d like to also apply for the National League for Nursing Nurse Educator certificate, you will take an additional three-credit education course. Post-master's certificate programs are available in all specialty areas.

Curriculum Overview

The nurse practitioner programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and offer:

  • Full- and part-time curriculum plans
  • Many specialty areas and role options
  • Options to emphasize research in any specialty area
  • Responsive faculty who are nationally recognized for teaching excellence, nursing leadership, scholarly research and student mentorship
  • Faculty advisors who are individually assigned to mentor each student throughout the program
  • State-of-the-art teaching facilities, including an online library and writing center resources
  • Location on a major health sciences campus

SLU offers four nurse practitioner concentrations in the Master of Science in Nursing program that are completely online.1

Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

If you choose the adult-gerontological acute care nurse practitioner program, you will learn to use complex monitoring and invasive therapies, high-intensity interventions and continuous vigilance within the range of high-acuity care to help meet the specialized physiological and psychological needs of adults of all ages, including the frail elderly.

Adult-gerontological acute care nurse practitioners work in emergency departments, tertiary care settings, intensive care units, trauma centers and specialty medicine areas treating patients with acute, critical and chronic illnesses and those with disabilities or injuries. Graduates are eligible for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and/or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. 

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

The family nurse practitioner program prepares you to provide primary health care to patients of all ages. You will help prevent disease, assess and manage acute and chronic health problems, and consult and refer patients within the health care system. The family nurse practitioner program emphasizes quality relationships with patients, families and communities, and the education and coordination of services aimed at specific health outcomes.

Family nurse practitioners, also known as FNPs, work in various settings and are well-suited to rural populations where specialty care may not always be available. Graduates are eligible for national certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center and/or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

If you pursue the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program, you will work with children, adolescents and adults of all ages with acute and/or complex mental health needs, or psychiatric diagnoses. The psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program encourages evidence-based, culturally sensitive, recovery-oriented and holistic care.

You will be prepared to apply the nursing process and medical/medication management to promote optimal mental health while engaging in ongoing collaboration with clients, their families, significant others and the interprofessional team. Graduates are eligible for national certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program.

1

One campus visit is required. The visit occurs during the first clinical management course. The visit is to evaluate your progress and to teach skills not acquired through online learning, such as suturing and office procedures.

Careers

According to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Jobs ranking, nurse practitioners earned a median salary of $129,210 in 2023, with the top 25% earning more than $149,500 and the lowest-paid 25% around $109,940. NPs once again ranked as the No. 1 job in America for 2026, reflecting strong demand and robust compensation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that NP employment will grow about 35% from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 128,400 new positions opening over that period — far exceeding the average for all occupations.

In addition, upon completion of the program, graduates from SLU's clinical nurse leader program will be eligible to sit for the clinical nurse leader exam offered by American Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Nurse Certification.

Tuition

Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,450

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Financing for this program may be available through grants, scholarships, loans (federal and private) and institutional financing plans. For price estimates, please review the SLU cost calculator.

The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing offers scholarship and graduate research assistantship opportunities to eligible graduate students. Additionally, most nursing students will participate in a tuition assistance program provided through their employer.

For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

The Saint Louis University Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certificate program at Saint Louis University's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 665 K Street N.W., Suite 750, Washington, D.C., 20001. The commission's phone number is 202-887-6791.

Accreditation Note: Saint Louis University is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for the a). MSN PCPNP b). MSN FNP; c). DNP FNP; d). post master’s certificate FNP programs, e) MSN PMHNP, f) BSN-DNP PMHNP, g) post master’s certificate PMHNP, and h) post master’s DNP PMHNP.

Licensure Disclosure

For information about whether this program meets any state board of nursing's educational requirements for eligibility to take a state licensure exam, please see our Professional Licensure Disclosure page.

1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice: Evaluates nursing’s distinct and shared disciplinary perspectives and synthesizes theoretical and empirical knowledge from the humanities and natural, social, behavioral, and nursing sciences to support advanced clinical judgment and practice innovation.

2. Person-Centered Care: Leads nursing care through the relational lens, which fosters caring relationships, mutuality, active participation, and individual empowerment in the delivery and communication of compassionate person-centered nursing care through cura personalis.

3. Population Health: Directs diverse stakeholders in advancing effective partnerships, health policy, and the improvement of equitable population health outcomes related to the social determinants of health.

4. Scholarship for Nursing Discipline: Integrates, synthesizes, and facilitates best evidence and client values into clinical decision-making.

5. Quality and Safety: Optimizes quality of care while minimizing risk of harm to clients and providers through system effectiveness and individual performance.

6. Interprofessional Partnership: Coordinates across professions with care team members, clients, families, communities, and other stakeholders to optimize care, enhance the health care experience and strengthen outcomes.

7. Systems-Based Practice: Strategically integrates resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations within complex health care systems to address social and structural determinants of health.

8. Informatics and Health Care Technologies: Implements information processes and technologies to manage and improve the delivery of safe, high quality, and efficient health care services.

9. Professionalism: Models a sustainable professional nursing identity, accountability, perspective, collaborative disposition, and ethical principles that reflect nursing’s characteristics and values.

10. Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development: Engages in activities and self-reflection through Ignatian pedagogy which fosters personal health, resilience, and well-being while supporting the acquisition of nursing expertise, lifelong learning, and the leadership continuum.

Admission Requirements

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing adheres to the principles of a holistic admission process in which selection criteria are broad-based and linked to our University’s and school’s mission and goals. While we do consider academic metrics, we also look at applicant experiences, attributes, potential for success, and how applicants may contribute to the school’s learning environment and to the profession.

SLU accepts applications to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing-Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP) programs from students living in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas*, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington**, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Depending on the state, clinical fees may be required. 

*

Saint Louis University is approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing to accept students into the PMC and BSN-DNP programs.

**

Saint Louis University is approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing to conduct practice experiences in the state of Washington for the a). MSN PCPNP, b). MSN FNP, c). DNP FNP, d). post-master’s certificate FNP programs, e) MSN PMHNP, f) BSN-DNP PMHNP, g) post-master’s certificate PMHNP and h) post-master’s DNP PMHNP.

Applicant Criteria

  • A baccalaureate degree in nursing from a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
  • A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • An unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done. You must have a registered nurse license at the time of application.
  • Current CPR certification from the American Heart Association and a negative drug screening are required after acceptance into the M.S.N. program.
  • Completion of a beginning-level health assessment course or the equivalent thereof prior to enrollment in “Advanced Health Assessment.”

Application Requirements

Applying for the M.S. program in nursing requires careful planning to ensure that all admission requirements are met. You may experience a delay in processing if the application instructions are not followed exactly as listed.

Please follow the three steps outlined below to apply:

Step 1 - Application

Submit the application form and pay the associated fee through NursingCAS. Select Saint Louis University. Students can also apply free through the SLU application portal here

Step 2 - Transcripts

Please submit your official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended directly to NursingCAS. They will provide details when the application is initiated.

Step 3 – RN License

Attach a copy of your unencumbered registered nurse license in the state in which clinical experience will be done within the NursingCAS application.

Requirements for International Students

International students on F-1 or J-1 student visas are not eligible for admission to select concentrations in this M.S. due to the fact that the Master of Science in Nursing degree is offered completely online for the nurse practitioner and clinical nurse leader concentrations. The only concentration available for international students is the Infectious Disease concentration.

International students on H-1B visas are eligible to apply to the program and select any concentration. 

All Saint Louis University admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students applying to SLU must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • Demonstrate English language proficiency
  • Academic records must include an English translation. Unofficial copies may be accepted in some cases for initial admission review, however official copies must be received prior to enrollment. Course-by-course transcript evaluations are accepted and are required in some cases.

Students must submit financial documents to be issued an I-20 for their F-1 visa application. Proof of financial support must include:

  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University

Application Deadlines

Admissions are rolling, with the following deadlines:

  • Fall semester start: July 15
  • Spring semester start: December 15
  • Summer semester start: April 15

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed shortly after all application requirements have been submitted.

Program Requirements 

NURS 5080Advanced Pharmacology3
NURS 5110
NURS 5111
Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan I
and Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan II: Diagnostic Reasoning
3
or NURS 5115 Advanced Health Assessment for Nurses
NURS 5140Health Promotion3
NURS 5170Advanced Pathophysiology3
NURS 5200Gen Research Methods3
Concentration15-23
Students should choose a concentration below.
Total Credits30-38

Students in the Infectious Disease concentration will take NURS 5115 Advanced Health Assessment for Nurses (3 cr). All other concentrations take the NURS 5110 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan I (0,2 cr) & NURS 5111 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan II: Diagnostic Reasoning (1 cr) sequence.

Nurse Educator Option

Nurse educator courses provide an opportunity for course work and practicum experience in nursing education. After completion of the three educator courses, students can earn the Nurse Education, Post-Master's Certificate and will be eligible to take the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Clinical Nurse Leader 

NURS 5020Health Care Systems & Policy3
NURS 5025Informatics and Quality Improvement3
NURS 5045Role Acquisition for the Clinical Nurse Leader (75 Clinical Hours)3
NURS 5604Advanced Clinical Studies (225 Clinical Hours)3
NURS 5605Practicum in Clinical Leadership (225 Clinical Hours)3
Total Credits15

Non-Course Requirements

Students will complete 525 clinical hours which includes 75 hours in Role Acquisition of the Clinical Nurse Leader; 225 hours in Advanced Clinical Studies; 225 hours in Practicum in Clinical Leadership.

Infectious Disease

NURS 5000Epidemiology3
NURS 5016Infectious Disease I: Bacterial & Parasitic Pathogens2
NURS 5017Infectious Disease II: Viral Pathogens2
NURS 5018Seminar: Infection Control Surveillance & Response2
NURS 5019Seminar: Infection Control Technology2
NURS 5021Practicum in Infection Control I4
Total Credits15

Adult-gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

NURS 5040Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition1
NURS 5160Principles of Practice Management2
NURS 5900Residency0
NURS 5260Advanced Clinical Studies I: The Acute Care Setting (150 Clinical Hours)5
NURS 5270Advanced Clinical Studies II: The Acute Care Setting (150 Clinical Hours)5
NURS 5810Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) (150 Clinical Hours)2
NURS 5811Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) (300 Clinical Hours)4
Total Credits19

Family Nurse Practitioner

NURS 5040Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition1
NURS 5160Principles of Practice Management2
NURS 5900Residency0
NURS 5280Advanced Clinical Studies I: Adults and Older Adults (150 Clinical Hours)5
NURS 5290Advanced Clinical Studies II: Women and Children (150 Clinical Hours)5
NURS 5812Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (150 Clinical Hours)2
NURS 5813Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) (300 Clinical Hours)4
Total Credits19

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

NURS 5040Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition1
NURS 5160Principles of Practice Management2
NURS 5900Residency0
NURS 5400Psychotherapy in Advanced Practice Nursing3
NURS 5340Advanced Clinical Studies I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (150 Clinical Hours)4
NURS 5350Advanced Clinical Studies II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing (150 Clinical Hours)5
NURS 5430Psychopharmacology2
NURS 5814Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) (150 Clinical Hours)2
NURS 5815Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) (300 Clinical Hours)4
Total Credits23

This roadmap is just one example of a semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. There are other plans students can and do take. The plan of study for each particular student is established in consultation with each student’s academic advisor; this roadmap does not replace academic advising appointments.

Roadmap notes:

  • This Roadmap assumes full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
  • Courses/Milestones marked with an “!” are critical and must be completed in the semester listed in the Roadmap to ensure a timely graduation.
  • Course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Clinical Nurse Leader Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
SpringCredits
NURS 5045 Role Acquisition for the Clinical Nurse Leader 3
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
 Credits6
Fall
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Spring
NURS 5110 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan I 2
NURS 5111 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan II: Diagnostic Reasoning 1
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits6
Summer
NURS 5020 Health Care Systems & Policy 3
 Credits3
Fall
NURS 5025 Informatics and Quality Improvement 3
NURS 5604 Advanced Clinical Studies (225 Clinical Hours) 3
 Credits6
Year Three
Spring
NURS 5605 Practicum in Clinical Leadership (225 Clinical Hours) 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits30

Infectious Disease Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
NURS 5016 Infectious Disease I: Bacterial & Parasitic Pathogens 2
 Credits11
Spring
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5115 Advanced Health Assessment for Nurses 3
NURS 5017 Infectious Disease II: Viral Pathogens 2
NURS 5018 Seminar: Infection Control Surveillance & Response 2
 Credits10
Summer
NURS 5000 Epidemiology 3
NURS 5019 Seminar: Infection Control Technology 2
NURS 5021 Practicum in Infection Control I 4
 Credits9
 Total Credits30

Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5040 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition 1
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits7
Spring
NURS 5110 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan I 2
NURS 5111 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan II: Diagnostic Reasoning 1
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
NURS 5260 Advanced Clinical Studies I: The Acute Care Setting 5
NURS 5900 Residency 0
 Credits8
Spring
NURS 5270 Advanced Clinical Studies II: The Acute Care Setting 5
 Credits5
Summer
NURS 5810 Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) 2
 Credits2
Year Three
Fall
NURS 5160 Principles of Practice Management 2
NURS 5811 Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) 4
 Credits6
 Total Credits34

Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5040 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition 1
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits4
Spring
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
 Credits6
Year Two
Fall
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits3
Spring
NURS 5110 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan I 2
NURS 5111 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan II: Diagnostic Reasoning 1
 Credits3
Year Three
Fall
NURS 5280 Advanced Clinical Studies I: Adults and Older Adults 5
NURS 5900 Residency 0
 Credits5
Spring
NURS 5290 Advanced Clinical Studies II: Women and Children 5
 Credits5
Summer
NURS 5812 Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 2
 Credits2
Year Four
Fall
NURS 5160 Principles of Practice Management 2
NURS 5813 Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) 4
 Credits6
 Total Credits34

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
NURS 5040 Advanced Practice Nursing: Role Acquisition 1
NURS 5170 Advanced Pathophysiology 3
 Credits4
Spring
NURS 5080 Advanced Pharmacology 3
NURS 5200 Gen Research Methods 3
 Credits6
Summer
NURS 5430 Psychopharmacology 2
 Credits2
Year Two
Fall
NURS 5140 Health Promotion 3
 Credits3
Spring
NURS 5400 Psychotherapy in Advanced Practice Nursing 3
NURS 5111 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan II: Diagnostic Reasoning 1
NURS 5110 Advanced Health Assessment Across the Lifespan I 2
 Credits6
Year Three
Fall
NURS 5340 Advanced Clinical Studies I: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 4
NURS 5900 Residency 0
 Credits4
Spring
NURS 5350 Advanced Clinical Studies II: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing 5
 Credits5
Summer
NURS 5814 Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) 2
 Credits2
Year Four
Fall
NURS 5160 Principles of Practice Management 2
NURS 5815 Advanced Practice Nursing Practicum: Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) 4
 Credits6
 Total Credits38

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact the School of Nursing's recruitment and enrollment staff:

314-977-8995 
slunurse@slu.edu