By pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing from Capital University, you, your skills and your sense of purpose will find a home — a place whose people and professors seek to understand the real you, your unique talents and your professional aspirations. At Capital, you can choose from an array of career-advancing concentrations and craft an MSN program that aligns with your interests, schedule and long-term goals. And because Capital is adept at the latest online teaching platforms, you can pursue your studies at a pace and place that best fits your lifestyle.
Built around you, our MSN programs are flexible, comprehensive and holistic. In classes of fewer than 20 students, you’ll undertake a core curriculum of advanced nursing courses developed for nurses who want to take on leadership roles in their organizations. You can select from three areas of specialization: nursing education, administration or legal studies. Plus, Capital is the only nursing program in the Central Ohio area that offers MSN/JD or MSN/MBA dual degree programs. These dual degree programs are ideally suited for nurses pursuing executive paths that demand a strong command of legal, compliance, administrative and leadership skills.
You chose a profession that brings purpose to your life. Now it’s time to take the next step in your career and life path with an MSN degree from an established, highly respected university. One that’s close to home and can connect you to a vibrant local network of nursing professionals — Capital University.
Learn from caring professionals who care about you.
Knowing that you represent the future of nursing — a profession they love — your professors step beyond the typical student-teacher relationship — often assuming roles of career counselor, mentor and colleague. Through them, you can grow your clinical and foundational expertise and leadership skills in whichever nursing specialties your passion dictates. Along the way, you’ll acquire a comprehensive understanding of the latest technologies, treatments and best practices available today.
Our nursing faculty represents a diverse mix of professors with DNPs, Ph.D.s, and part-time faculty who are actively leading in the area they teach. You'll have access to the ideal blend of scholarship, theory, clinical and teaching expertise, emerging trends in current practice and a robust professional network.
Earn the MSN that lets you grow your leadership skills — and have a life.
At Capital, we not only are grounded in teaching holistic nurse philosophy — we practice it, too. We understand that you are as unique as each of your patients. We know you can’t care for others without taking care of yourself. It’s why our program allows you to finish in as few as two years — or at a pace designed to accommodate your life, family and career. Core courses are offered each term so you can progress quickly or, when life and work intervene, take a break and pick right back up where you left off. At Capital, there is always a path to reach your education and career goals.
Learn at your own pace.
MSN courses are offered online in either 8- or 16-week formats allowing you to choose to take one or two courses at a time at your own pace. These courses employ asynchronous learning — a format that relies primarily on online learning to simplify information sharing outside the constraints of conventional classroom settings. You will, however, have field experiences in select courses. You also will be on campus for selected key moments during your graduate program — assuring all the benefits of your personal interaction with professors, your fellow students, and the Capital campus.
Regardless of your program choice, you can expect:
- at least 360 hours of field experience
- 20 students or fewer per class
- 6 semesters (full-time study)
- Full-time or part-time options
Let your career in caring carry you further with an MSN from Capital.
Close to downtown Columbus, Capital is surrounded by five Magnet® hospitals —the highest level of recognition for quality nursing available. In completing your clinical field experiences, you’ll learn expert skills from the best nurses and encounter the best practices of Central Ohio’s leading healthcare providers. In doing so, you’ll be able to grow your professional connections and expand your career network. Upon graduating you’ll join a distinct alumni family we call CapFam — a network whose members share your background, your gifts and your dogged determination to advance the practice of nursing and stay at the forefront of your field.
Our graduates have gone on to leadership positions with some of the most respected health care providers and teaching institutions in the Midwest. You’ll find them at
- Wexner Medical Center
- Hospice of Central Ohio
- OhioHealth
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Otterbein University
- Mt. Carmel College of Nursing
- Cedarville University
- Mt Carmel Health
- Columbus Public Health
- Fairfield Medical Center
- Grady Memorial Hospital
Let’s get personal.
Nursing professionals connect with people at some of the most vulnerable times of their lives —one-to-one and face-to-face — it doesn’t get any more personal than that. It’s only natural that we believe the best way to connect with us is in person by visiting campus for an information session. In this session, you can learn more about how we can help grow your nursing career without surrendering your obligations to work and family. Our advisers can help you take advantage of the coursework you’ve already completed and bring you one step closer to where you want to be — in your career and life.
Concentrations
Quality & Safety
Becoming an expert in Quality and Safety is essential in all areas of the nursing profession. This MSN concentration gives you the critical knowledge and hands-on experience to use data to examine trends in global health to lead change initiatives that will impact patient care and enhance healthcare. Our program gives you the opportunity to work with interdisciplinary experts in performance and process improvement (PPI) projects and gain advanced experience in healthcare Quality and Safety.
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Administration
Becoming a nurse leader is increasingly important in healthcare. An Administration concentration is designed to build knowledge and expertise in nursing administration practices, which address current nursing workforce needs. You’ll contribute to increasing positive patient outcomes and grow in your ability to manage day-to-day operations. Our MSN program offers a solid foundation in leadership knowledge and skills you will need to succeed in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. You’ll have access to faculty with expertise in nursing administration who will be your personal mentors and will provide you with unique opportunities to gain valuable real-world experience.
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Education
There is a national shortage of nurses with advanced degrees in nursing education. Our MSN Education concentration is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the methods and practices of academic teaching, coupled with hands-on expertise to teach nursing in in-person and online settings. You’ll work with mentors in academia and in healthcare institutions who share your passion to teach. As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to teach in all realms of nursing practice (didactic, lab, simulation, and clinical) and elevate your career in nursing education.
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Legal Studies
Nurses are the largest group of healthcare professionals that make an impact and influence healthcare policy and nursing practice. Our MSN Legal Studies concentration matches you with mentors who will guide you in the legal aspects of healthcare, providing insight and perspective on the roles that nurses play in developing and implementing policies, regulation, and compliance. You’ll gain expert knowledge of the legal system in healthcare, navigate legal risk decision-making, and learn to collaborate effectively with others in the healthcare setting.
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