Direct Entry MSN Program
Launch Your Nursing Career with North Park’s DEMSN Program
On-ground
20 Months
68 Credit Hours
$925 Per Credit
Request More Information
Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition, and more.
Pursue Your Passion for Caregiving with North Park’s Direct Entry MSN
No matter your educational background, your career as a nurse awaits with North Park University’s CCNE-accredited Direct Entry MSN program. Over an intensive and rewarding five semesters, our Chicago nursing program prepares you to provide safe and competent patient care, nursing leadership, and advocacy rooted in values.
North Park’s second-degree nursing program prepares you to develop high-level thinking skills in five key domains, including nursing across the lifespan, population health, evidence-based practice, leadership, and communication. Graduates will be prepared to sit for NCLEX RN license exam; Students will be responsible for obtaining NCLEX RN licensure requirements for any states outside Illinois.*
Program Details
- Diverse clinical partnerships throughout Chicago
- Strong sense of community through cohorts and hands-on faculty
- The master’s degree program in nursing at North Park University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791
- 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate**
Curriculum
Direct Entry MSN Program Courses
68 total credits
24 courses
In addition to the in-depth coursework, you’ll complete 612 hours of practicum experience in our simulation center and partner healthcare facilities. You’ll graduate prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam as an RN, pursue post-master’s certification, or earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
Course Highlights
- Communication and Managing Healthcare Information
- Population Health Nursing
- Nursing with Diverse Populations
- Scientific Inquiry and Knowledge Development
Admissions Requirements
Apply to the Direct Entry MSN Program
Application Deadline 07/07/2025
Start Date 9/08/2025
Apply to the DEMSN program at North Park today. The application process is quick and easy, and you can save your progress as you work. Reach out to your enrollment counselor with any questions you encounter throughout the process.
| Online Application Form | Completed NursingCAS application |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA |
|
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all previous schools required, via NursingCAS. |
| Prerequisite Courses | Transcripts must show completion of the following prerequisite courses from a regionally accredited institution:
|
| Additional Requirements |
|
International Students Admission Requirements
The DEMSN program at North Park accepts international students. Those students may have additional requirements for admission. Due to the high-level language competency required in nursing, international applicants*** must possess proficiency in English at a level to enable them to succeed in graduate-level studies. All international applicants for the DEMSN program are required to submit results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET).
| English Language Proficiency | One of the following:
|
|---|
It’s Always a Good Time to Apply to North Park
With multiple start dates per year, we make it easy for you to apply to the program of your choice and begin your educational journey. Our admissions process is straightforward, and our team is always here to guide you through the process.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Paying for Your Advanced Nursing Degree from North Park
Calculate your cost for attending North Park
Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Our team is here to help you estimate costs and discover the best way to pay for your North Park University Direct Entry MSN. Explore the costs you’ll encounter below.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $925 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 68 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $62,900 plus fees |
| Other Costs to Budget For | Your only additional costs will be for books and materials not billed to you by North Park. These costs can vary depending on what courses you need to take, how you obtain textbooks, and a variety of other factors. |
Military Students at North Park
North Park University welcomes veterans of the US Armed Forces as students. Financial benefits are available for veterans attending the university as undergraduate or graduate students. Questions about benefits for veterans should be directed to the veterans coordinator in the Office of the Registrar at (773) 244-5560 or by email.
Paying for Your North Park Degree
There are multiple options for financing your degree at North Park. Be sure to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year and explore third-party scholarship opportunities. Investing in your education is a big decision, and we are here to help you finance your degree in a way that fits your needs. Programs are not eligible for NPU scholarships, Graduate Assistantship, or tuition discounts.
Tuition Details
Launch Your Nursing Career with a Graduate Degree
Earning your MSN sends a signal to employers that you are capable of high-level academic and clinical work. Earning your DEMSN as opposed to a BSN can result in enhanced employment opportunities and career progression. You’ll graduate prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed as a registered nurse or pursue post-graduate education that will prepare you for more specialized careers.
Nursing Jobs with an MSN Degree
Registered Nurse $93,600 per year1
Registered Nurse (RN), Critical Care $95,779 per year2
“North Park has been the best choice for me. My sister is here, and she, her cohort, and our classmates motivate me and are great study partners. The professors are always there when you have questions. It’s not just your professors; you could ask anyone, and they’ll guide you and give you resources.”
– Darryl Vigo, Direct Entry MSN, May 2025
What You’ll Learn
Our program will prepare you to make a lasting impact on patients’ lives. You’ll graduate with the skills you need to sit for the NCLEX-RN license exam. Students will be responsible for obtaining all NCLEX-RN licensure requirements for states other than Illinois. You’ll also have the option to pursue further postgraduate education.
Program Outcomes
- Integrate core scientific and ethical principles, advanced nursing knowledge, professional values, and clinical excellence in master’s-level nursing practice that reflects the Christian principles of the philosophy of the School of Nursing.
- Apply leadership skills in the design, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of safe and high-quality patient care.
- Plan quality improvement initiatives to improve health outcomes.
- Apply evidence-based approaches to guide master’s-level nursing practice.
- Use information systems and technology to support practice.
- Advocate for policies to improve the health of the public and the profession of nursing.
- Demonstrate effective communication with interprofessional partners to improve the health of individuals and populations.
- Plan, deliver, and evaluate effective, culturally responsive care to improve individual and population-based health outcomes with intentional emphasis on urban environments.
- Design strategies for lifelong learning that incorporate professional nursing standards and accountability for practice.
Expert Faculty Who Are Committed to Your Success
Our instructors have professional experience in their respective fields and are ready to form meaningful relationships with you as they guide and mentor you toward success. Our faculty are committed to the achievement of every student.
Mariah West, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC, Assistant Professor of Nursing
Faculty Spotlight: Mariah West
Mariah West, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC, is a dedicated healthcare professional and educator from Chicago, IL. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences from Grand Valley State University. Mariah furthered her education by completing her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), focusing on Nurse Midwifery and Women’s Health at Georgetown University. She is a faculty member in the DEMSN track, teaching nursing care to childbearing women in the DEMSN track and Professional Development I and Holistic Health Assessment. Mariah is also an active Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated member, reflecting her commitment to leadership and service in her professional and community life.
Related Programs
Sources and Disclaimers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Registered Nurses” Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.
- Payscale. Average Registered Nurse (RN), Critical Care Hourly Pay. Retrieved May 28, 2025 from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)%2C_Critical_Care/Hourly_Rate/69082e7e/Chicago-IL.
*Each state/jurisdiction has unique educational and prerequisite requirements that candidates must meet in order to obtain licensure or certification. For more information, please visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website.
**North Park University’s Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing program graduates achieved an NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024 of 100%.
***International applicants include those with English as an additional language and/or an applicant with a permanent resident card. North Park University will not be issuing I-20s for the DEMSN program.