Best Dual-Degree Nursing Programs

A centerpiece of the California public higher education system, USC educates over 26,500 graduate and professional students each year. The school offers many graduate programs online, including dual degree nursing programs that run at least partially online.

USC's online master of science in nursing comes with a family nurse practitioner specialization. This 49-credit program requires 784 clinical hours of experience. Full-time students graduate in just five semesters, while part-time students take eight semesters. For students without a background in pharmacology or pathophysiology, USC requires a two-credit bridge course.

While students complete most coursework online, USC requires two on-campus intensives in Los Angeles. Learners complete these intensives at the end of their first and third terms. Nursing students must also complete clinicals onsite. USC helps connect learners with clinical opportunities. Applicants need a bachelor of science in nursing with a 3.0 GPA and one year of professional nursing experience.

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is an esteemed public research university that prepares graduate students for various future careers. Duke's master of science in nursing allows students to select from eight majors and three minors. Along with their major, learners can select a specialty to complete a dual degree nursing program. Specialties include areas such as cardiology, endocrinology, HIV, oncology, and orthopedics. This innovative program also prepares nursing students to enroll in a doctor of nursing practice program.

Most of Duke's graduate-level nursing courses run entirely online. However, the university requires an onsite intensive (2-5 days) at least once per semester. During these on-campus intensives, students work face-to-face with faculty. Applicants must submit a resume, professional recommendations, and a personal statement. Duke requires a 3.0 GPA on college transcripts but does not require GRE scores.

Johns Hopkins, the nation's first research university, provides some of the best dual degree nursing programs for graduate students. Options at the master's level include advanced nursing practice specialties, a master of science in nursing (MSN) in healthcare organizational leadership, and an MSN/MBA dual degree.

Most of Johns Hopkins' dual nursing degree programs require at least two years of study and more than 500 clinical hours. The MSN/MBA route requires five full-time semesters of study, including a summer semester. Part-time learners take more than three years to complete the program. In total, learners earn 65 credits, many of which come online. However, both the MSN and MBA require some onsite clinical experience.

To qualify for Johns Hopkins' dual nursing degree programs, learners must submit three recommendation letters, hold a bachelor of science in nursing and active registered nurse license, and demonstrate at least two years of professional nursing experience.

One of the nation's oldest Catholic institutions, SLU serves nearly 13,000 students each year. The private university gained renown for its quality healthcare programs, including those created for nurses.

SLU's RN-to-BSN program runs entirely online and helps current nurses complete their four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The degree requires 120 credits, though learners with an active registered nurse (RN) license or associate degree can transfer many required credits. SLU offers the courses in an accelerated eight-week format and uses six terms throughout the year. Full-time learners complete this program in just one year, while part-time students take 1.5-2 years.

SLU accepts online learners with active RN licenses in most states. Applicants need at least a high school diploma. Those without previous college experience must complete pre-nursing courses through SLU.

Despite enrolling over 12,000 students, Rochester maintains a low 10-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. The New York-based school hosts one of the region's top nursing schools that offers a dual degree nursing program.

Current registered nurses (RNs) can enroll in Rochester's online RN-to-BSN, a 32-credit bachelor's-completion program that takes part-time learners as few as 16 months to complete. The entirely online program offers three start dates during the year, and students pay a variable per-credit tuition rate depending on their previous education and county of residence.

Eligible nurses need an associate degree or diploma in nursing, along with an active RN license in New York. Applicants submit previous transcripts with at least a 3.0 GPA, resume or CV, and recommendation letter. Rochester does not charge an application fee.

A private research school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel offers its dual degree nursing program, an RN-to-BSN degree, entirely online. The unique program takes as few as 12 months to complete and emphasizes experiential and evidence-based learning.

Learners must complete 180 quarter credits to earn Drexel's bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), though current nurses can transfer up to 135 credits. Drexel uses an accelerated learning format for online students, including those pursuing the RN-to-BSN. This accelerated format allows learners to study at their own pace and continue working while completing the BSN. For learners who plan on taking more than 12 months, Drexel guarantees the same flat tuition rate for three years.

Applicants need a 2.0 GPA or higher and an active registered nurse (RN) license. Applicants must also first complete at least 60 semester hours of college prerequisites. Those without adequate prerequisites can complete the courses through Drexel.

The Catholic University of America, a private research school based in Washington, D.C., serves students in all fields through the Catholic intellectual tradition. Despite the university's religious background, learners enrolled in the online master of science in nursing (MSN) do not take Catholic-based or religious courses.

The online MSN's nurse practitioner track offers options including family nurse practitioner, acute care, and pediatric primary care. Each route begins with 27 core credits followed by 17-25 specialty credits. All options culminate with a three-credit capstone research project. The program takes most students 2-3 years to complete, depending on whether they study full time and the specialty they select. The Catholic University of America's dual degree nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

While the MSN features fully online courses, nurses must complete 700 hours of clinical experience onsite. Learners must also travel to campus two times during the program for on-campus intensives.

Founded in the Catholic Jesuit tradition, Georgetown ranks among the nation's top research universities. Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown enrolls over 17,000 students from various religious backgrounds.

Learners interested in a dual nursing degree program can choose a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP). Students can specialize in areas such as nurse midwifery and acute care nurse practitioner. Each option varies in length and requirements, though learners typically complete 40 credits over 2-3 years. Georgetown designs its dual degree nursing programs for part-time study, so nurses can continue working while earning their degree. Aside from 600-700 clinical hours and several on-campus intensives, learners complete all courses online.

All of Georgetown's online MSN and DNP options meet certification requirements set by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

GW, a comprehensive institution that educates over 26,000 students, serves as a leader in research and alumni success. GW's distinguished faculty help graduate learners, including those enrolled in a dual degree nursing program, achieve their career goals.

The online master of science in nursing (MSN), considered one of the nation's top online graduate nursing programs, uses online courses and onsite training through clinicals and simulations. Nurses can select from multiple specialties, and each option posts its own clinical experience and credit requirements. For example, the RN-to-MSN, which leads to both a bachelor of science in nursing and an MSN, takes roughly three years to complete with varying clinical hour requirements based on specialization.

Applicants to all programs aside from the RN-to-MSN need a bachelor's degree in nursing with a 3.0 GPA. Learners also submit two recommendation letters, a personal statement, and a professional resume.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Simmons primarily educates undergraduate women and graduate learners. The graduate students outnumber undergraduates nearly 3-to-1, and many enroll in a graduate-level dual nursing degree program.

Established in 1902, Simmons' nursing school offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) with a family nurse practitioner specialization. Designed for current registered nurses (RNs) with or without a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), the online MSN combines online courses with onsite clinicals. During the program, learners conduct individual research. Learners can pursue the MSN full time or part time, with the options taking 2-3 years, respectively. Both routes require 48 credits and 770 hours of clinical research. Graduates qualify to become certified family nurse practitioners and continue on to a doctor of nursing practice program if they choose.

Applicants need a current RN license and must submit a personal statement, three recommendation letters, a resume, and previous college transcripts.