University of Memphis

What you'll study

The MSN is built around advanced nursing knowledge, research methods and leadership skills, with distinct coursework and practicum requirements for the tracks in Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Core modules typically include advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, health assessment, nursing theory, healthcare policy and ethics, and statistics for health research.

• Nursing Administration: organisational leadership, healthcare finance and budgeting, human resources and workforce development, quality improvement and safety, strategic planning, and an administrative practicum focused on management in acute, community or long-term care settings.
• Nursing Research: research design and methods, advanced biostatistics, grant writing, qualitative and quantitative analysis, evidence-based practice implementation, and a research project or thesis conducted under faculty supervision.
• Clinical Nursing: advanced clinical assessment and decision-making, specialty-focused practicum experiences, clinical management of complex patients, interdisciplinary team collaboration, and a clinical capstone demonstrating advanced competency in a practice area.

Delivery is commonly a mix of seminar-style classes, online components and supervised clinical placements. Students complete a practicum or scholarly project appropriate to their chosen track, supervised by experienced faculty.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold an active, unencumbered RN licence and a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from an accredited programme. Registered nurses with an associate degree or diploma may be considered for bridge pathways, subject to programme-specific prerequisites and articulation policies. Typical academic and document requirements are:

• A bachelor's degree in nursing (or approved bridge pathway) from an accredited institution.
• An active RN licence issued by the relevant state/provincial licensing authority.
• A competitive undergraduate GPA; many candidates present a strong academic record in nursing coursework.
• Professional references or letters of recommendation, a current CV or résumé, and a personal statement describing clinical experience, career goals and preferred MSN track.
• Evidence of clinical experience; specific tracks may require a minimum period of recent nursing practice.
• Background checks, health clearance and immunisation documentation as required for clinical placements.

Some applicants may be asked to provide transcripts for all post-secondary study. The programme may also consider relevant professional experience when assessing eligibility. Prospective students should consult the Loewenberg College of Nursing admissions office for specific prerequisites and any course-deficiency policies.

Career prospects

An MSN from the University of Memphis prepares graduates for a range of senior clinical, managerial and research roles across healthcare settings. Typical careers by track include:

• Nursing Administration: nurse manager, clinical director, quality improvement leader, operations manager or administrative roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care and community health organisations.
• Nursing Research: research coordinator, clinical research associate, nurse scientist, policy analyst or roles supporting evidence-based practice and clinical trials in academic, hospital-based or independent research settings.
• Clinical Nursing: advanced clinical specialist roles, clinical educator positions, care-coordination and specialised practice roles in acute care, community health, specialty clinics and integrated care teams.

Graduates also move into related fields such as health policy, informatics implementation, quality and safety leadership, education and consultancy. The degree strengthens prospects for doctoral study for those pursuing research or academic careers.

Why study at University of Memphis

The Loewenberg College of Nursing at the University of Memphis combines academic rigour with regionally relevant clinical opportunities in a major metropolitan health environment. Students benefit from faculty who are active clinicians and researchers, strong ties with healthcare providers in the Memphis area for practicum placements, and a curriculum that emphasises interprofessional collaboration, health equity and community engagement.

The programme offers flexible delivery models to support working nurses, including evening and online course options alongside hands-on clinical experiences. For nurses aiming to advance into leadership, research or specialised clinical roles, the University of Memphis provides a supportive professional network, mentorship and practical placement experience to bridge coursework to applied practice.