Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing
Start strong in nursing with Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN path
Hybrid format
20 months
68 credit hours
$939 per credit
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What is Brenau University’s Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing program?
- Apply By: 11/06/2026
- Start Class: 01/11/2027
Take a significant step toward a purpose-driven career with Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN. In as few as 20 months, you can transition into nursing and become a registered nurse, with no prior nursing experience required. Located on our Norcross, Georgia campus, this 68-credit program blends immersive simulation, small class sizes and dedicated faculty mentorship to support your success. Graduate feeling prepared for licensure and equipped to lead, educate and make a lasting impact on health care.
Program Details
- 99.2% NCLEX pass rate
- Rewarding career options for DEMSN graduates
- Practice care in advanced simulation labs
- One-on-one instruction from professors with field experience
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
What courses are in Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN curriculum?
22 courses
68 credits
Brenau University’s DEMSN curriculum is aligned to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and empowers you to build a strong foundation in professional nursing while you prepare for master’s-level practice. Early coursework focuses on health assessment, core nursing skills and clinical reasoning through classroom learning, simulation and supervised clinical experiences. You will also examine pathophysiology, pharmacology and the management of acute and chronic conditions across the lifespan while strengthening critical thinking, communication and evidence-based care skills.
As you progress, the program emphasizes graduate-level competencies such as advanced assessment, leadership, population health and research application. You may pursue a specialization, such as family nurse practitioner and complete clinical practicums and evidence-based projects to enhance real-world readiness. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to pursue RN licensure and advanced practice certification to support long-term career growth.
The DEMSN advantage
DEMSN graduates achieve 99.2% NCLEX-RN pass rate
Benefit from a supportive, faculty-driven curriculum that prepares you for NCLEX-RN success, reflected in a 99.2% pass rate for 2023-2025 and a strong commitment to student achievement and career readiness.
Apply evidence-based practice in real-world experiences
Refine your skills as a master’s-prepared nurse through hands-on clinical care, applying advanced assessment, pharmacology, theory, cultural competency and communication in a practicum tailored to your goals.
Admission Requirements
What are the admission requirements for Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN program?
Application Deadline 11/06/2026
Start Date 01/11/2027
Ready to become a nurse leader? Apply to Brenau’s DEMSN program with your non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college and a minimum 3.0 GPA over your last 60 credit hours. Take the first step toward becoming a master’s-prepared nurse and expanding your opportunities in health care.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 based on the last 60 credits hours of college coursework (including graduate coursework) A minimum science GPA of 3.0 |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts are needed. An official transcript review will be performed. Degrees from schools outside of the U.S. must be evaluated by a NACES accredited transcript review agency |
| Transfer Credits | Our DEMSN program does not accept transfer credits |
| Official Test Scores | Students must achieve a minimum score of 75% on the nursing admissions test (HESI) to be eligible for the DEMSN program |
| Additional Requirements | Students have one opportunity to provide acceptable background and drug screen results. Only a negative drug screen result is acceptable. A background check revealing a felony charge is not acceptable. In the event of a misdemeanor charge(s), the applicant must contact the Georgia Board of Nursing for information regarding licensure exam qualifications. |
Tuition & Aid
How much does Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN program cost?
Calculate your cost for attending Brenau University Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Brenau’s Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing program offers competitive tuition of $939 per credit, totaling $63,852. Completed in as few as 20 months, this accelerated program is a smart investment in your future, equipping you with advanced skills and a master’s degree that can unlock higher earning potential and long-term career growth.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $939 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 68 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $63,852 |
| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition cost does not include factors like textbooks or other expenses |
What career paths can you pursue with Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN?
Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN prepares you to launch your nursing career and advance into roles like nurse administrator or educator, with options to specialize as a family or acute care nurse practitioner, nurse executive and more. Graduates are eligible for RN licensure and gain hands-on experience through simulation labs and clinical placements with Brenau’s health care partners, supporting strong earning potential and long-term career growth. Please note that all salaries listed below are specific to Georgia.
What is the salary for nurses with a Direct-Entry MSN in Georgia?
Registered nurse $93,600 per year1
Medical and health service manager $146,700 per year2
What will you learn in Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN program?
In Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN program, you’ll gain the skills and experience needed to excel as a professional nurse and leader in health care. Through hands-on training, advanced simulation and personalized instruction, you’ll be prepared to make an immediate impact in a variety of clinical settings while building a strong foundation for long-term career growth.
- Step confidently into entry-level nursing roles across diverse health care settings
- Develop hands-on clinical skills through immersive simulation labs
- Gain real-world experience with Brenau’s network of health care partners
- Earn a master’s degree directly, accelerating your path to advanced nursing roles
What outcomes can you expect from Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN program?
- Learn advanced nursing skills and prepare for RN licensure so you can confidently start your nursing career in health care
- Gain hands-on experience through simulation labs and clinical placements so you can practice real-world patient care with confidence
- Develop leadership and education skills in nursing to make a meaningful impact on patients and your health care team
Learn from faculty invested in your success
As a student at Brenau, you’ll benefit from supportive, accessible faculty who call you by name and understand your reality because they’ve traveled a similar path to a career in education. Their personalized mentorship can help you develop effective instructional strategies and build a thriving professional network.
What is the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing at Brenau University?
The Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing at Brenau University prepares professional nurse leaders through personalized, hands-on education. With small class sizes and a diverse community, students gain experience with state-of-the-art patient simulators, community health initiatives, international study opportunities and collaborative projects. Guided by faculty invested in their success, graduates are equipped to embrace lifelong learning, advance health and excel as compassionate, skilled practitioners who make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Online learning
At Brenau, you will learn in small classes, which gives you plenty of opportunities to ask questions and receive one-on-one support from your professors. With flexible scheduling and online delivery, we make education fit into your busy life. Our programs respond to the needs of today’s students, so you’ll receive the education you need to become a leader who makes a difference. From here, you can.
Discover Brenau OnlineRelated Programs
We also offer Accelerated Transfer BSN and ABSN programs. Check us out today!
Accelerated Transfer Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Transfer to Brenau to build on your past college experience. You’ll receive hands-on training and personal support on your journey to an RN role
View ProgramAccelerated BSN
Students with an associate or bachelor’s degree in another field can take an accelerated path to a nursing career.
View ProgramFrequently asked questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
Yes. Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN (DEMSN) is built specifically for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing and want to move into a nursing career at the graduate level. You don’t need any prior nursing coursework or clinical experience to apply. The 68-credit curriculum starts from foundational nursing content and builds from there.
Speak with an admissions counselor to confirm your specific prerequisites are met before applying, since exact requirements can vary based on your undergraduate degree.
Brenau requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, calculated on your last 60 credit hours, plus a minimum 3.0 science GPA. You’ll also need a minimum score of 75% on the HESI Nursing Admissions Test, along with passing a background check and drug screening.
If you’re unsure how your academic background will be evaluated, an admissions counselor can review your transcript and testing history with you before you submit a full application.
No. Brenau’s DEMSN program does not accept transfer credits. Because this is a direct-entry graduate program, your completed bachelor’s degree is what qualifies you for admission. The 68-credit curriculum itself is completed in full at Brenau.
If you have questions about how this affects your specific academic plan, an admissions counselor can walk through what to expect before you apply.
Balancing work and the DEMSN’s accelerated course load is the single biggest logistics question we hear from applicants. Most students find they need to reduce work hours substantially as clinical rotations expand later in the program, though the hybrid format’s online coursework offers more scheduling flexibility than a fully on-ground program.
An admissions counselor can walk through the semester-by-semester course and clinical load with you so you can plan your work schedule realistically before committing.
Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN program is delivered in a hybrid format. Coursework is completed online, while labs, simulation training, and supervised clinical hours require in-person attendance. It is not a fully online program.
An admissions counselor can walk through exactly how much on-campus time to expect each semester so you can plan around work and family commitments.
Brenau’s Direct-Entry MSN program is priced at $939 per credit hour. Across the full 68-credit curriculum, that totals $63,852 in tuition.
An admissions counselor can provide a semester-by-semester cost breakdown and walk through payment plan and financial aid options specific to your enrollment cycle.
To apply, you’ll need a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (last 60 credit hours) and 3.0 science GPA, a minimum 75% score on the HESI Nursing Admissions Test, and a completed background check and drug screening, along with transcripts confirming your existing bachelor’s degree. Note that the program does not accept transfer credits.
Speak with an admissions counselor before submitting to confirm you’ve met every requirement and to get a current start date. Published cycle dates on the page can lag behind actual availability.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Registered Nurses.” Retrieved April 3, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291141.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Medical and Health Services Managers.” Retrieved April 3, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes119111.htm.