Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Georgia | 2026
Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Nurse.org's Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Georgia
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Emory University | $2,017 per credit hour | 15 months | CCNE |
| Augusta University |
Resident: $513 per credit hour Non-Resident: $1,312 per credit hour |
24 months | CCNE |
| Brenau University | $885 per credit hour | 5 semesters | CCNE |
We're highlighting three direct-entry MSN programs in Georgia. These programs are all private with varying program lengths, which makes pursuing an education while working or caring for loved ones more feasible. These programs take between 15 to 24 months to complete, and they all come with that southern hospitality.
Emory University, a top-rated school for nurses, takes students from a non-nursing background to earn their Master's in Nursing in only 15 months, allowing them to become registered nurses. Then, should they wish to continue on, students can elect to go on to their Master of Science in Nursing to become nurse practitioners. Some of the pathways, such as the Pediatric NP option, require nursing experience before enrolling. However, the MN-MSN pathways to Geriatric or Family NPs are accessible directly.
Program Highlights
- Top-rated nursing school
- 15-month accelerated MN to MSN pathway
- Multiple NP specialization tracks available
- Geriatric and Family NP pathways accessible directly
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
- Completed prerequisite courses
- Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Letters of recommendation
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
Non-Resident: $1,312 per credit hour
Through this in-person program, non-nursing degree holders can earn both their MSN-RN and their clinical nurse leader (CNL) certifications. Students earning both their MSN and CNL will attend classes at both the August and Athens campuses. There are some online components to the coursework, but the majority of the education will take place in-person. The program is a full-time accelerated version, so students are not encouraged to work while going through the coursework. Fall start students will need to apply by May of the same year. Applicants are encouraged to have a professional reference letter to strengthen their application.
Program Highlights
- Dual MSN-RN and CNL certification
- Classes at Augusta and Athens campuses
- Some online coursework components
- Full-time accelerated program
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
- Completed prerequisite courses
- Professional reference letter recommended
- Application by May for fall start
Program Information
- Application Deadline: May (for fall start)
- Contact Information:
With a total program time of only 5 semesters, the in-person MSN program at Brenau University prepares students to sit for the NCLEX in only 20 months. Students can also choose an FNP track that prepares them to continue their education with an extension of a total of 77 credits (vs. 68 credits with the MSN only). Brenau partners with many local healthcare facilities and offers a high-level clinical simulation lab for hands-on learning. Admission requirements include a minimum 3.0 on undergraduate courses taken before entering, as well as a HESI Nursing Admissions Test minimum score of 75.
Program Highlights
- NCLEX preparation in 20 months
- Optional FNP track (77 credits total)
- Partnerships with local healthcare facilities
- High-level clinical simulation lab
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on undergraduate courses
- HESI Nursing Admissions Test minimum score of 75
- Completed school application
Program Information
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information:
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program in Georgia
Direct-entry MSN programs in Georgia are most common for people with a non-nursing background who are looking to get into nursing in a fast and reliable pathway. With a bachelor's in a non-nursing field, an MSN degree can be achieved in as little as 15 months to two years.
Direct-entry MSN programs may also make sense for some nurses already working in Georgia. For instance, California does not require its nurses to hold a BSN to practice. However, many individual California hospitals mandate that their RNs earn their BSN within a certain number of years working in the hospital. Some nurses may instead choose to earn their MSNs.
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Georgia
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN programs varies by program. The most affordable program highlighted here is Augusta University which costs around $500 per credit hour.
On the highest end of our list is Emory University, coming in at over $2,000 per credit hour.
Don't forget to also consider other university fees, commuting costs, and fees for study materials.
Admission Requirements for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Georgia
Admission requirements for direct-entry MSN programs in Georgia differ depending on the school. To understand the specific standards of your chosen school, you should speak with an academic advisor.
However, most direct-entry MSN programs in Georgia will have these general prerequisites:
- A Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses (per program)
- All transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed school application
Are Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Georgia Difficult?
The direct-entry MSN programs in Georgia are considered to be rigorous and competitive. Most direct-entry MSN programs, regardless of the state, are considered full-time programs, meaning students are generally discouraged from working outside of the program. Some programs may also require weekends, evenings, and year-round course and clinical work.
What to Expect Working as an APRN in Georgia
RN Salary in Georgia
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average wage for nurse practitioners in Georgia is $125,490, or $60.33 per hour, which is lower than the national median annual salary for NPs, which is $129,210 per year.
APRNs, in general, earn an average salary of $132,050 per year, $63.48 per hour, and the field is expected to grow 35% (much faster than average) over the next ten years. Going from RN to APRN provides you with not only more responsibilities but also more career opportunities to grow into.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the NP career field will grow 35% (much faster than average) over the coming decade. Additionally, it estimates 134,000 openings for APRNs each year. Currently, Georgia is home to 10,580 NPs.
Where Can You Work? RN Jobs in Georgia
Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in several locations as a nurse. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Next Steps
The top direct-entry MSN programs in California are perfect for working nurses who hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want to pursue becoming an NP or APRN. These graduate programs allow you to take the next step in your career, even if you started in a non-nursing field.
FAQs
Additional Resources
For more information on earning a direct-entry MSN, check out these resources:
- Top Direct-Entry Master's in Nursing (MSN) Programs
- Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026
- Types of Master's in Nursing (MSN) Degrees | Programs 2026
Why You Can Trust Nurse.org
As the leading educational website for nurses by nurses, Nurse.org is committed to editorial integrity and data-driven analysis. We independently research schools and programs for nurses and strive to write recommendations that genuinely reflect our true opinion of the product or service. Where relevant, our recommendations may incorporate feedback from 500,000+ nurses in our social communities.
✔ Evaluated 1,100+ accredited nursing school programs using the latest U.S. government data sets. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
✔ Content written by 80+ licensed, practicing nurses who are experts in their respective specialties. Learn more about our nurse contributors.
✔ Connected 1,500,000+ nurses to educational programs since 2020.
