If you want to advance your nursing career, getting an advanced degree could be just the way to do it. Fortunately, schools like South University offer online MSN programs that allow you to get your degree affordably and flexibly.
Of the programs we looked at, South seems to place a lot of importance on generating positive outcomes for its students, and they offer a number of degree tracks.
Before committing to any nursing program, however, it’s smart to consider all of your options so you can make the best choice possible. That’s why we wrote this review.
In this post, you’ll learn all about South Univeristy’s online MSN program and see if it may be a good fit for you and your goals.
Table of Contents
Why Enroll in South University’s Online MSN Program?
South Univeristy’s online MSN program appears to be heavily focused on providing positive outcomes for their students.
This is evident by the emphasis they place on showing off alumni success on the degree pages from their website.
Not only do they feature former students prominently, but they also clearly lay out the learning outcomes for each degree pathway. This is a nice touch, as it allows potential students to understand just what they can expect to gain by enrolling in the program.
Of course, there are other reasons to consider South’s online MSN program. We’ll discuss some of the advantages later on in this review.
Graduate Review of the MSN Program at South University
There aren’t many reviews on OnlineU for the MSN program at South University. However, the most recent one was very positive:
“My experience with South University was wonderful. I received a tremendous amount of support from all of my professors, financial aid advisors and student support counselors. I attended the school online while working fulltime and I found it to be very adult learning friendly. Accessing the online textbooks and proctored exams were easy as well as navigating through the portal to obtain required assignments. I will be continuing my DNP at South University and I recommend this university I feel like they prepared me for my career as a FNP. Yes, there was a lot of papers to write, Discussion posts to answer and tests to take, but we are professional students at this level and school isn’t meant to be easy at this level. So, if you’re not willing to put in the work required then this level of nursing profession is not for you.”
-Sabina Thomas (June 20, 2023)
4 Pros of South University’s Online MSN Program
1. Variety of Specializations
South University’s online MSN program offers five different specializations. Two of them are Nurse Practitioner tracks, and include:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
The other three degree pathways are:
- Nurse Administrator
- Nurse Educator
- Nursing Informatics
2. Multiple Degree Pathways
For each of the specializations above, South Univeristy offers them for both BSN-to-MSN and RN-to-MSN tracks.
This means that, even if you don’t have your BSN, you can still enroll in the program to get your MSN as long as you have your Associate’s Degree in Nursing or a nursing degree from an accredited institution.
Keep in mind that, for the RN-to-MSN track, you’ll also need to provide transcripts showing you achieved a GPA of 2.5 or better (on a 4.0 scale) and a valid RN license.
One more thing to note is that the RN-to-MSN track requires that you maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA while in the program if you hope to advance to graduate courses. If you don’t you may have to transition to the BSN program before the school will allow you to take Master’s courses.
3. Up-to-date Technology
South Univeristy utilizes an online learning platform called Brightspace. Some of the features of the platform include:
- Personalized navigation
- A simple online learning atmosphere
- Digital book access
- The ability to email and instant message directly on the platform
The school also gives you access to an app called Pulse App. This app helps you track your course progress by giving you access to things like:
- Course calendars
- Readings and assignments
- Feedback and grades
- Announcements
4. Positive Outcomes
South University provides a number of quotes from former students about how their MSN program helped their former students advance their careers.
There’s a diverse range of alumni that were interviewed, from a military wife to a single mother.
One of the former students went on to get her DNP and has since helped train the next generation of nurses, fight human trafficking, and even influence nursing policies.
Another former student was a charge nurse for a 36-bed med-surge unit within five months of graduating.
Overall, 88% of South University graduates passed the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board exam, though the latest data is from 2020. However, it’s clear that great outcomes are possible with a degree from South University’s online MSN program.
Cons of South University’s Online MSN Program
One of the biggest cons of South Ubiversity’s online MSN program is that there aren’t very many reviews available on sites like OnlineU. This makes it a little more difficult to accurately judge the quality of the education.
Additionally, they could be a little more transparent about the cost of tuition. For the non-NP and RN to MSN tracks, the total cost of the degree is not clearly stated.
However, they do explicit say that credits for the BSN to MSN Nurse Practitioner programs each cost $617. Since you require 62 credits to earn your degree, the total cost of tuition should be around $38,254.
Conclusion
While the lack of reviews on South University’s online MSN program make it a little difficult to judge just how good the program is, there are a few things we know for certain.
For one, they offer multiple MSN degree pathways for those with and without a BSN. Additionally, their alumni have had quite a bit of success, and the school is eager to point that out on their website.
Whether or not you go with South Univeristy, there’s no denying that getting an advanced degree can be an awesome way to advance your career.
If you’re ready to enroll in an online MSN program, then search for a program now!
Disclaimer: Fully online programs can have a ground clinical or practicum experience. South University does not promise or guarantee employment or salary amounts.
Nurse Luke is a CRNA who specializes in Nursing content and still enjoys a very busy career with Locum, Per Diem and Travel nursing in the greater midwest. He has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and received his CRNA masters degree from the Mayo Clinic School of Healthcare. He is passionate about helping nurses explore the options of becoming a travel nurse as well as spending time with his Family.
