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 GradReports.com for the MSN program at South University. The most recent one was from 2019. So, take the reviews with a grain of salt, because a lot of could have changed in a few years time.
“I am completely satisfied with the MSN education I paid for and completed. The courses were well constructed and my professors were responsive and encouraging. In comparison with the MSN degrees offered in our community, South University offers an excellent education.”
-Elizabeth Marsh, Nursing. MSN online (March 8, 2019)
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 and NPs
- Fight human trafficking
- Influence nursing policies
Another former student was a charge nurse for a 36-bed med-surge unit within five months of graduating.
Clearly, great outcomes are possible with a degree from South University’s online MSN program.
Cons of South University’s Online MSN Program
The reviews on GradReports suggested there were a few problems with South Univeristy’s MSN online MSN program. However, there were only 5 people that left feedback, which is hardly a sufficient sample size.
Additionally, all of the reviews are at least 3 years old, so things could have changed drastically since then. In fact, the most recent review (which we quoted above) was positive.
One review noted that there were some outdated technical issues which as you’ll read below has since been updated. That review was from 2018.
While this wasn’t the only negative review, it’s good to know that it appears South Univeristy has appeared to fix the above problem by implementing new technology like Brightspace and Pulse App.
It seems the only negative review is outdated, which may mean some of the other issues reviewers had may have been taken care of as well.
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.
