MSN Programs in Montana

By EveryNurse Staff on January 17, 2023

To qualify for an advanced practice nursing position, RNs must enter an MSN program that typically concentrates on a particular specialization. Depending on his or her focus, a nurse will then be able to apply to jobs that involve anesthesia, midwifery, or acute and primary care of adults, families, and children. One of the ways to gain the appropriate training and knowledge necessary to take on jobs requiring more responsibility is to enter an MSN program in Montana to earn a graduate-level degree.

Schools With MSN Programs in Montana

Located in Bozeman, Montana State University is one of the few opportunities for a nurse to earn his or her Master of Science in Nursing from a local institution. The University offers two options to consider for the Clinical Nurse Leader track: a 4-semester or 6-semester program. Required courses regarding the CCNE accredited curriculum include Advanced Health Assessment; Design of Healthcare Delivery Systems; Finance and Budget; and Program Planning and Eval, Outcomes, & QI (three lectures and one clinical lab).

With nurses completing their MSN degree program in as little as 16 months, Franklin University offers an online curriculum that concentrates on Healthcare Administration. Students attending the University’s program will become well versed in health policy and global healthcare. Some of the courses a student may encounter include Healthcare Laws and Ethics, Healthcare Financial Management, and Healthcare Delivery Systems.

Nurses with an interest in working with pregnant mothers and newborns may consider applying to the MSN program at Frontier Nursing University, which offers an ACNM accredited curriculum for distance learners pursuing nurse midwifery. The University also provides online instruction for aspiring family nurse practitioners and women’s health care nurse practitioner. After January 1, 2014, students will be able to enter a new program that allows them to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus as a nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner, and have the option to seamlessly transition into a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers an online MSN program for nurses interested in pursuing the Family Nurse Practitioner track. Students have a chance to earn his or her advanced degree in as little as two years. There are no mandatory lectures, chat sessions, or login times to worry about – students fulfill class requirements by creating a schedule that fits his or her personal needs. The 36-credit program is completed over the course of six full-time semesters.

The MSN program at Brookline College provides online instruction for nurses looking to earn an advanced degree with a focus on teaching. The Master of Science in Nursing Education program is comprised of a curriculum that touches upon teaching/learning theory and strategies; how to evaluate student learning; academic leadership roles; and instructional technologies. The College’s program also incorporates two practicum courses – one at the faculty or instructor level, and another centered on academic leadership.

Walden University also offers nurses access to an online MSN program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Students may qualify to enter one of two tracks: BSN to MSN Track (for RNs that possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing) or the RN to MSN Track (for RNs with a hospital diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing).

Level Up Your Career

Montana MSN Checklist

Possess an unencumbered, current Registered Nurse (RN) license in Montana.
Earn an MSN degree from an accredited college or university, and complete all requirements, such as clinical hours of experience.
Pass a national certifying exam in a specialty area, and be prepared to show proof to the Board.
Apply for licensure with the Montana Board of Nursing (~ $75 fee per specialty), and meet all of the educational and testing requirements set by Montana law or in administrative rule. The Board also requires the receipt of an official transcript (with degree awarded and date degree was conferred) directly sent from the advanced nursing educational program.

Montana MSN Salary & Job Outlook

Not only does an MSN allow a nurse to assume more responsibilities as an advanced practice professional, but the degree also qualifies employees for jobs that pay a higher salary. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following median salaries for MSN-degree related careers in Montana that include medical and health service manager ($74,700), nursing instructor and teacher ($52,640), nurse practitioner ($87,880), and nurse anesthetist ($129,140).