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School of Health Sciences

RN to MSN

Online Master of Science in RN to MSN: Community and Public Health Nursing Concentration

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Online RN to MSN Degree Program

The online RN to MSN program at American Public University offers registered nurses an enriching educational journey. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this nursing program incorporates a Community and Public Health concentration for a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between healthcare organizations and the populations they serve.

Delve into the many ways in which community health nurses and public health nurses work to optimize patient outcomes. You’ll compare strategies for supporting wellness and addressing health disparities throughout society. This includes researching the impact of financial, regulatory, and political decisions on local, national, and global health outcomes. 

Assignments range from participating in online discussions to grant writing and a 16-week practicum you’ll complete in your community. As you progress throughout the program, you’ll cultivate your knowledge and skills as a practitioner, scientist, and leader.

This program creates a streamlined pathway to obtain a BSN and MSN for registered nurses holding either a nursing diploma or an associate degree in nursing. Students in this program will substitute three BSN courses for three MSN courses to save nine credit hours and graduate faster. After successful completion of 120 credits, learners are awarded a BSN degree. 

The mission of this accelerated RN to MSN program is to provide quality, affordable, and advanced education to professional registered nurses. Online courses help facilitate lifelong learning by inspiring a spirit of inquiry. Furthermore, the University’s nurse educators help prepare students for service and leadership roles .

Community and Public Health is one of three concentrations offered through American Public University’s RN to MSN program. Alternative specializations include the Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator concentration tracks.

NOTE: This program has specific admission requirements and is not currently open to residents of Washington, D.C., or Washington state.

What You Will Do in this RN to MSN Program

  1. Apply the principles of ethical decision-making to the practice of the master’s-prepared nurse
  2. Demonstrate leadership skills to support safe nursing practices and continually improve patient-centered care
  3. Advocate for healthcare policies that improve healthcare outcomes across the lifespan
  4. Translate theoretical knowledge, research and evidence-based practice to influence the delivery of high-quality, safe care to vulnerable populations in a variety of settings
  5. Apply data management principles in the delivery of cost-effective care to improve health outcomes
  6. Analyze how healthcare policy and health care economics affect change within the healthcare system
  7. Demonstrate effective inter-professional communication and collaboration to support safe and efficient coordination of care
  8. Reflect on personal commitment to lifelong learning to gain the competencies needed to lead the provision of care in a complex and changing healthcare environment 

View Program Outcome Assessment Results

Degree at a Glance

Accredited
CCNE Accredited
Number of Credits
147
Transfer up to 90 undergraduate credits1
Cost Per Credit
First 120 Credits
$360 | $250*
$324**
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant or APUS Opportunity Grant
Remaining Credits
$470 | $250*
$399.50**
$423***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
This program is not eligible for military Tuition Assistance
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take the following in this Section:

Course ID: 5037

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Information and Digital Literacy is designed to provide students with sustainable and usable skills essential to success in both academic and professional settings. Students will learn best practices to locate and evaluate sources, and effectively communicate using digital literacy to become proficient 21st century learners.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4951

|
Martin Luther King, Jr, said, “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to KEEP MOVING.” Making Writing Relevant is a composition course that will definitely keep you moving. It is not merely a required course; it is the type of course you will want to take because it moves you onto the path to success. Over eight-weeks, we will help you learn the most important components of a successful writer-communicator. We will teach you how to research properly, knowing you will need this skill in every course you take here at APUS and also in interactions in your professional and personal life. We will teach you the formatting style you will use in your field. We will provide a supportive community to strengthen and encourage you, and by the end of this nearly-all-you-need-to-know-about-writing course, you will be able to fly.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Must take the following in this Section:

Course ID: 4894

|
This is an introductory statistics course designed to help students achieve a basic understanding of the statistical methods available to analyze and solve the wide variety of problems encountered in the workplace. This course is designed for students who seek an understanding of descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The emphasis of the course will be on the proper use and interpretation of statistical techniques. MATH120 is the recommended mathematics general education course for students who will be required to take additional statistics courses such as MATH302 Statistics as part of their program of study.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4109

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This course is only open to students admitted and enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science Nursing Program. In this course, students examine the role of the baccalaureate-prepared Registered Nurse as a leader and change agent in various practice settings. Students determine the impact and effectiveness of informatics, cultures of safety, levels of professionalism and ethics in their healthcare settings. Students will conduct a self-assessment of professionalism, identify areas for growth and write a Professional Development Plan. Principles of critical thinking and scholarly writing are applied throughout the course.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4202

|
This course explores assessment of the individual and families across the lifespan. The concepts of genetics and health maintenance/health promotion will guide the student to develop plans of care focused on clinical prevention. Students will cultivate professional assessment skills by completing a health interview, a health risk assessment and a discharge teaching plan. All evidence-based plans of care reflect an understanding of the relationship between assessed risk factors and genetic predisposition toward illness with the goal of achieving quality patient outcomes. (Prerequisite: NURS300)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 5347

|
This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course explores the connections between pharmacological interventions and pathophysiology across the life span. The study of genetics/genomics, culture, and integrative health provides a theoretical context for the delivery of patient-centered care. An understanding of the dynamic relationship between comorbidities and medication interactions facilitates the development of an individual plan of care. An analysis of human responses to pharmacological interventions will be explored through case studies, evidence-based research, and group projects. (Prerequisite: NURS300)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4205

|
This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course reviews evidence-based practice, the history of this movement, and the challenges to implementation in the practice setting. Students will further develop their skills with efficiently finding, reading, and comprehending published research and determine applicability to clinical practice. Students continue to explore means to assess, monitor, and develop cultures of safety in their own organizations and will become familiar with several national safety initiatives. (Prerequisites: NURS300 and MATH120)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4207

|
This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. Students explore the rapid evolution of current nursing practice and examine historical and contemporary issues germane to their practice. Students examine changes in technology and its impact on access, cost, quality, and knowledge development. Global health and nursing workforce issues are evaluated and discussed.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4453

|
This course addresses the unique healthcare issues facing today's veterans. Emphasis is on physical and psychosocial needs of veterans and the delivery of patient/family centered care. Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other health issues of veterans will be explored through evidence-based literature and research. Students will examine the veteran culture, identify health risks, analyze health issues and trends in healthcare systems, and explore best practices.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4841

|
This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. In this course, the student will focus on the community as client with an emphasis on specific vulnerable populations and related topics, such as substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, women’s and men’s issues, and environmental health. The student will gain knowledge of underserved populations as well as how communities are affected by cultural diversity and natural and man-made disasters. Clinical experiences will allow for the implementation of a teaching project for a designated vulnerable population. (Prerequisite: NURS300)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4789

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This course examines how population-based theories and practice inform community/public nursing practice. An emphasis is placed on the ecology of health and the interconnectedness of the biological, behavioral, physical, and socio environmental domains. Students will analyze root causes of health disparities including cultural, political, social, racial, class, gender and economic factors and examine the role of social justice to improving population health. Strategies for collaboration and advocacy with diverse population and groups will be explored.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4791

|
Rapidly changing healthcare systems demand that advanced degree nurses possess knowledge of the effective use of informatics and technology to enhance patient care in a variety of settings. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve patient outcomes through effective use of these technological resources. Topics include electronic medical records, data analysis, safe management of patient care technology, health literacy, and related ethical issues. (Prerequisite: NURS502)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 5052

|
Today’s nurse leaders must possess the essential communication, critical-thinking and decision-making skills required to effectively manage teams providing high quality healthcare to various populations. This course addresses issues related to inter-professional collaboration, quality improvement initiatives, data-driven decision making, leadership and communication styles and their effect on interaction with members of healthcare teams.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
Current active, unencumbered registered nursing license 30
Total Semester Hours 30
Current active, unencumbered registered nursing license.
Select any courses that have not been used to fulfill major requirements. Credits applied toward a minor or certificate in an unrelated field may be used to fulfill elective credit for the major.

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4211

|
This course is only open to students who are enrolled in the RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program. This course is organized around individual student research papers and project development and serves as a capstone and culminating experience where students integrate knowledge and apply professional skills to improve the quality of health in the workplace. Students prepare formal written and poster presentations of the project. A final evaluation of progress toward meeting goals is completed. (Prerequisite: NURS300, NURS310, NURS315, NURS340, and NURS350.) NOTE: Students must earn a grade of B or higher to pass this course
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Students must choose a concentration for this degree program:

The community/public health nursing concentration prepares nurses to serve, protect, and promote the health of communities locally and globally through the application of three core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, and assurance. Students are prepared to serve as change agents practicing with a justice approach that is collaborative, promotes health and equity, and engages community gatekeepers and stakeholders. Graduates are equipped to analyze determinants of health using epidemiological data and other evidence. They are also prepared to apply social and behavioral science theories, models, and principles to develop or improve programs to address public health issues and to promote public health policies, programs, and resources that improve health outcomes.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this concentration, the student will be able to:

  • Analyze social determinants of health that affect the health of a community.
  • Evaluate prevention strategies of communities to identify opportunities for improvement in health and disease prevention of vulnerable populations.
  • Enhance the health of a vulnerable population through interprofessional coordination, planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of a public health nursing intervention for a selected community

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4788

|
Advanced degree nurses must integrate evidence-based principles into their daily practice, and promote research-based decision-making in themselves and others. This course focuses on the critical analysis of research and its application to current nursing practice. Ethical issues in the design and conduct of research are addressed. (Prerequisite: NURS502)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4792

|
Today’s healthcare providers must promote health, influence the health delivery system, and participate in policy advocacy to improve the healthcare outcomes of populations. In this course, students will examine the effects of legal and regulatory processes on healthcare delivery at institutional, local, state, and federal levels. Topics covered in this course will include healthcare policy development, accrediting agencies, quality improvement, and patient quality and safety. (Prerequisite: NURS502)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 5349

|
This is a practicum course supporting community and public health nurses practicing at an advanced level. The practicum allows students to build on their previous knowledge in learning to design public health programs to improve health outcomes. Topics include assessing community and public health needs along with planning programs to meet those needs. Students work with the practicum coordinator and faculty to identify a qualified preceptor and select a practicum site. Students will complete 40 of the 160 hours of clinical practice required for completion of the program. (Prerequisites: PBHE520, PBHE527, PBHE550, and PBHE607)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 4507

|
Biostatistics is a fundamental course in public health. This course will prepare the students to collect, analyze and present the data through the understanding of basic concepts, principles, and techniques/methods of statistics as applied to public health. Major topics will include descriptive statistics, statistical models, probability, probability distribution, point and confidence interval estimation, sampling, hypothesis testing, general principles of study design, and comparison of discrete and continuous data such as t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression. The lab portion of the course will focus on the application of Biostatistics by using statistical software. The students will learn to apply the concepts learned in the course (PBHE 520, Biostatistics with Lab.) Major topics will include descriptive statistics, probability, probability distribution, point and confidence interval estimation, sampling, hypothesis testing, and comparison of discrete and continuous data such as t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and regression. Students will develop advanced skills in SPSS to run statistical procedures and interpret output. Students will ask questions of data sets, write-up results in briefs, and develop the skills to critique analysis & findings in peer-reviewed literature. NOTE: Students are required to purchase and use the statistical software, SPSS, to successfully complete this course.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3884

|
This course reviews the conceptual, empirical, and theoretical contributions of the Social and Behavioral Sciences as they contribute to an understanding of health and illness.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3628

|
This course teaches the student to design their own empirical research, and evaluate the research of others, in any of the sub-fields of public health. The course begins with an introduction to the field of public health. It introduces the philosophy of social science and several theoretical approaches used in public health. The course then concentrates on teaching the details of public health research design. The course takes the student step-by-step through qualitative, comparative, and quantitative research design and analysis methods. (Prerequisite: PBHE520)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 12/27/26 Fall 2026 Session I 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2831

|
This course provides a graduate level study of epidemiologic concepts and approaches to population problems in public health. It covers a wide spectrum of topics, to include outbreak investigation, test properties, and study design. The course will provide understanding of disease and disease transmission, rates and proportions associated with different forms of outbreak, and epidemiological risk management methods and measures. Students are required to utilize Epi info software to complete their assignments. (Prerequisite: PBHE550)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
02/23/26 - 07/31/26 08/03/26 - 09/27/26 Summer 2026 Session I 8 Week session
04/27/26 - 10/02/26 10/05/26 - 11/28/26 Fall 2026 Session B 8 Week session
06/29/26 - 12/04/26 12/07/26 - 01/31/27 Fall 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5350

|
This practicum provides community and public health nursing students the opportunity to implement population health programs. The emphasis is on working in the community setting to improve the health of communities and populations. The final 120 hours of clinical practice are required for completion of this practicum. The students will also focus on examining the implications of implementing population health programs. Students will evaluate personal leadership skills utilized to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based practices, quality improvement methods, outcomes measurement, and systems knowledge. All core and specialty courses must be completed before taking this course. (Prerequisites: PBHE520, PBHE527, PBHE550, and PBHE607)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/26/26 - 07/03/26 07/06/26 - 10/25/26 Summer 2026 Session A 16 Week session
03/30/26 - 09/04/26 09/07/26 - 12/27/26 Summer 2026 Session C 16 Week session
05/25/26 - 10/30/26 11/02/26 - 02/21/27 Fall 2026 Session K 16 Week session

Registered Nurses: Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree

Accelerate Your Learning Through Our Streamlined, Online Program

If you are a registered nurse with an unencumbered RN license, you may pursue both a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree and a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree through American Public University’s RN to MSN online program.

Receive Transfer Credit For Your RN License

Qualifying students may apply up to 90 total transfer credits toward this 147-credit nursing program. This includes the 30 transfer credits that the University awards for a current active, unencumbered RN license. 

The University may award additional transfer credit for the following:

  • Academic credit, including community college coursework 
  • Military service and education
  • Professional training and certification
  • Credit earned by examination
  • Government training
  • Public safety training
  • Prior learning through professional experience

View our transfer credit policy page for more information.

nursing students

Complete Undergraduate and Graduate-Level Nursing Courses

This 147-credit MSN bridge program combines BSN program and MSN program curricula. You’ll deepen your knowledge of nursing science, nursing theory, and advanced nursing practice.

As you progress through your undergraduate courses, you’ll gain a broad overview of professional nursing practice and how nurses can help promote meaningful change within the larger healthcare field.

Graduate-level courses, which comprise the master’s degree portion of this program, illustrate the function and importance of community and public health nursing. You’ll dissect impactful findings in nursing research and the resulting implications as they pertain to public health.

This Nursing Program Awards a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree—For Fewer Credits

A typical bachelor’s degree program consists of 120 credits, while most master of science in nursing programs require 36 credits. Pursuing each degree separately, therefore, requires a total of 156 credit hours.

However, American Public University’s accelerated RN to MSN online program makes it possible for registered nurses to earn both degrees for a total of only 147 credits. 

Additionally, as students progress through their BSN studies, three undergraduate courses are replaced with three master’s-level courses. These three master’s-level courses are charged at the undergraduate tuition rate, saving students time and money.

Students are also granted up to seven years from the start of their first nursing (NURS) course to complete this program, allowing time to take a break from coursework, if needed. 

A BSN degree is conferred upon successful completion of 120 credits, allowing students to achieve an academic milestone should they need to pause their studies. 

nurse

Deepen Your Nursing Education With a Concentration in Community and Public Health Nursing

There is an undeniable link between wellness, healthcare, and culture. Community and public health nursing are two essential fields that explore this link. Each nursing practice is dedicated to guiding and defining patient care on a large scale.

Nurses who serve in community and/or public health largely focus their efforts on the well-being of populations. They work to support health promotion and disease prevention measures. Community and public health nurses may advocate for underserved populations, high-risk groups, or even the general public.

Build on Your Clinical Experience and Become an Agent of Change

The community and public health nursing degree concentration equips RNs with a “bird’s-eye view” of health care within our society. Students in this MSN program analyze the value evidence-based practice brings into the professional nursing field. Classes provoke discussions around health promotion and opportunities to help alleviate health disparities in today’s climate. 

Nursing and health innovation are examined through the lens of social justice advocacy. Learners will consider public health needs, healthcare policy, and potential solutions to meet the growing need for accessible, quality care in our post-pandemic world. 

Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

American Public University is part of American Public University System, which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Additionally, these programs hold specialty accreditation. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at American Public University System are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). 

Why Accreditation Matters

Nursing education programs, inevitably, vary from one university to the next. Pursuing your master of science in nursing at an accredited institution helps ensure the advanced education you receive is in alliance with comprehensive and rigorous standards set forth by the accrediting agency.

CCNE’s assessment and evaluation strategies focus on key aspects of nursing education, which include curriculum development, faculty credentials and qualifications, program objectives and outcomes, and educational resources provided to the University’s students.

CCNE accreditation further signifies our University’s ongoing commitment to quality improvement and academic integrity.

When nursing programs choose to undergo the accreditation process, they’re basically saying, ‘We are committed to quality—and, not only quality now, but continuous quality improvement.
Dr. Stacey Malinowski
 DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN/K, PCCN, CNE
Associate Dean and Chief Nurse Administrator, School of Health Sciences

Curriculum Highlights

The Community and Public Health Nursing concentration is designed for the socially conscious RN. You’ll evaluate healthcare systems while paying close attention to health care policies. Your studies will also focus on how social determinants of health influence the health and wellness of a community or population, examining the degree to which patient care can be advanced. Health assessment strategies and methods for determining a population’s unique needs are explored as well. 

This curriculum helps to foster critical-thinking and decision-making skills. You’ll study ethics in nursing, informatics, technology, epidemiology, and the role of the master’s-prepared nurse as a community leader. 

As you progress through this accelerated RN-MSN program, you’ll first complete your BSN before you begin working towards your MSN graduate degree.

 

   

Why Earn Your Degrees in Nursing Online? 

American Public University’s BSN and MSN programs are structured with working professionals in mind. While some coursework does require in-person activity, most nursing courses are completed online and have no set login times. Similarly, general education courses and electives for this program are completed entirely online.

 

Our Online Class Structure 

Online general education and elective courses begin monthly, and online nursing courses begin every other month. 

Students enrolled in online classes at American Public University will complete weekly assignments and routinely engage in discussion forums with classmates and faculty. Courses have no set login times and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. 

"On weeks when we don’t have discussions, the students are doing different types of assignments. We try to blend those, so they’re not just writing an essay every other week. We have students go out and do interviews. They may be, literally, visiting service centers. They may be doing a windshield survey in the community and driving around to see how their community fits in with social determinants of health. We try to have a good variety throughout the curriculum of the different assessments that we use,” according to Dr. Stacey Malinowski, associate dean and chief nurse administrator.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Bachelor’s-level nursing education at American Public University takes a holistic approach to the discipline. You will begin studying the Community and Public Health concentration when you begin taking courses for your master of science in nursing.

Community health nurses typically work outside of a hospital setting. These nurses focus on the health care of individual patients within specific communities or groups. 

A community health nurse may work for the state, a county health agency, a doctor’s office, or even a local public school system.

The American Public Health Association offers the following definition for public health nursing: “Public health nursing is the practice of promoting and protecting the health of populations using knowledge from nursing, social, and public health sciences.”

Public health nurses focus proactively on the health care of the general public. They apply nursing research to health promotion initiatives and work to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Public health nurses may work with individual patients on occasion, but their primary focus is on achieving—and maintaining—wellness among larger populations.

A public health nurse may work for a local or state agency, or a federal agency, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

An RN-MSN program enables a registered nurse with an unencumbered RN license to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in less time than it would take to pursue each degree separately.

For American Public University’s program, actual time to completion will be based upon transfer credit evaluation and eligibility and the number of courses taken per session. The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to the policies outlined on our transfer credit webpages.

An RN to MSN degree program may be suitable for an individual who currently holds an active, unrestricted RN license and would like to acquire advanced education. A master of science in nursing degree program provides the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge of the nursing field.

If you hold an associate degree from successful completion of an ADN program–and you possess a current, unencumbered RN license–then you may be eligible to enroll in an RN-MSN program.

The answer depends on the university and program you choose to attend. Some universities offer RN-MSN degree programs that do not award a separate bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

American Public University recognizes the hard work and dedication of students in our RN-MSN program by conferring a BSN degree upon successful completion of 120 credits. (The MSN is subsequently awarded after successful completion of the entire 147-credit program.)

No. The NP designation signifies that someone is a nurse practitioner. As the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®1 explains, “To become an NP, one must be a registered nurse (RN), hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), complete an NP-focused graduate master’s or doctoral nursing program and successfully pass a national NP board certification exam.”

Nursing professionals may wish to consider several types of nurse practitioner specialties, including the FNP (family nurse practitioner), PNP (pediatric nurse practitioner), and PMHNP (psychiatric nurse practitioner), among others.

1American Association of Nurse Practitioners® is a registered trademark of American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Inc.

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Next Courses Start Jul 6
Register by Jul 3
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Admission Requirements

This program has specific admission requirements.This program is currently not open for admission to residents of Washington, D.C., or Washington state.

To apply to this program, you must hold the following:

  • Associate degree or diploma from an accredited or board approved institution in nursing
  • Current, active, unencumbered U.S. registered nursing (RN) license in a state where practicums will be conducted.
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Signed statement of understanding
  • Current resume/CV
  • 500-600 word statement of purpose and goals for graduate education*

*Writing style should be scholarly and coherent with no grammatical errors. Provide in 500-600 words a description of relevant work experience, clearly articulated reasons for applying to the master’s program, and long-term goals or professional career aspirations.

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation including a legible copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (civilian students) or government-issued JST or CCAF transcript (military students).

A university admissions representative will contact you via email or phone to assist you with the enrollment process, review your nursing license and documentation, and notify you when you have been admitted into the program and may register for courses.

Note: You must complete this program within 7 years of starting your first nursing (NURS) course.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at American Public University System are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Materials Cost

Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal out-of-pocket costs associated with earning this degree. Additionally, thanks to the University Book Grant, all undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students will receive no-cost ebooks. A hard-copy textbook is provided if an ebook is not available.

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.