Nursing Degrees & Pathways

• 3-semester minimum certificate program with a total of 40 credits
• Competitive application process for Spring semester acceptance into core program after completing prerequisite courses
• Prerequisite courses can be completed fully online
• If accepted into the core program, nursing courses are online, clinical placement is in the area in which one lives, and 19 days in the Spring semester are required to be on the City College campus to complete labs
• This is an online distance program for Montana students- no out of state clinicals
• Upon certificate completion, graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN for licensure as Practical Nurse (LPN)

Work as LPN with ability to further nursing education and career through ASN if desired

• 5-semester program minimum to complete the degree
• Competitive application process for a Fall or Spring semester acceptance into core program after completing prerequisite courses
• Degree consists of prerequisite and other general education courses, nursing courses and clinical experience for a total of 72 credits
• Upon degree completion, graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN for Registered Nurse licensure

Work as RN and/or seek direct entry into RN to BSN Degree Completion Program

• Students may begin taking courses towards their BSN completion once accepted and enrolled in the core ASN Program. This Nursing 2+1 option will allow students to take certain courses from the RN to BSN program during their ASN program if they so choose. 

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree completion for ASN graduates 
• Concurrent enrollment option available to students enrolled in an Associate Degree RN program
• The expectation is students will take the NCLEX-RN exam upon completion of the ASN degree (this must be accomplished in order to graduate from the RN to BSN degree).
• The focus of this program is additional education in management, leadership, health policy, and research
• Rolling application each semester to enter program
• Program consists of three semesters of online courses and two courses that have clinical mentored hours in the community one lives/works
• Format of program is conducive for a working RN.
• This degree is a total of 49 credits.

• 2 year minimum program that includes general education, pre-nursing required courses, and elective credits
• Upon completion of these courses one can earn an AS General Studies degree for a total of 60-62 credits
• This program provides the required prerequisite courses to apply to MSU Bozeman’s BSN program or other BSN programs outside of MSU Billings

Apply for transfer and competitive application process for entry

MSU Bozeman’s Traditional Bachelor Science in Nursing- Registered Nursing

• Additional 2 years to complete BSN degree
• Fall and Spring semester placement through competitive application after completing prerequisite courses
• 5 placement sites - Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, Great Falls, and Kalispell
• Program consists of upper division nursing courses and clinicals
• This degree is a total of 120 credits including the 60-62 pre-nursing credits
• Upon degree completion, graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN for Registered Nurse licensure

Montana State University Nursing – Bachelor of Science in Nursing