- No BSN required
- Finish in as few as 20 months
Prepare for a Lifelong Nursing Career With Our Accelerated Master’s Degree Program
La Roche’s online DEMSN is built for career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. This skills-driven, patient-focused program covers 77 credits of health science theory, nursing leadership, research, and hands-on clinical training in a small, supportive environment.
Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and enter the profession as MSN-qualified nurses. La Roche’s DEMSN program achieved a 94.4% NCLEX-RN pass rate for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The DEMSN program at La Roche University is approved by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Program Facts
- Blended format includes online coursework, on-campus skills labs, and clinical rotations
- Finish in as few as 20 months
- 77 credit hours
- $839 per credit hour
Learning Environment
La Roche’s DEMSN blends online coursework, hands-on lab training, and clinical rotations across five accelerated semesters. Complete your Master of Science in Nursing in as few as 20 months.
Online Coursework
Complete a portion of your DEMSN coursework online, on a schedule that fits your life. Online components cover health science, pharmacology, public health, quality improvement, and nursing leadership.
Skills Lab & Simulations
Practice patient assessment, medication administration, clinical procedures, and emergency response in our on-campus simulation labs, guided by experienced nursing faculty in a safe, realistic setting.
Clinicals
Complete clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and care sites across Pittsburgh. These practicum experiences put you in direct contact with patients under the supervision of experienced preceptors.
Course Topics for the Direct Entry MSN
| Semester 1 – 15 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| NURG5101 | Professional Nursing Practice: Essentials | 3 Credits |
| NURG5103 & NURG5103C | Professional Nursing Practice: Fundamentals (incl. Clinical) | 5 Credits |
| NURG5105 & NURG5105L | Essentials of Pharmacology (incl. Lab) | 4 Credits |
| NURG5107 | Inquiry and Evidence in Professional Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
| Semester 2 – 15 credits | ||
| NURG5109 & NURG5109C | Professional Nursing Practice: Adult I (incl. Clinical) | 6 Credits |
| NURG5111 | Special Considerations of the Older Adult | 3 Credits |
| NURG5113 | Public Health and Epidemiology | 3 Credits |
| NURG5115 | Quality Improvement and Safety in Healthcare | 3 Credits |
| Semester 3 – 16 credits | ||
| NURG5117 & NURG5117C | Professional Nursing Practice: Adult II (incl. Clinical) | 5 Credits |
| NURG5119 & NURG5119C | Professional Nursing Practice: Mental Health (incl. Clinical) | 5 Credits |
| NURG5121 | Research Methods | 3 Credits |
| NURG5017 | Comprehensive Health Assessment | 3 Credits |
| Semester 4 – 16 credits | ||
| NURG5123 & NURG5123C | Professional Nursing Practice: Adult III (incl. Clinical) | 5 Credits |
| NURG5125 & NURG5125C | Professional Nursing Practice: Women and Children (incl. Clinical) | 5 Credits |
| NURG5127 | Health Promotion Across the Lifespan | 3 Credits |
| NURG5009 | Comprehensive Pathophysiology | 3 Credits |
| Semester 5 – 15 credits | ||
| NURG5129 & NURG5129C | Professional Nursing Practice: Comprehensive Nursing Practicum (incl. Clinical) | 3 Credits |
| NURG5131 | Nursing Leadership | 3 Credits |
| NURG5004 | Theory and Professional Nursing Practice | 3 Credits |
| NURG5007 | Comprehensive Pharmacology | 3 Credits |
| NURG5012 | Health Policy and Global Consideration | 3 Credits |
| Total 77 credits | ||
Built for Career Changers with a Bachelor’s Degree
- Application Deadline: 07/24/26
- Start Date: 08/24/26
To be considered for admission to the DEMSN program, applicants must meet all of the following qualifications:
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or greater* is required. *A GPA of 2.8-2.9 is still eligible but will require a score of 75% or higher on the TEAS. |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended. |
| Transfer Credits | Transfer credits are not accepted. |
| Official Test Scores | ATI TEAS composite score of 70% or higher and a score of 65% in the English Language and Usage section (taken within the last year). |
| Additional Requirements |
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Tuition & Financial Aid
- $839 cost per credit hour
- $64,603 total tuition
Earning your DEMSN at La Roche is an investment in a nursing career with strong long-term earning potential. At $839 per credit hour, the 77-credit program totals $64,603. Federal financial aid, private loans, grants, and scholarships may be available. Submit your FAFSA early using La Roche’s school code 003987 and contact our financial aid office for personalized guidance.
Career Outlook After Your DEMSN
La Roche’s DEMSN prepares you for nursing roles in hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community health settings. Your MSN foundation also positions you to pursue future certification as a clinical nurse leader, family nurse practitioner, nurse administrator, or nurse educator.
What You Will Learn
Our Direct Entry MSN program prepares you for nursing practice and leadership. As a La Roche University graduate, you will:
- Provide clinically competent care to patients of every age and from every background, including mental health patients.
- Practice compassion and respect for the dignity of patients, their families and your colleagues.
- Demonstrate the scholarly background necessary to conduct, evaluate and apply nursing research in the workplace.
- Apply knowledge of health care and nursing management principles to make significant, positive contributions to health-care teams and community health initiatives.
Ready to Get Started?
Take the next step toward your career in nursing. Contact a La Roche University admissions specialist about the online Direct Entry MSN program today!