- 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 hybrid DEMSN is built for career changers with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. The program combines online coursework with required on-campus skills labs and clinical experiences in the Pittsburgh area. 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
- Finish in as few as 20 months
- 77 credit hours
- $839 per credit hour
- Hybrid format combines online coursework with required on-campus skills labs and clinical rotations, with increased on-campus learning during the first semester
Learning Environment
La Roche’s DEMSN follows a progressive hybrid model across five accelerated semesters, combining online coursework with required on-campus skills labs and clinical rotations. Because nursing is a hands-on profession, students complete more on-campus instruction during the first semester (approximately four days per week) while developing foundational nursing skills. Campus attendance decreases substantially in later semesters, providing increased flexibility as students progress while maintaining the hands-on preparation required for professional nursing practice. Complete your Master of Science in Nursing in as few as 20 months.
Online Coursework
Complete a portion of your DEMSN coursework online as part of the program’s hybrid format. Online learning is paired with required in-person labs, simulations, and clinical experiences. Students should plan for increased on-campus learning during the first semester, with campus attendance decreasing in later semesters. 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. New to Pittsburgh? Explore the city!
Course Topics for the Direct Entry MSN
Course delivery by semester is summarized below. Online course counts and required on-campus attendance vary by semester; on-campus days are approximate. Course-by-course online versus on-ground designations should be confirmed with La Roche before publication.
| Semester 1 – 15 credits | 1 online course | On campus 4 days per week | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 3 online courses | On campus 1 day per week | ||
| 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 | 2 online courses | On campus 2 days per week | ||
| 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 | 2 online courses | On campus 2 days per week | ||
| 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 | 4 online courses | On campus 1 day per week | ||
| 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 |
|
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.
On-campus housing is available for DEMSN students, with apartment-style suites, private bathrooms, laundry and exercise facilities, dining options, and 24-hour security. La Roche also advertises an on-campus housing grant of up to $5,000 that covers half of housing costs for the first two semesters for eligible students who choose to live on campus. The university’s current grant announcement specifies Fall 2026 DEMSN students; confirm eligibility for future cohorts before publishing. Learn more
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 hybrid Direct Entry MSN program today!
Still have questions about the program?
Visit our FAQ page, a curated list of questions and answers designed to address students’ top questions about the hybrid DEMSN program at La Roche University.