FAQs

Jesuits have been educating people since 1540. Gonzaga was founded in 1887 and continues to pursue a mission of educating leaders with the capacity for reflective and critical thought. Gonzaga’s master’s programs offer you the opportunity to pursue a degree that strives to educate the whole person: intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

Gonzaga University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The baccalaureate, MSN, and DNP programs at Gonzaga are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

In many cases, the RN to MSN program will allow you to obtain a graduate degree in less time than completing a BSN and MSN program separately. This is a great option for nurses who are looking for an increase in salary as well as career advancement.

There is no BSN step out in the program. The final degree will be a Master of Science in Nursing.

The MSN in Nursing Leadership in Healthcare will prepare you to apply for the DNP program at Gonzaga University.

Most students who attend full-time are able to complete the RN to MSN program within three years.

You must complete the RN to MSN program within five years of starting the master’s-level courses at GU.

Graduates of the RN to MSN program can request a verification of education (VOE) letter by emailing: voe@gonzaga.edu

We are happy to complete verification of education (VOE) forms throughout your career. Please email: voe@gonzaga.edu with your request.

The courses are online, but you will not have to log on at a certain time of day. You will complete 360 practicum hours in your area. There is also a required 2 day on-campus immersion during the last practicum course for this program.

The RN to MSN program does not use a cohort model. The program allows you the flexibility to slow down your progression plan as long as you complete graduate degree requirements within five years.

Full-time students will take the following five classes during the first year of the program:

PHIL 280: Persons and Conduct
NURS 320: Stats for Health Professions
NURS 406: Nursing Research
NURS 463: Community Health
NURS 464: Community Health Practicum

Yes, our program is designed for working professionals and the majority of students are able to continue working as they attend full-time.  However faculty highly recommends that you work part-time (maximum of 20 hours a week), once clinical hours begin. You will have the flexibility to adjust your progression plans.

The Student Services team is available to answer your questions and connect you to the resources you need. You will also be assigned a faculty advisor to help you meet your academic goals.

Online students have access to all of Gonzaga’s resources including:

• Foley Library
• IT Help Desk
• Career Center,
• Grad Student Association
• Disability Access
• University Ministry
• Practicum Requirements 

You will complete 180 practicum hours during the undergraduate Community Health Practicum course and 360 practicum hours at the graduate level.

The practicum hours in the Leadership track option provide opportunities for enhancing competency in communication, building effective relationships, creating healthy work environments, developing quality improvements, and managing financial operations.

We are committed to ensuring adequate and robust practicum experiences for our graduate students.

Clinical placements are secured through a process shared by staff, program directors, students, faculty and clinical agencies.  Our Clinical Placement Team is dedicated to helping students secure sites and preceptors, as well as with processing contract/legal documentation required to clear students for clinical placement.

As an initial step in the process, students will proactively engage with their local providers to identify potential preceptors.  The Clinical Placement Team will work with students to finalize clinical placements and preceptor experiences to meet course requirements.

The Department of Nursing maintains affiliation agreements with many facilities and providers across the western U.S. to support practicum learning experiences.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical sites and should include this cost when calculating and planning for their educational expenses and scheduling demands.

You are encouraged to find practicum locations outside of your current facilities in order to learn, grow and have additional networking opportunities.

With faculty approval, you can complete practicum hours in the organization where you are employed.

However, preceptors may not be your direct supervisor, practicum hours must be separate from worked hours and practicum experiences must be performed on units other than where you work.

The cost is competitive at $1,015* per credit for the graduate level courses and $915* per credit for the undergraduate level courses (bridge courses).

*Tuition rates subject to change.

As a graduate student you qualify for Federal Student Aid. This funding is not need based, follow the link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Gonzaga also offers payment plan options and other financial resources.

The School of Health Sciences offers scholarships every semester, funds permitting.

Gonzaga’s Financial Aid Office maintains a database of scholarships for students to access, search and apply for awards.

For NLH students we offer a 10% discount to active members of the military and their spouses, as well as to veterans.