Nursing Degree Programs
Saint Louis University’s Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing prepares students for professional nursing practice at baccalaureate, master's, post-master's and doctoral levels. Students will learn methods of interprofessional collaboration that are critical for caring for the whole person, the "cura personalis."
Applications to SLU nursing programs are reviewed holistically, meaning applicants are assessed by their unique experiences alongside traditional measures of academic achievement.
Become a Nurse
Pre-Licensure Programs
Traditional Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
SLU’s direct-entry Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is for students beginning college immediately after high school or students who will transfer from another university or community college. Our program allows for study abroad, offers clinical experience in numerous St. Louis area hospitals and provides access to our advanced simulation labs.
Accelerated One-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (A.B.S.N.)
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed for individuals who:
- Already have a bachelor's degree in another field and wish to pursue the nursing profession; or
- Are current undergraduate students with at least 71 credits (junior entry).
Upon completion of the program, graduates are fully prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and are equipped with the skills and hands-on experience to begin their nursing career. Saint Louis University is proud to have created the nation’s first accelerated BSN program (1971).
- Program Length: 12 months
- Admission Terms: Fall and spring
Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (A.M.S.N.)
SLU’s direct-entry Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program is designed to provide non-nursing individuals with a fast-tack into the nursing profession. Students who complete the program will earn their Master of Science in Nursing degree and will be prepared to sit for both the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification Exam.
- Program Length: 21 months
- Admission Terms: Fall and spring
Advance Your Nursing Career
Post-Licensure Programs
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-B.S.N)
The fully online Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is designed for students who are already registered nurses and would like to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The program requires no campus visits and provides students with personalized completion plans tailored to their needs.
- Admission Terms: Fall, spring and summer
Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner (M.S.N.-N.P.)
SLU’s online Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner program prepares students to become a nurse practitioner who can assess, diagnose, prescribe, treat and educate patients. The program offers the following specialty tracks:
- Adult-Gerontological Acute Care
- Family
- Primary Care Pediatric
- Psychiatric-Mental Health
The program provides the flexibility and support that working nurses require. Upon admission, students will meet with their faculty advisor to create an individualized degree completion plan suitable for their personal and professional schedules.
SLU’s M.S.N.-NP is highly respected across academic and professional nursing institutions. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks the program among the top in the nation.
- Program Length: Complete in as little as two years
- Admission Terms: Fall, spring and summer
Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader (M.S.N.-CNL)
The online Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader program prepares students for leadership roles across diverse health care settings. Students will gain expertise in quality improvement, clinical coordination and accountability for health outcomes, equipping graduates to be both a provider and manager of care. The program provides a seamless transition for those graduates interested in becoming a nurse practitioner upon the completion of their master’s program. The program provides the flexibility and support that working nurses require. Upon admission, students will meet with their faculty advisor to create an individualized degree completion plan suitable for their personal and professional schedules.
Saint Louis University is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our graduate programs among the top in the nation.
- Program Length: Complete in as little as two years
- Admission Terms: Fall, spring and summer
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-Baccalaureate (B.S.N.-D.N.P.)
SLU’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-Baccalaureate program is a practice-focused doctoral degree prepares nurses to become expert clinicians, leaders in health policy and catalysts for improved health care delivery. The program addresses the growing need for doctorally prepared nurse clinicians, scholars and educators. The program offers the following nurse practitioner specialty tracks:
- Adult-Gerontological Acute Care
- Family
- Primary Care Pediatric
- Psychiatric-Mental Health
The program provides the flexibility and support that working nurses require. Upon admission, students will meet with their faculty advisor to create an individualized degree completion plan suitable for their personal and professional schedules.
Saint Louis University is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our graduate programs among the top in the nation.
- Program Length: Complete in as little as four years
- Admission Terms: Fall, spring and summer
Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-Master’s (M.S.N.-D.N.P.)
The online Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-Master’s program is a practice-focused doctoral degree that educates nurses to become expert clinicians, leaders in health policy and catalysts for improved health care delivery within an inter-professional environment. The program offers two concentration options: advanced nursing practice and nurse executive leader. The program provides the flexibility and support that working nurses require. Upon admission, students will meet with their faculty advisor to create an individualized degree completion plan suitable for their personal and professional schedules.
Saint Louis University is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks our graduate programs among the top in the nation.
- Program Length: Complete in as little as one year
- Admission Terms: Fall, spring and summer
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing – Post-Baccalaureate (B.S.N.-Ph.D.) and Post Master’s (M.S.N.-Ph.D.)
SLU’s Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program prepares nurses as scholars and beginning nurse scientists who will contribute to the continued knowledge development of the discipline and profession of nursing. Courses are offered on Friday mornings and afternoons with live class combining on campus and distance learning students.
The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report's Best Graduate Schools survey consistently ranks our graduate programs among the top in the nation.
- Program Length: Complete in as little as four and a half years
- Admission Term: Fall
Post-Master’s Certificate – Nurse Practitioner
The online Post-Master’s Certificate – Nurse Practitioner program is designed for students who already possess an MSN to pursue coursework for the nurse practitioner role. The program offers the following specialty tracks:
The program provides the flexibility and support that working nurses require. Upon admission, students will meet with their faculty advisor to create an individualized degree completion plan suitable for their personal and professional schedules. SLU’s nursing faculty are nationally recognized for student mentorship, teaching excellence, nursing leadership and scholarly research.
The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is renowned for excellence in nursing education. U.S. News and World Report's Best Graduate Schools survey consistently ranks our graduate programs among the top in the nation.
- Program Length: Complete in as little as one and a half years
- Admission Terms: Fall, spring and summer