News

IC adds online master’s in nursing

4.01.2022

Illinois College announced the addition of a fully online Master of Science in Nursing program, expanding the College’s current nursing education offerings to meet the needs of a critical and continuously growing profession.

Illinois College Online will begin offering a master’s of science in nursing degree in May. The fully online program offers concentrations in Leadership/Administration and Education. The program prepares future nurse leaders and educators through a flexible, student-centered online learning environment.

“The new online MSN program is an important addition to our curriculum,” said Catharine O’Connell, provost and dean of the College.  “It will meet a pressing community need with the educational quality Illinois College is known for and a flexible delivery mode. The program will prepare MSN degree-seeking nurses for multiple leadership roles in their communities.”

The master’s program is flexible and designed for working nurses looking to expand their impact in healthcare. The coursework is particularly suited for nurses wishing to advance to leadership positions and to ensure excellence in teaching and learning for the next generation of nursing students. 

Since Illinois College announced the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2020, the on-campus program has quickly grown to enroll more than 100 nursing majors and pre-nursing students. IC nursing graduates have a 100% placement rate before graduation.

The new degree joins IC’s existing online and on-campus programs available to students interested in exciting careers in the growing health care industry. The College offers four-year, on-campus programs in nursing, health sciences, and kinesiology and exercise science, as well as flexible online RN to BSN and healthcare management programs.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a burgeoning need for registered nurses and MSN prepared nurses in leadership and educator positions — a projected growth rate between 22% and 32% through 2030. The online master’s program offers students who graduate from either the on-campus nursing program or the online RN to BSN program a smooth transition to work toward their MSN.

Students in the online MSN program will learn the critical nursing skills that are in high demand and are guaranteed to Graduate READY for nursing leadership and educator positions. To learn more about earning a Master of Science in Nursing and other IC Online programs, visit online.ic.edu.

About Illinois College

Founded in 1829, Illinois College is a residential liberal arts college fostering academic excellence rooted in opportunities for experiential learning while preparing students for lifelong success. The college is located in Jacksonville, Illinois. With an enrollment of more than 1,000 students, the college offers over 50 undergraduate programs. In 1932, the society of Phi Beta Kappa established a chapter at Illinois College, and it remains one of only 11 in the state.

Illinois College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Visit www.ic.edu for more information.

Media Contact Information
Emily Titsworth '19, Writer
Office of Marketing and Communication
217.245.3219 | emily.titsworth@ic.edu