Masters
Full-Time Only
Fall, Spring
In-Person
About the MN in Nursing at Loyola
The Master of Nursing (MN) program at Loyola University Chicago’s Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing prepares students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to enter the nursing profession through an accelerated, graduate-level pathway grounded in Loyola’s Jesuit values. Designed for career changers seeking a fast, high-quality route into nursing, the program equips students with the clinical knowledge, leadership foundation, and systems-level perspective needed to succeed as registered nurses in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
Built on more than 90 years of excellence in nursing education, the MN program emphasizes evidence-based practice, compassionate patient-centered care, and a commitment to social justice and health equity. Students learn to deliver care that honors the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—while developing the critical thinking, communication, and clinical judgment skills essential for professional nursing practice.
Program Structure
The 66-credit-hour program is completed over four semesters (16 months) and includes coursework in health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, adult health nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric mental health, population and community health, leadership, ethics, policy, and quality and safety in nursing practice. Students also complete extensive laboratory and clinical learning experiences across a continuum of care settings. This program is located at Loyola's Health Science Campus in Maywood, IL.
As part of the curriculum, students complete a 120-hour preceptor-based Professional Role Development experience within a healthcare agency, allowing them to apply classroom learning in real-world clinical environments while strengthening professional leadership and practice readiness.
International Student Notice
Please note that Loyola University Chicago is currently awaiting approval from the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20s for admitted students to this program. Once approved, we will be able to issue I-20s for international applicants to apply for an F-1 visa or to transfer their F-1 status to Loyola to study in this program. Until then, we cannot issue an I-20 specifically for this program. If your goal is to study on campus, we encourage you to explore our other Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing programs that are approved for I-20 issuance.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Nursing MN Degree?
The MN program at Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing is designed for students seeking a direct, graduate-level pathway into professional nursing. Combining rigorous academics with immersive clinical preparation, the program helps students build the confidence, adaptability, and leadership skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly changing healthcare environment.
- A graduate-level pathway designed for career changers
- A forward-thinking approach to nursing education
- Extensive clinical and hands-on learning
- Learn from experienced nurse educators and clinicians
- Built on Loyola’s reputation for nursing excellence
Created specifically for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, Loyola’s MN program offers an accelerated route into nursing that balances academic rigor with efficiency. The streamlined curriculum allows students to complete the program in just four semesters while earning a graduate credential and preparing for RN licensure.
Loyola’s curriculum incorporates healthcare technology and artificial intelligence throughout the student experience, helping future nurses understand the tools and innovations shaping modern healthcare delivery. Students explore how technology can support clinical decision-making, patient outcomes, and healthcare operations.
Students gain practical experience through laboratory instruction, simulation-based learning, and clinical placements across a continuum of care settings. The curriculum culminates in a 120-hour preceptor-based Professional Role Development experience within a healthcare agency, helping students transition confidently into practice.
Faculty bring academic expertise and real-world clinical experience into the classroom, helping students connect nursing theory to contemporary healthcare practice. Students benefit from close faculty engagement, mentorship, and individualized support throughout the program.
For more than 90 years, Loyola has prepared nurses recognized for clinical excellence, professionalism, and leadership in healthcare. The Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing continues to build on this legacy through innovative programming and strong outcomes for nursing students and graduates.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Nursing MN program.
Faculty and StaffNursing MN: Career Connections
Nursing continues to be one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand professions in the United States, with a projected national registered nurse shortage of more than 63,000 by 2030 and more than 885,000 RN job postings recorded in 2023 alone. Graduates of Loyola’s MN program are prepared to enter the workforce quickly with a graduate-level credential, strong clinical preparation, and leadership-focused training that supports long-term professional growth.
Graduates may pursue opportunities in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, community health organizations, residential care facilities, and healthcare systems. The program’s integration of healthcare technology and artificial intelligence also prepares graduates to navigate emerging innovations transforming patient care and healthcare delivery.
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for medical and health services managers and other healthcare fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Nursing MN program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Nursing MN learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2026-2027 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogNursing MN: Results and Skills
Graduates of Loyola’s MN program develop the clinical knowledge, leadership capabilities, and professional values needed to provide compassionate, evidence-based care in today’s complex healthcare environment. Grounded in Loyola’s Jesuit tradition and commitment to cura personalis, the program prepares students to care for the whole person while advancing health equity and social justice in diverse communities.
Through classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences, students gain skills in:
- Clinical judgment and evidence-based nursing practice
- Patient-centered care across the lifespan
- Health assessment and pharmacology
- Population and community health
- Quality improvement and patient safety
- Healthcare technology and informatics
- Leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Health policy, advocacy, and care coordination
- Ethical decision-making and social justice in healthcare
- Professional communication and therapeutic relationships
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition cost for the Nursing MN for cohorts beginning Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 totals $74,500 ($18,625 per term, four terms). Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing Financial Aid & Scholarships
Information about scholarships can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Nursing MN are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall: July 1
Spring: November 15
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Nursing MN include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
3.0 Minimum GPA
Interview for Admission
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Admission to the Nursing MN requires successful completion of the following courses within five years of entry into the program. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Required prerequisite courses include:
Microbiology with lab (3–4 credits)
Human Anatomy and Physiology with lab sequence taken at the same institution (6–8 credits)
Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology (3 credits)
Nutrition: Fundamentals of Nutrition or higher (2–3 credits)
Prerequisite Standing Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
Statement of Purpose Details
Please describe, in 500 words or less, your career goals in nursing, the alignment of your career goals with the mission of the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and the MN program, and your previous experiences that have prepared your for success in the program.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students. Please note that Loyola University Chicago is currently awaiting approval from the Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20s for admitted students to this program. Once approved, we will be able to issue I-20s for international applicants to apply for an F-1 visa or to transfer their F-1 status to Loyola to study in this program. Until then, we cannot issue an I-20 specifically for this program. If your goal is to study on campus, we encourage you to explore our other Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing programs that are approved for I-20 issuance.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Nursing MN program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY