The Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing offers graduate nursing programs at the Doctoral and Masters degree levels. Prospective students can choose between three Advanced-Practice tracks at the terminal nursing degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice, level, including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse-Midwifery options. Currently practicing APRNS can pursue our Post-Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice option.  

Our Master of Nursing program prepares graduates to be Certified Nurse Leaders. 

We also offer two certificate programs, including a Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate and a Nursing Education certificate. 

Receive your graduate nursing education while continuing to serve your community! 

The mission of the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing is to enhance the healthcare in our rural, native, and frontier communities, and beyond. To meet this mission, our graduate nursing programs are taught via a distance-delivery model so that our students can continue to serve their communities while receiving their graduate education.  

Didactic courses are taught primarily online via asynchronous instruction with three virtual synchronous intensive sessions a semester. All Doctoral programs have at least one in-person skills week requirement on the MSU-Bozeman campus, as well as in-person clinical preceptorships. Other in-person requirements vary by track. 

 

 

 

Expected Salary Range: 

$128,490 - $214,200

Annual mean wages according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for Nurses with specialized graduate education 

 

 

Learn more about each of our degree options below:

DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner Degree Option 

DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Degree Option 

DNP - Nurse-Midwifery Degree Option 

Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate Option 

Nursing Education Certificate Option

Masters of Nursing Degree

Post Masters Doctor of Nursing Practice 

 

Hear from our students:

Photo of student with quote, "As a student in MSU’s DNP Program, I have found the experience to be exceptionally enriching and supportive. The program not only offers a comprehensive curriculum but also fosters a nurturing environment where faculty and peers are deeply invested in each student's success. The collaborative atmosphere at the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing has played a pivotal role in enhancing my academic journey, my experience has not only deepened my expertise in nursing but also instilled a profound sense of confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully to the field."

photo of student with quote, "During my time in the FNP program at the Mark & Robyn Jones College of Nursing, I have been able to make incredible professional connections among not only precepting providers but also with my classmates.  I cannot overstate the high quality of the training in rural and underserved communities that MSU has helped connect me with. Additionally, the College offers Graduate Teaching Assistant programs to help cover cost of tuition, and help graduate students build connections with student nurses and other members of the College of Nursing Staff."

photo of student with quote, "The Psychiatric Mental Health Doctor of Nursing Practice Program has exceeded my expectations, challenging me while equipping me with the skills and knowledge to practice confidently and lead effectively. The curriculum aligns perfectly with my professional goals as a PMHNP, and I've always felt supported and valued as a student—the faculty's attentiveness and willingness to accommodate my needs enriched and empowered my experience at Montana State University."

 

FAQs:

We view clinical placement as a joint effort between the student and our Clinical Placement Manager. Students are asked to make initial efforts to find their placement, but support is available should they become unsuccessful. We can guarantee placement in Montana, although travel may be required depending on your location.  

All graduate programs are priced by credit. Here is a link to the current tuition and fee table for graduate students: https://www.montana.edu/ubs/studentaccounts/TuitionFeeCharts/Future-Fall-Spring/graduate.html  

This does not include program-related costs such as textbooks, health insurance, and clinical compliance tracking. Full-time students take anywhere from 9-12 credits per semester, and part-time students 6-9 credits per semester. 

Full-time DNP students will complete their degree in just over 3 years, and part-time students will complete their degree in just over 4 years. The programs run through Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. 

Yes! We offer nursing scholarships with an annual spring application for the following academic year. Graduate students can also work as Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and assist with undergraduate learning on each of our five campuses (Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Missoula). GTAs can have up to 6 credits of tuition waived each semester they teach, as well as a monthly stipend.

 

Intensives are 2-hour virtual sessions taught for every class 3 times a semester. Intensives are one of the synchronous teaching methods the MRJCON faculty use to actively engage with students and are led in a variety of ways including group project work, guest lectures, and more. Intensives are required for students to attend and are incorporated into the overall course grade. The intensive schedule is released months prior to the start of every semester for the student’s scheduling purposes.  

The DNP curriculum has a stronger focus on applying evidence-based practice to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Graduates will be well-equipped with the skill set to bring positive changes to their healthcare community. Additionally, DNP-prepared APRNs are also often eligible for higher pay compared with MN-prepared APRNs.

Need more information? Please reach out to: 

Dr. Jennifer Sofie

Graduate Campus Director

Dr. Jennifer Sofie, DNP, ANP-BC, FNPC 

Jennifer.sofie@montana.edu