A group of thirteen women, some in white lab coats, are standing on steps inside a building with beige walls and columns. The women are smiling and posing for the camera. There are large wooden doors in the background.

Achieve the Highest Level of Nursing Education

The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) and Saint John’s University (SJU) have a distinguished, 40-year tradition of preparing strong, professional nurse leaders for contemporary nursing practice. Our graduate nursing programs are designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced roles in health care. Each of our programs offers the academic rigor and preparedness we’re known for, in a hybrid format that fits your life.

Our programs are approved by the Higher Learning Commission, and Minnesota Board of Nursing. The DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the MSN program holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

Three medical professionals, wearing white lab coats and stethoscopes, are examining a medical dummy lying on a hospital bed. One of them is demonstrating a technique while the others observe and learn. The setting appears to be a medical training facility.

Program Highlights

  • Guaranteed clinical placements
  • Electives for specialty practice areas
  • Eligibility to become board certified and licensed as a family nurse practitioner
  • Eligibility to become certified as a Nurse Educator and/or Nurse Executive
  • One-to-one mentorship for DNP project
  • Hybrid format, with 2-3 in-person visits to campus per semester
  • State-of-the-art classrooms that simulate real world patient needs and clinical settings
  • Leadership students eligible to sit for the AONL Executive Leadership Certificate and NLN Nurse Education Certificate
  • Discounted tuition available for CSB and SJU alums and CentraCare employees

4+1 Nursing Option

Registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree are in high demand. At CSB and SJU, we offer a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which includes clinical practice, in addition to courses that emphasize leadership and diversity. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to take your NCLEX-RN licensing exam and begin a registered nurse role in a specialty area of your choice.

Eligible seniors in our undergraduate program can complete a year of graduate work before finishing their undergraduate degree.

Contact the Graduate Nursing Program

Dr. Jennifer Peterson
Chair, Graduate Nursing Programs
320-363-5194

[email protected]

Program Accreditation & Regulation

The Department of Nursing adheres to the expectations of program accreditation and regulation. Programs are reviewed on a regular schedule (annually and every 5 or 10 years upon accreditation renewal).

Higher Learning Commission

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) serves as the regional accreditor to CSB and SJU. HLC reviewed and approved the graduate programs in nursing on July 16, 2021.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

The Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at the College of Saint Benedict in partnership with Saint John’s University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Board Approved

The College of Saint Benedict Bachelor’s to DNP with APRN concentration degree program is approved by the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

The College of Saint Benedict Master’s Degree in Nursing Program (delivered via distance education) holds pre-accreditation status from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation, located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20037. 202-909-2487. Holding pre-accreditation status does not guarantee that initial accreditation by NLN CNEA will be received.