Master of Science in Nursing Education

The purpose of this program is to prepare master’s level nurses who are skilled in fulfilling the educator role in nursing programs and/or in staff development roles. Nursing education requires nursing faculty and staff development educators prepared at the master’s level, who can serve as educators and leaders for the nursing profession. In light of the current nursing faculty shortage, there is a critical need for nurse educators who can promote the growth of nursing students and prepare new nurses to enter the profession. Nurses who complete the Master of Science in Nursing Education will be prepared to fill the educator role either in a traditional academic nursing program or in a staff development role.

Student Learning Outcomes

UPON COMPLETION OF THE MASTER IN NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAM, THE GRADUATE WILL:

  1. Engage in the scholarship of teaching to facilitate student learning, professional development, and socialization.
  2. Create an environment that promotes critical thinking and problem solving within the teaching-learning process.
  3. Use applicable educational principles, theory, and research to develop and implement teaching strategies that optimize student learning.
  4. Synthesize information from a variety of disciplines to develop strategies for change in nursing education and curricular development.
  5. Work collaboratively within the institutional environment and the academic community to function effectively as a nurse educator and leader utilizing professional, moral and ethical standards to practice.
  6. Integrate the values of respect, collegiality, professionalism, and caring to build an organizational climate that fosters the development of learners.
  7. Critically analyze and synthesize research to determine applicability to practice.
  8. Develop a research project or thesis pertinent to nursing education, disseminating scholarly work pertinent to nursing education.
  9. Contribute to professional nursing through advanced nursing education practice and professional involvement.
  10. Exhibit leadership behavior as a nurse educator as evidenced by enhanced self knowledge, cultural sensitivity, team dynamics, and systems thinking.
  11. Analyze the impact of community, societal, and professional trends in health care on nursing education.

Requirements

NURSING RESEARCH AND CORE REQUIREMENTS: 12 CREDITS

    • NUR501 Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Technologies (1)
    • NUR512 Theoretical Basis of Advanced Nursing Practice (3)
    • NUR602 Qualitative Research (2)
    • NUR603 Quantitative Research (2)
    • NUR604S Thesis/Project Introductory Seminar (1)
    • NUR604 Thesis/Project (3) — see below for pertinent information

SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS: 18 CREDITS

    • NUR504 Strategies and Theories in Education (3)
    • NUR513 Issues in Advanced Practice Nursing (2)
    • NUR522 Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology, Health Assessment, And Pharmacology (3)
    • NUR528 Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education (3)
    • NUR600 Curriculum Design and Implementation (3)
    • NUR620 Nursing Education Practicum (4) (includes 150 hours of teaching practice)

TOTAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS = 30 CREDITS

Program Delivery: Offered In-person, or online depending on program acceptance.

Thesis/Project

Students must complete 4 credits in either Thesis or Project.  The first of the 4 credits will be completed in NUR604S Thesis Introductory Seminar; the remaining 3 credits in either NUR604 Thesis/ Project.  The course may be completed over multiple terms of enrollment for a cumulative total of 4 credits.

Course Sequence

Access the course sequence for the MS, Nursing Education, from the Nursing Department web page or the Program Plans site on the Registrar’s web page.

Advanced Certificate Nursing Education

A post master’s certificate program is available for nurses who possess a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing degree. The purpose of this program is to enhance the student’s knowledge and skills in nursing education. This program would meet the needs of nurses who are already in nursing education positions without nursing education academic preparation. The program would help them to optimize their current job performance as well as to enhance their career potential. The program would also be useful for nurses who hold graduate degrees in clinical practice areas who are seeking nursing faculty positions and wish to enhance their credentials.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • NUR504 Strategies and Theories in Education (3)
  • NUR528 Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing Education (3)
  • NUR600 Curriculum Design and Implementation (3)
  • NUR620 Nursing Education Practicum (4) (includes 150 hours of teaching practice)

TOTAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS = 13 CREDITS

Program Delivery: Offered In-person, or online depending on program acceptance.

Certificate: Admission Requirements

This post-Masters certificate requires possession of a minimum of a Master of Science in Nursing.

Additional information relative to graduate Nursing programs:  Admissions Requirements; Course Repeats; Time Limitations; Requirements for Graduation – consult the Nursing Department web page or the Program Plans site on the Registrar’s web page.