If you already hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing, RMU offers a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) with a concentration in nursing education to prepare you for a career as an educator in health care and academic settings.

This CCNE-accredited program is designed to provide maximum flexibility and support for individuals with busy professional lives. Courses are taught online.

Strong interdisciplinary courses and individual educationalized practicum experiences make this program attractive to the busy professional nurse.

The M.S.N. in Nursing Education will provide you with knowledge of the educational process and practical experiences that will prepare you to be an effective educator and leader. The curriculum combines strong interdisciplinary support courses in education and information science with focused nursing courses to develop expertise in teaching and presentation methods that incorporate the use of technology. 

Program Objectives - For Those Admitted Prior to Fall 2013

The M.S.N degree program prepares students to:

1. Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills in a specialized role.

2. Critically evaluate knowledge and theories from nursing and other disciplines for their contribution to nursing practice and education.

3. Demonstrate leadership activities to advance the profession of nursing.

4. Critically evaluate issues relative to nursing practice and health care in light of scientific knowledge and personal and societal values.

5. Analyze how health care delivery systems are organized and financed, and the effect on patient care.

6. Communicate clearly and succinctly in speech and writing.

Career Outlook

In addition to the nursing shortage, a national shortage of nursing faculty exists. In a recent survey of nursing programs, more than one-third of the schools cited faculty shortages as the reason for turning away qualified students. There is a tremendous need to develop strong nursing educators to resolve this faculty shortage and to provide educational programs in hospitals and communities. This rewarding and exciting career provides the opportunity to shape the future of nursing.

Curriculum 

First Year - Fall
HSAM6120     Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care
EDUC6010      Theories of Learning and Instruction
 
First Year - Spring
NURS6200      Research for Advanced Nursing Roles
NURS6230      Clinical Focus Seminar and Practicum I
 
First Year - Summer
EDUC6060      Curriculum Design and Assessment
6000-7000    Elective 

Second Year - Fall
EDUC6065      Educational Statistics and either
NURS6240      Clinical Focus Seminar and Practicum II
 
Second Year - Spring
NURS7400      Nursing Education Synthesis and Application
NURS7800      Nursing Education Seminar and Practicum III
 
Second Year - Summer
INFS6440        Advanced Health Care Informatics 
EDUC6610       Foundations of Online Teaching/Learning 

Program Objectives - For Those Beginning M.S.N. Graduate Courses in Fall 2013

The M.S.N degree program prepares students to:

1. Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills for the specialized role of the nurse educator.

2. Critically evaluate knowledge and theories from nursing and other disciplines for their contribution to nursing practice and education.

3. Demonstrate organizational and systems leadership in inter-professional collaborative practice.

4. Critically evaluate issues relative to nursing practice and health care in light of scientific knowledge and personal and societal values.

 5. Analyze the organization, structure, and financing of health care delivery systems and the effect on patient care and outcomes.

6. Communicate effectively in speech and writing.

7. Use information technology to promote effective healthcare system planning and evaluation.

8. Employ advocacy strategies to influence health care and health policy development.

New Curriculum - For Those Beginning M.S.N. Graduate Courses in Fall 2013

First Year – Fall                                                                                                                                                                     HSAM6120Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care                                                                                                INFS6440Advanced Health Care Informatics

First Year – Spring                                                                                                                                                                                     NURS 8050     Applied Statistics                                                                                                                                                    NURS6200      Research for Advanced Nursing Roles

First Year – Summer                                                                                                                                                                       EDUC6010 Theories of Learning and Instruction                                                                                                             EDUC6060Curriculum Design and Assessment

Second Year – Fall                                                                                                                                                                                    NURS7015 Advanced Physical Assessment and Pathophysiology                                                                                     NURS7020 Clinical Focus Seminar and Practicum (clinical practice)                                                                              NURS7010 Pharmacology for Nurse Educators

Second Year – Spring                                                                                                                                                                               NURS7080 Nursing Education – Clinical Teaching (clinical practice)                                                                              NURS7060 Nursing Education – Classroom Teaching (clinical practice )

Second Year – Summer                                                                                                                                                                           NURS 7040     Health Policy and Economics                                                                                                                                     EDUC6610      Foundations of Online Teaching/Learning

(Total 37 credits)

Program Format

The M.S.N. is a 37-credit, parti-time online degree program that can be completed in six semesters (two years) by taking two courses per semester.  Courses are offered in two eight-week sessions per semester.

Course Plan

Tuition - New online tuition

Please see our Tuition page for this semester's tuition rate.

Paying For Your Master's Degree

Click here for more information about paying for your master's degree.

Program Location

Offered online.

Admission Criteria

• Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university
• Minimum undergraduate QPA of 3.25
• Current unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse
• At least one year of work experience as a registered nurse
• If the undergraduate QPA is below 3.25, other credentials will be used to determine admissions eligibilty

Application Procedures

Admission to the M.S.N. program requires a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate QPA of 3.25, and at least one year of work experience as an RN. (If the undergraduate QPA is below 3.25, other credentials will be used to determine admissions eligibility.)

Applicants should submit the following credentials to the Graduate Admissions Office:

   1. A completed application and a non-refundable $35 application fee. Or apply online for free.
   2. Official undergraduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
   3. A copy of the applicant's RN license.
   4. A current résumé.
   5. Two letters of recommendation. (download recommendation form)
   6. A 300-word essay describing the applicant's career goals and reason for
       pursuing the M.S.N. degree.

Applicants also are required to participate in a personal interview with the nursing faculty.