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 individualized 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.
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.
Program Objectives
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.
Curriculum
First Year – Fall
HSAM6120 Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care
INFS6440 Advanced 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
EDUC6060 Curriculum 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, part-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.