Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Concentration Online

Prepare to teach the art and science of nursing in a variety of settings by earning your master's in nursing education, with 100% online coursework, from NKU.

Apply by 1/3/25
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Preview the MSN in Nursing Education program

The Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Concentration online program at Northern Kentucky University is designed to prepare you to teach in nursing schools, hospital education settings, and patient education programs. In this online master's in nursing program, you will have the opportunity to apply instructional theory and teach content to nursing students, practicing nurses, and patients.

The nurse education curriculum emphasizes the development of expertise in teaching clinical nursing for a variety of educational settings; it includes didactic, online, simulation, and research-based methods of instruction. Core coursework focuses on fundamentals of theory and research for evidence-based practice, analysis and application of health data for advanced nursing practice, and healthcare policy, economics, and population health.

In this online MSN – Nursing Education program, you will:

  • Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
  • Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
  • Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations including patients and providers
  • Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
  • Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level
  • Critically analyze data for practice by integrating knowledge from arts and sciences within the context of nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation
  • Use evidence-based practice to demonstrate advanced levels of clinical judgment, systems thinking, and accountability while implementing change to improve healthcare outcomes
  • Integrate nursing science, educational frameworks, health policy, professional values, and principles of business to implement initiatives that facilitate the highest level of advanced nursing practice
  • Demonstrate sensitivity to diverse cultures and populations including patients and providers
  • Analyze one's own behaviors and institutional practices and policies for coherence with principles of caring
  • Apply effective communication in order to facilitate nursing practice at an advanced level

As a graduate of the MSN – Nursing Education, you'll be prepared for expanded educational nursing roles, such as:

  • Instructional or Administrative Nurse Faculty
  • Clinical Instructor
  • Clinical Nurse Educator Staff Development Officer
  • Instructional or Administrative Nurse Faculty
  • Clinical Instructor
  • Clinical Nurse Educator Staff Development Officer

Also available:

Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of nursing programs online. View our online healthcare programs.

Total Tuition $20,632
Program Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 33

Accreditation

CCNE Accredited

The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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Need More Information?

Call 800-985-7215

Call 800-985-7215

Tuition

Keep your budget on track with our affordable tuition

The MSN – Nursing Education Concentration online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.

Tuition Breakdown:

Total Tuition $20,632
Per Credit Hour $578
Niche Best Colleges 2024

Renowned for Quality Nursing Programs

Ranked among the “Best Colleges for Nursing in America” by Niche.com, 2023

Calendar

Stay up-to-date on key program deadlines

The MSN – Nursing Education online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.

SessionProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment Due
Fall 210/16/2410/3/2410/8/2410/11/2410/16/24
Spring 11/13/251/3/251/7/251/10/251/13/25
Spring 23/17/253/5/253/10/253/14/253/17/25
Summer 15/12/254/30/255/5/255/9/255/12/25
Summer 26/30/256/18/256/23/256/27/256/30/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 1/3/25
Class Starts 1/13/25
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Admissions

Follow this checklist to apply to the MSN – Nursing Education program

The admission process is the first step toward earning your MSN – Nursing Education degree online. Before you apply, please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state.

Admission Requirements:

  • 3.0 GPA or higher on undergraduate coursework
  • Current and unencumbered RN license
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse

MSN – Nursing Education Online Admission Requirements

  • Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
    • If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee; the fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
    • Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
  • Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
  • Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
  • 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
  • A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.

Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:

NKU Office of Graduate Education
302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099

[email protected]

Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.

Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.

If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.

Courses

Take a look at the MSN in Nursing Education online courses

For the MSN – Nursing Education online program, students must complete at total of 33 credit hours, which includes four core courses (12 credit hours), and seven concentration courses (21 credit hours). 200 clinical hours are required to complete the program.

Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examination, critique, and evaluation of the theoretical foundations of nursing practice. Appraisal of diverse scholarly resources to inform advanced nursing practice. Identification of a research problem with development of a research question.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the application and utilization of theories in nursing practice and research. Focuses on the cyclical nature of theory, research, and practice in healthcare settings. Integration of theoretical foundations into advanced nursing practice. PREREQ: MSN 600.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Understanding and analysis of health data for application to evidence-based nursing practice for public health, health promotion, clinical prevention, and population health. Emphasis is placed on the use of health data and the best evidence in the application and evaluation of recommendations to improve health outcomes. Prerequisite: Admission to the DNP program or permission of department; pre or co-req DNP 800 or MSN 602.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores health care issues, policies and economic factors influenced by technological, social, economic, and political factors; availability of and access to health care for varied populations; social distribution of health care, actions for dealing with health care dilemmas, federal and state regulatory programs, and health care financing will be examined.
Students must take the following courses:
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to build on existing knowledge of the nursing educator student in human physiology and pharmacologic principles and the relationship between the two as they relate to patient care.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An online and clinical course that focuses on the development of advanced skills in physical assessments for nurse educators. 50 hours of direct patient care hours required.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Characteristics and learning styles of diverse populations of healthcare learners are examined. A variety of teaching methods that can be utilized by healthcare providers to promote optimal learning in different education settings including the online environment are presented and analyzed. Pre-req: Senior Standing or admissions to MSN program
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Use and interpretation of student assessments, various testing strategies, psychometric analysis including test item analysis, performance evaluation, and course mapping for healthcare students.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Contemporary and traditional aspects of curriculum planning and design as applied to healthcare education will be explored. Various topics include philosophy, educational theory, learning objectives and outcomes, curriculum designs, and programmatic evaluations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is a review of educational philosophies, past and present, that influence educational practice. Primary focus is on those philosophies having the most influence on adult and healthcare education and on the development of a personal philosophy of education to guide everyday practice in an educational environment.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Practicum synthesizing content from all previous courses in the Nursing Educator Concentration; incorporation of nursing and educational theories; curriculum development, teaching and learning strategies; evaluation and assessment; the role of an educator; and EBP will be utilized to complete a comprehensive project within a selected educational setting. 150 hours clinical.

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