MSN - Nursing Education 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.
Program Overview
Preview the MSN in Nursing Education program
Develop the knowledge and expertise you need to educate the next generation of nurses with the Nursing Education Concentration online program from Northern Kentucky University. This fully online program prepares you to teach in academic, hospital, and patient education settings, applying instructional theory as you teach nursing students, practicing nurses, and patients.
The nursing education curriculum builds your expertise in teaching clinical nursing across a range of educational environments, incorporating 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:
- Analyze evidence for practice to generate solutions utilizing clinical judgment and innovation within nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation.
- Develop person-centered care incorporating a systematic approach that integrates effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and engagement with families and communities.
- Integrate knowledge of socio-cultural and political contexts and health determinants to improve all populations' health.
- Integrate the principles of nursing science within advanced practice roles to develop and evaluate initiatives that enhance the highest levels of practice.
- Apply professional values, accountability, and responsibility to analyze, evaluate, and develop strategies that exemplify nursing practice's quality and safety levels.
- Collaborate in interprofessional communication and teamwork to enhance the health care system.
- Coordinate resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care across healthcare systems.
- Utilize information and communication technologies and informatics tools integrating best practices, regulatory standards, and ethical, legal, and social implications to enhance the quality of care while upholding professional and regulatory guidelines.
- Integrate professional values, accountability, and responsibility into advanced levels of nursing practice.
- Participate in personal and professional development that fosters resilience, self-advocacy, and well-being to promote leadership capacity and contribute to advancing the nursing profession.
- Analyze evidence for practice to generate solutions utilizing clinical judgment and innovation within nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation.
- Develop person-centered care incorporating a systematic approach that integrates effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and engagement with families and communities.
- Integrate knowledge of socio-cultural and political contexts and health determinants to improve all populations' health.
- Integrate the principles of nursing science within advanced practice roles to develop and evaluate initiatives that enhance the highest levels of practice.
- Apply professional values, accountability, and responsibility to analyze, evaluate, and develop strategies that exemplify nursing practice's quality and safety levels.
- Collaborate in interprofessional communication and teamwork to enhance the health care system.
- Coordinate resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care across healthcare systems.
- Utilize information and communication technologies and informatics tools integrating best practices, regulatory standards, and ethical, legal, and social implications to enhance the quality of care while upholding professional and regulatory guidelines.
- Integrate professional values, accountability, and responsibility into advanced levels of nursing practice.
- Participate in personal and professional development that fosters resilience, self-advocacy, and well-being to promote leadership capacity and contribute to advancing the nursing profession.
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.
Accreditation
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).
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.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – NED | $600 | $21,358 |
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time. Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
Tuition Breakdown:
A Best Value College
Ranked among the “Best Value Colleges in America” by Niche.com, 2026
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.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2 | 6/29/26 | 6/17/26 | 6/22/26 | 6/26/26 | 6/29/26 |
| Fall 1 | 8/24/26 | 8/12/26 | 8/17/26 | 8/21/26 | 8/24/26 |
| Fall 2 | 10/21/26 | 10/8/26 | 10/13/26 | 10/16/26 | 10/21/26 |
| Spring 1 | 1/11/27 | 1/2/27 | 1/5/27 | 1/8/27 | 1/11/27 |
| Spring 2 | 3/15/27 | 3/3/27 | 3/8/27 | 3/12/27 | 3/15/27 |
| Summer 1 | 5/10/27 | 4/28/27 | 5/3/27 | 5/7/27 | |
| Summer 2 | 6/28/27 | 6/16/27 | 6/21/27 | 6/25/27 | 6/28/27 |
Now enrolling:
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.
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 Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
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.
