Program Overview
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 33-credit-hour online 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 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
The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master's degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20001, 202-887-6791.
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Master of Science in Nursing degrees, an RN to BSN, a Post-Master's DNP, and several nursing certificates online. Check out our other online nursing programs.
Tuition
The MSN – Nursing Education online program offers the same affordable, pay-as-you-go tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. All fees are included in the total tuition cost. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify.
Tuition breakdown:
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Required Fees | Total With Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Concentration | $550 | $562 | $18,712 |
Contact your enrollment specialist for information on currently available tuition-saving offers. Offers cannot be combined. Tuition is subject to change at any time.
NKU is ranked #23 in the "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
Calendar
The MSN – Nursing Education online program is flexible and accessible, with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the calendar to find the most convenient start date for you and take note of associated deadlines.
Now Enrolling:
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2 | 06/29/20 | 06/17/20 | 06/22/20 | 06/25/20 | 06/29/20 | 08/14/20 |
| Fall 1 | 08/17/20 | 08/05/20 | 08/10/20 | 08/13/20 | 08/17/20 | 10/02/20 |
| Fall 2 | 10/14/20 | 10/01/20 | 10/06/20 | 10/09/20 | 10/14/20 | 12/04/20 |
| Spring 1 | 01/11/21 | 01/04/21 | 01/06/21 | 01/08/21 | 01/11/21 | 02/26/21 |
| Spring 2 | 03/15/21 | 03/03/21 | 03/08/21 | 03/11/21 | 03/15/21 | 04/30/21 |
Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from Northern Kentucky University?
Admissions
We've streamlined the admission process for the MSN – Nursing Education online program to make it easier for you to get started right away. Please review the Program Map to determine eligibility of this program in your state. RNs with a non-BSN bachelor's degree are required to complete two prerequisite courses (NRP 471 and NRP 472) for admission into the program. Requirements for admission include:
View full admission requirements
MSN – Nursing Education Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alumni 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 degree from an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited nursing program
- RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree may apply to the MSN by meeting all of the admission criteria in this section with the exception of the BSN. Additionally, you would be required to complete the following courses prior to beginning MSN courses:
- NRP 471: Concepts of Professional Nursing
- NRP 472: Nursing Research—or an equivalent undergraduate research course
- RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree may apply to the MSN by meeting all of the admission criteria in this section with the exception of the BSN. Additionally, you would be required to complete the following courses prior to beginning MSN courses:
- 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
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
In order to earn the MSN – Nursing Education online, students must complete 11 courses (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:
MSN 600: Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 602: Advanced Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice and Research
Duration: 7 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.
DNP 816: Analysis and Application of Health Data for Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP)
Duration: 7 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: MSN 602.
MSN 601: Health Care Policy and Economics in Population Health
Duration: 7 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:
MSN 613: Pathopharmacology for Nurse Educators
Duration: 7 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.
MSN 614L: Physical Assessment for Nurse Educators
Duration: 7 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.
CHP 500: Teaching and Learning in Healthcare Education
Duration: 7 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.
CHP 601: Assessment and Evaluation of the Healthcare Learner
Duration: 7 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.
CHP 602: Curriculum Development and Evaluation for Healthcare Programs
Duration: 7 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.
CHP 603: Role of the Healthcare Educator
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Topics and issues for the healthcare educator, researcher, and leader are examined. Selected issues affecting healthcare education will be explored.
MSN 670L: Nurse Educator Capstone
Duration: 7 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. Prerequisites: MSN 600, MSN 602 or DNP 800, DNP 816, and MSN 601. Co-requisites: MSN 613, MSN 614L, CHP 603.
Still Undecided?
See our MSN – Nursing Education FAQ page for more information.
