The Nurse Educator M.S.N. online program prepares experienced nurses to teach in both academic and clinical settings. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based strategies for instruction, curriculum development, and student evaluation. Students learn to design course syllabi, create engaging presentations, and apply effective assessment methods. Two practicum courses provide hands-on teaching experience, requiring about 12 hours per week.
Program Features
- Prepares students to teach at the undergraduate nursing level
- 100% employment among our MSN Nurse Educator graduates over the past 10 years in a position with an education focus
- Practicums teach students cutting-edge methods in didactic instruction, virtual and face-to-face teaching, simulation, clinical instruction, test construction, curriculum development, program and course evaluation, and the role of the academic and clinical nurse educator
- Clinical outcomes and advanced clinical practice skills, including promoting and evaluating quality and safety, are highlighted throughout the program, in the classroom, as well as in the mentored clinical settings
Program Options
You can choose an accelerated track that takes about 16 months or a part-time option that spans two to three years. Both require 37 credits. For nurses who already hold a master’s degree in another specialty, a nine-credit post-master’s certificate in nursing education is also available. October 1st for admission into the spring semester and February 15th for admission into the fall semester. Incomplete applications after October 15th (for Spring entry) or March 1st (for Fall entry) will not be considered, no exceptions. Please contact the program director if you require an extension due to special circumstances, as these will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Careers
For over 50 years, Southern’s program has prepared graduates to incorporate professional standards to provide safe, evidence-based, and compassionate care of the highest quality to diverse populations. Employers readily recruit graduates from all of the nursing programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent through 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Nurses with Graduate Degrees Earn More
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses in 2021 was $75,330. With a master's degree or higher, you can expect to earn significantly more, with median salaries ranging from $100,000 to $120,000+. In addition to higher salaries, nurses with graduate degrees may have access to more advanced positions and opportunities for leadership and management roles. They may also be eligible for higher pay grades and more benefits such as tuition reimbursement, retirement plans, and healthcare coverage.
Typical Job Titles
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Primary Care Provider
- Advanced Practice Nurse
- Health Educator
- Nurse Researcher
- Nurse Supervisor
Admission Requirements
Applicants need to have completed a nursing program and hold an active, unrestricted RN license at the time of application. A BSN is also required, though applicants who hold a current RN license at the time of application, who are currently in an RN to BSN program and will complete their BSN by the end of the application cycle (i.e., will graduate in May for a Fall admission, or will graduate in December for a Spring admission) are eligible to apply. If admission is offered, it will be contingent upon the applicant completing their BSN degree as stated. In addition to the RN license and BSN degree, applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation (one from a former faculty member/educator and one from a professional colleague or a supervisor is preferred), the application essay, all transcripts following high school, and a copy of their CT nursing license. All materials for admission are submitted via the application portal of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, not the Nursing Department. Information on the application process can be accessed here. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, so please be sure to check on the status of your application frequently to meet all deadlines and requirements.
Retention and Progression
The student must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average each semester to remain in the program. All other University policies with regard to retention and graduation are applicable to the Nursing program. A grade of "B" or above must be achieved in each nursing course, or the course must be repeated. Only one course within the program of study may be repeated, and a grade of "B" (3.0) or better must be achieved on the second attempt. A student cannot withdraw more than once from the same course. If a student withdraws from more than two (2) courses in the program, the student must petition the MSN committee to request permission to continue in the program. All prerequisite requirements must be strictly adhered to for all courses. Each grade is included in the grade point average. Failure to receive a grade of "B" or 3.0 or higher when a course is repeated will result in dismissal from the program. If at any time the grade point average falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation.