Nurse Educator Online Program

100% Online » MSN and Post-Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

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Kent faculty member works with a student in the skills lab

Kent State's Nurse Educator program will prepare you to teach, mentor, and develop both nursing students and practicing nurses.

There has never been a greater need for nurse educators. Currently, a nationwide shortage of nursing faculty is compounding the overall nursing shortage. According to a fact sheet released by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), nursing schools denied over 75,000 qualified applicants in 2018, in part due to the faculty shortage.

The Nurse Educator concentration allows students to develop in-depth knowledge and expertise in selected areas of nursing practice and the role of the nurse educator. Emphasis of the nurse educator role focuses on best practices in curriculum development, instruction, and evaluation that will prepare students for teaching within a variety of learning environments in academic and staff professional development settings.

Students engage in individualized practicum experiences (300 practicum hours) where they apply content learned throughout the graduate curriculum in both their area of nursing practice (150 hours) and the nurse educator role (150 hours).

Employment opportunities are available to graduates in academic settings, as well as the practice setting in areas such as professional staff development.

Why Kent State? We offer you:

  • Expert faculty. Students receive faculty mentorship and advising from nationally Certified Nurse EducatorsCM, advanced practice nurses, and active researchers with decades of experience.
  • Excellent online courses. Classes are held 100% online and delivered by expert nurses via leading edge instructional technology.
  • Maximum flexibility. Start in the fall or spring semester and complete the program full or part-time.
  • Affordability. The program costs only $536 per credit hour, no matter where you live.*  (+ $12/credit hour for online classes and $10/credit hour online program fee for online programs.) 
  • Credibility. Kent State’s graduate program is recognized by employers and universities around the world for its excellence.
  • Hands-on learning. Students complete 300 practicum hours with qualified preceptors in the state in which they reside.

Meet the Faculty

Learn more about the Nurse Educator course instructors:

Photo of Tina Saunders

Tina Saunders
Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, GCNS-BC
Coordinator

Photo of Ann Ancona

Ann Ancona
Ph.D., APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE
Associate Professor

Photo of Marcy Caplin

Marcy Caplin
Ph.D., RN, CNE
Associate Professor

Proudly CCNE Accredited

CCNE Accredited

The Master of Science in Nursing at Kent State is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Kent State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Kent State: An NLN Center of Excellence

NLN Center of Excellence Seal

Kent State University is a three-time designated Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (2013-2017, 2017-2022, 2022-2026). We are recognized in the "Advancing the Science of Nursing Education" category for our dedication to innovative and evidence-based nursing education.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Acquire educational eligibility to meet standards for advanced practice certification or other advanced professional distinction.
  • Acquire competencies based on professional standards to assume advanced roles in nursing, and for leadership and career advancement, including doctoral study.
  • Communicate, integrate and apply advanced nursing knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based, culturally sensitive nursing care and promote quality outcomes in nursing and health care.

* This program is only offered in select states. See the Admissions section for more information.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Kent State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Admission to the Nurse Educator Program

We invite you to apply if you meet the criteria for the degree in which you are interested:

Is the GRE required? The GRE is not required for this program.

International applicants: Under most student visas, international applicants are not eligible to complete online-based programs. We strongly encourage international applicants to discuss their eligibility with the Office of Global Education at +1-330-672-7980 or intladm@kent.edu prior to applying.

Tuition & Aid

A top-tier education at an affordable price.

As a public institution, we see it as our duty to offer the highest-quality education at a cost that is within the reach of students from all backgrounds.
Please visit www.kent.edu/nursing/students/tuition to learn more about tuition details.  

Financial Aid

At Kent State University, we try to make the financial aid process as simple as possible. Our financial aid services and scholarship programs help a wide range of students make their goals affordable. Financial aid options for Nurse Educator students include:

  • Tuition Reimbursement: Many employers will pay some or all of the cost of a graduate degree program. Talk with your human resources department to find out if you qualify.
  • Scholarships: Kent State University, the College of Nursing, and many nursing and health care organizations provide scholarship support for nursing students. See our Financial Aid & Scholarships page for more information.
  • Federal Loans and Grants: You may be eligible for federal and/or private loans and federal/state grants. Contact the One Stop for Student Services at 330-672-6000 for more information.

Payment Options

Learn more about payment options by visiting www.kent.edu/bursar/payment-options-overview.

Online Learning at Kent State

E-learning is unparalleled at Kent State University.

A laptop sitting on a desk near a bookshelf with the Kent State University logo overlayed on the screenKent State online students have access to the same resources as on-campus students, without ever stepping foot on campus. From applying to the program to applying for graduation, Kent State provides the tools to complete these tasks online.

Although there are no on-campus requirements, online students are more than welcome to visit our campus in Kent, Ohio (or take a virtual tour online). You will be invited to various events throughout your time at Kent State, including our pinning (Convocation) and graduation (Commencement) ceremonies.

Some of the benefits to earning your graduate degree online from Kent State include:

  • Courses developed by expert faculty and delivered via Canvas, industry-leading learning management systems (LMSs).
  • Small class sizes and individualized attention from nurse educators with decades of practical experience.
  • Innovative learning activities tailored to the online environment.
  • 24/7 technical support through Kent State’s TechHelp.
  • Tests and exams proctored virtually – no need to go to a testing center.
  • FlashLine, the university’s centralized portal system, will allow you to schedule classes, track your degree progress, schedule advising appointments, pay your tuition, and more right from your computer.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Kent State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Kent State University College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.  Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) concentrations within the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program and APRN Certificates, along with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-to-DNP) program qualify graduates to sit for national APRN certification and APRN licensure in Ohio.  States other than Ohio may have additional requirements to apply for or obtain an APRN license, including but not limited to specific state examinations, letters of recommendation, or proof of completion of an accredited nursing program. The College of Nursing is in the process of collecting information from all states and has not yet made a determination whether graduates from the Kent State University College of Nursing MSN, Certificate, and BSN-to-DNP programs meet the requirements for APRN licensure outside the state of Ohio.