Nurse Educator Online

A Kent State nurse educator demonstrates a simulated birth to a class of BSN students

Kent State's Nurse Educator master's concentration 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 MSN concentration gives students the advanced nursing knowledge in curriculum development, instruction and evaluation for traditional and online learning in academic and staff development settings. Emphasis is placed on the application of educational theories and principles in curriculum development and evaluation and acquisition of skills in role development as a nurse educator.

Students complete a total of 300 practicum hours which provide them with opportunities to build in-depth knowledge and expertise in curriculum development, instruction, and evaluation for traditional and online learning in academic and staff development settings (150 hours) as well as within their specialty area of nursing practice (150 hours).

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

Graduates of this program meet educational eligibility requirements to take the NLN Certified Nurse Educator^CM (CNE) examination.

Why Kent State? We offer you:

Faculty mentorship and advising from nationally Certified Nurse Educators^CM, advanced practice nurses, and active researchers with decades of experience
100% Online courses
Full- and part-time customizable academic plans
Fall and spring semester start dates
Academic quality at a reasonable educational cost
Educational experiences tailored to your experience and goals

Admissions Criteria

We invite you to apply to the MSN program if you meet the following criteria:

Bachelor's and/or graduate degree from an accredited registered nursing program.¹
Minimum 3.000 undergraduate/graduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale. ²
The completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a minimum C grade.
Active, unrestricted registered nurse license in the state in which clinical coursework will be completed.

Additional Requirements

A résumé or curriculum vita.
Essay (2-3 pages) describing reasons for seeking the master's degree in the identified specialty and professional goals.
Three letters of reference from a health care professional or academic faculty who can speak to the applicant's professional and academic abilities.
English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 560 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 83 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 78 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
- Minimum 55 PTE score

Admission to the MSN degree is a selective process. In the selection process for applicants, program faculty will consider years of registered nurse experience, professional experience relevant to the specific MSN concentration and evidence of scholarship and involvement in the nursing profession as indicated on the applicant's résumé, along with GPA and intent for full-time study.

1. Applicants with an RN license and a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field will be considered based on faculty review of a portfolio submitted with the application.

2. Applicants with a lower GPA may be considered for conditional admission according to the University's Graduate Student Admission Policy.

Additional Requirements

Apply Now How to Submit Application Materials

Curriculum

The Nurse Educator concentration is 34 credit hours which includes 300 practicum hours.

Below you will find a sample curriculum plan for 2-year full-time students. Other options for part-time plans of study are also available.

Year 1

Fall Semester

NURS 60101: Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice / 3 credits
NURS 60601: Nursing Curriculum and Instruction in Higher Education / 3 credits
NURS 60045: Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses / 3 credits

Spring Semester

NURS 60403: Methods of Inquiry / 3 credits
NURS 60602: Roles and Evaluation for Nursing Curriculums in Higher Education / 3 credits
NURS 60607: Clinical Nursing and Education Issues in a Specialty Area (7 weeks – 1^sthalf)
NURS 60605: Nursing Education with Technology (7 weeks – 2^nd half) / 2 credits
NURS 67092: Clinical Nursing and Education Issues in a Specialty Area Practicum (150 hours) / 2 credits