Programs

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Nursing Education

Nurse Educators play a vital role in developing the next generation of nurses. In the distance-accessible (within Indiana) Nursing Education track, you will learn from nationally recognized faculty experienced in preparing both novice and experienced educators to:

  • Design evidence-based nursing curriculum
  • Develop innovative, effective teaching strategies
  • Evaluate student learning
  • Utilize best practicies in the field of nursing education

U.S. News & World Report ranked our program #4 in the nation in its 2021 Best Online Programs rankings.

The Nursing Education track prepares you to launch a career as a nurse educator in a variety of healthcare contexts or settings:

  • Community colleges
  • Universities
  • Hospitals
  • Community health agencies
  • Private industry
  • Privately supported educational institutions

For Nurse Educators pursuing a career as a nursing faculty member, IUSON participates in the federal Nurse Faculty Loan Program which provides up to 85% loan forgiveness for service as a nursing faculty member at an accredited school of nursing.

Certification
As a graduate of this program, you are eligible for certification through the National League for Nursing as a Certified Nurse Educator.

Curriculum
42 credit hours
225 clinical/practicum hours

MSN Core Courses (22 Credit Hours)
  • N502 Nursing Theory I (3 cr)
  • N504 Leadership for Advanced Nursing Practice (3 cr)
  • R500 Nursing Research Methods (3 cr)
  • R505 Measurement & Data Analysis (3 cr)
  • Y515 Advanced Pathophysiology Lifespan (3 cr)
  • Y612 Advanced Pharmacology Lifespan (3 cr)
  • Y625 Advanced Physical Assessment Lifespan (4 cr)
Nursing Education Track Courses (20 Credit Hours)
  • T601 Advanced Nursing Education (4 cr/75 clinical hours - direct patient care)
  • T604 Curriculum in Nursing (3 cr)
  • T620 Computer Technologies for Nurse Educators (3 cr)
  • T618 Evaluation in Nursing (3 cr)
  • T680 Nursing Education Practicum (4 cr/150 teaching practicum hours)
  • Elective (3 cr)

Review the course descriptions.

Curriculum Delivery
  • Courses follow a traditional 16-week semester format; summer courses run across both summer sessions for 12 weeks.
  • MSN Core Courses (22 credits) are primarily taught online, with the potential for some synchronous class sessions. Synchronous sessions are able to be attended either in-person or via videoconferencing technology. Y625 Advanced Physical Assessment includes five on-site lab days that must be attended in-person.
  • Nursing Education Courses (20 credits) are distance-accessible courses that combine online coursework with optional synchronous sessions that can be attended via videoconferencing technology. Additional optional on-site learning activities may be provided as well. 
  • Clinical/practicum experiences can be completed in your home community within Indiana and are arranged cooperatively between students and faculty.
  • Please see the Nursing Education Track Guide for more details on course formats and sample plans of study.
Admission Timeline
  • Admission to the Nursing Education track is offered for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
  • Application deadlines:
    • Fall Start: July 1st
    • Spring Start: November 15th
    • Summer Start: March 15th
  • Admission notifications are sent out approximately three to four weeks after your completed application (including transcripts and recommendations) is received.
  • You can find detailed application instructions by clicking the Apply Now button at right.

Learn more about Nurse Educators

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