MSN nurse educator students with professor in lab setting

Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator Online


Contribute to better patient care, outcomes and futures while also increasing your nursing credentials with an ACEN-accredited Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Educator.

Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25
Apply Now
Next Apply Date: 2/24/25
Next Class Start Date: 3/10/25

Program Overview


Shape the future of nursing with an online MSN – Nurse Educator degree

Are you ready to have a bigger impact on healthcare? The nursing shortage crisis isn’t due to a lack of qualified candidates; it’s because there aren’t enough credentialed faculty to teach them. Become an MSN – Nurse Educator and step up to a critical leadership role to create the next generation of nurses and to advance the expertise of current nurses. Learn how to teach effectively anywhere, from a traditional classroom to a hospital clinic or even online.

Combining 100% online coursework with interesting clinicals, this ACEN-accredited program is ideal for working nurses who want to teach. Combined with your relevant work experience, it’s the most direct path to becoming a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®). Using clinical experiences, evidence-based practice and advanced teaching pedagogy, you’ll learn how to incorporate clinical skills, informatics, and evaluation and assessment methods to deliver compelling educational content to diverse learners, such as experienced and novice nurses, patients and families.

An MSN – Nurse Educator benefits from a long rewarding career in hospitals and other healthcare settings. While some transition into an educator role in professional development, orientation or clinical education, others progress to teaching in a university setting. Others appreciate continuing their nursing practice without the time constraints and physical demands of a 12-hour hospital shift.

For state approvals, please consult the Program Map.

In this online nurse educator program, you will learn how to:

  • Synthesize theories and concepts to guide clinical judgment
  • Assist in providing primary care by performing standard procedure skills
  • Conduct both physical and differential diagnoses to determine appropriate treatment
  • Work with patients and their families to develop plans to maintain/improve health and manage/treat illnesses and chronic conditions
  • Develop patient-centered care that respects diversity and unique characteristics of individuals and populations
  • Assume leadership and collaborative roles in planning, providing and managing healthcare services
  • Work within complex health systems and diverse populations to effect safe, cost-effective quality healthcare
  • Apply unique skills, such as radiology interpretation, tele-health practices, and dental health
  • Demonstrate professionalism and accountability to ethical and legal standards
  • Utilize information systems and technology to evaluate patient care programs, outcomes and systems
  • Synthesize theories and concepts to guide clinical judgment
  • Assist in providing primary care by performing standard procedure skills
  • Conduct both physical and differential diagnoses to determine appropriate treatment
  • Work with patients and their families to develop plans to maintain/improve health and manage/treat illnesses and chronic conditions
  • Develop patient-centered care that respects diversity and unique characteristics of individuals and populations
  • Assume leadership and collaborative roles in planning, providing and managing healthcare services
  • Work within complex health systems and diverse populations to effect safe, cost-effective quality healthcare
  • Apply unique skills, such as radiology interpretation, tele-health practices, and dental health
  • Demonstrate professionalism and accountability to ethical and legal standards
  • Utilize information systems and technology to evaluate patient care programs, outcomes and systems

As a graduate of this online nursing program, you will be prepared for leading nurse education roles, including:

  • Nursing Faculty in the academic setting
  • Patient Educator
  • Clinical Educator
  • Program Manager
  • Military Nursing Educator
  • Hospital Educator
  • Nursing Faculty in the academic setting
  • Patient Educator
  • Clinical Educator
  • Program Manager
  • Military Nursing Educator
  • Hospital Educator

Also available:

A-State offers a variety of graduate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online graduate programs.

Total Tuition: $10,880
Program Duration: As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 32

Accreditation

Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-621-8096

Call 866-621-8096

Tuition


Affordable tuition makes it easy to advance your professional development

Our MSN – Nurse Educator online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.

Tuition breakdown:

Per Credit Hour: $340
Total Tuition: $10,880

Calendar


Save these dates. Apply today!

Ideal for working nurses, Arkansas State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format with multiple start dates each year.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring 11/13/2512/16/2412/18/241/2/251/10/252/28/25
Spring 23/10/252/24/252/24/252/28/253/7/255/2/25

Now enrolling:

Next Apply Date 2/24/25
Start Class 3/10/25

Have questions or need more information about A‑State online programs?

Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?

Admissions


See the qualifications for our online nurse educator degree

We know you're busy, so we've streamlined the A-State admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Students who are interested in the MSN – Nurse Educator online program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online application
  • BSN degree
  • Current unencumbered RN license

  • Complete online application and submit application fee
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program of nursing from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Official transcript(s) submitted by the registrar of any college/university you have attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
  • Current unencumbered RN license
  • NCLEX-RN exam passing scores must be provided by end of first semester

Additional Information

As part of the student’s file, the following information is required to be completed prior to starting the first course (or the applicable course):

  • A background check completed within the last 12 months
  • This document is not required to render an admissions decision.

English Proficiency Requirements

This program requires a high level of English proficiency to meet academic and clinical objectives, along with meeting the criteria for licensure. You may be required to provide proof of English proficiency per A-State School of Nursing English Proficiency Standards. Additionally, if you’ve ever attended a professional program in the past, you may be required to provide a letter of good standing.

Meeting the admissions requirements does not guarantee admission. Students will be admitted based on space availability.

International Students

Students from non-English speaking countries or for whom English is not a native language must take one of the following tests:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 83 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT), 570 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 and a spoken band score of 7
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a score of 56

  • Request all official transcripts be sent directly to A-State from all colleges or universities attended. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.

    Submit all documents to:

    A-State Online
    P.O. Box 2520
    State University, AR 72467


    Fax: 870-972-3548
    Email: [email protected]

    Recognized as a Leader in Nursing Education

    A-State is ranked among the "Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas" by U.S. News & World Report, 2024

    Courses


    Explore the courses in your MSN – Nurse Educator program

    Students in the MSN – Nurse Educator online program must complete a total of 32 credit hours. Required coursework includes 10 core courses (29 credit hours) and one practicum course (3 credit hours that includes 180 clinical hours). The practicum/clinical hours must also be done in a state in which Arkansas State has State Operating Authority. Please consult the Program Map for state approvals.

    Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this degree.

    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Analysis and critical evaluation of nursing research appropriate to the study of nursing phenomena. Students develop a research proposal. Prerequisite, Undergraduate research.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Examines the process of theory development in nursing and facilitates formation of a conceptual basis for advanced knowledge and practice. Includes analysis of various models and their application to advanced clinical practice. Must be taken prior to clinical nursing courses except in Nurse Anesthesia program.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Critical analysis of health care issues and policy which influence advanced nursing practice and the health care system.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 2
    The study of role development with an emphasis on role making, intra- and interdisciplinary communication and strategies for role implementation. Must be taken prior to, or concurrent with first clinical course.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Complex physiological processes in adults which occur with disease, adaptation, and therapeutic intervention. Must be taken prior to clinical nursing courses.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Designed to provide a basis for making clinical decisions in the pharmacologic management of commonly-occurring health problems of primary care patients. Prerequisite, Undergraduate course in pharmacology; admission to the graduate nursing program; NURS 6003 or concurrent enrollment. NOTE: NP students are required to take the semester immediately prior to beginning clinical portion of NP option.
    Duration: 14 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Presents theoretical and clinical basis for comprehensive assessment and diagnosis in primary health care settings, including all age groups. Emphasis is on clinical decision-making, differentiation of normal from pathological findings, risk assessment screening, diagnostic testing and interpretation of findings. Prerequisites, Undergraduate Health Assessment course (minimum of a B). If a student has a “C” in physical assessment, proficiency may be demonstrated. NURS 6003 or concurrent enrollment. [NOTE: NP students are required to take the semester immediately prior to beginning clinical portion of NP]. (Nurse Anesthesia-admittance to program)
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    This course presents the theories of evaluation as related to the student and the various educational activities. Types of evaluation, appropriate application, preparation, and scoring of evaluation instruments are all critical topics included in this course.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    This course explores curriculum development in health professions. Emphasis is on education and competency practice links. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate study; instructor permission.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Focuses on development of knowledge and skill in teaching clinical information in advanced practice roles. Designed for nurses involved in formal and informal teaching of nurses and patients. Prerequisite, Permission of professor.
    Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
    Credit Hours: 3
    Experiential course in the role of nurse educator. Opportunity to apply models of teaching in classroom and clinical situations. Admission to graduate study; instructor permission.

    Request Information

    Submit the form below, and an Enrollment Specialist will contact you to answer your questions.

    • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Or call 866-621-8096

    Ready to go?

    Start your application today!
    Or call 866-621-8096 866-621-8096
    for help with any questions you have.