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Master's Degree

MSN in Nursing Education
Online Program (BSN to MSN)

Calendar

CLASSES START
May 6th

16 Mo.

Program Length

36

Credits

Online

Format

BSN

Required

Master's Degree

MSN in Nursing Education
Online Program (BSN to MSN)

Earn an MSN and become a nurse educator

AccreditationCCNE accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Paying for schoolYou can earn up to 85% in loan forgiveness through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)2
ClinicalsHerzing pledges to help you secure clinical placement
Format100% online coursework flexible to accommodate your lifestyle
CertificationPrepare to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam from the National League for Nursing (NLN) upon graduation
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University
Nurse Teacher Who Went From BSN to Nurse Educator Instructing Student to Take Blood Pressure
US News Best Graduate Nursing Programs 2024

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2024

MSN - Nursing Education (Nurse Educator)
US News Best Graduate Nursing Programs 2024

Overview: MSN in Nursing Education (BSN to MSN)

The MSN in Nursing Education degree is a 36-credit graduate program which prepares BSN nurses for a career as a nurse educator. The degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in teaching/learning strategies, curriculum development, theoretical foundations for nursing, and more.

SVG
Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

SVG
Flexible schedule

We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

SVG
Virtual services

Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

SVG
Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

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Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start May 6th

Learn More Today

Curriculum

MSN in Nursing Education Program Curriculum

You'll find that the MSN in Nursing Education program includes courses on teaching strategies, curriculum development and nursing education roles. Following graduation, you'll be prepared to apply for the certified nurse educator examination.

View Sample Schedule

Options for RNs with an ADN

 

We also offer an RN to MSN in Nursing Education program for nurses who hold associate degree in nursing.

Choose to go from RN to MSN or earn your BSN on the way in our RN to BSN to MSN track.

ProgramMonthsiCredits
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education1636

i. Average number of months for students to complete program. Program availability varies by location.

Required Core Courses

All courses, 15.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Required Direct Care Courses

All courses, 9.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Required Specialty Courses

12.00 semester credit hours are required.

Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the MSN in Nursing Education program is $615 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

Find my estimate

 Scholarships & Financial Aid

You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.

Find scholarships and grants 

 Military/Veteran Discounts

Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

VA/Military benefits 

You can earn up to 85% in loan forgiveness through the NFLP.

Commit to a career as a nursing instructor and you can potentially save immensely on cost as part of the National Faculty Loan Program (NFLP).

You’ll need to find a full-time position within 12 months after graduation. The longer you remain employed full-time, the more you can save—up to 85% over 4 years.2

Learn more about NFLP

Nurse Educator Teaching Student in Labs

Scholarship Opportunity

You may be eligible for the Herzing University Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship.

Eligibility requirements include a minimum GPA earned in your undergraduate nursing program, and maintaining a minimum GPA throughout the MSN program.

You can potentially earn 10% tuition reduction!

Learn More

Requirements

MSN in Nursing Education program prerequisites

To enroll Herzing’s MSN-NE program, prospective students must live in a state where Herzing University is authorized to offer the MSN-NE program. You must also meet the following criteria:

  1. Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they practice. (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement.)
  2. Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an accredited university or college with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District Of Columbia.

MSN Placement Pledge Badge

Your clinical placement is our pledge.

We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN nurse educator program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.

As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.

Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*

* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.

Classes Start May 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Meet our Leadership

Brandy Ebert, DNP, RN, MSN-Ed, MBA-PM, BSB

"Herzing University provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to become a qualified nursing educator. The Nurse Educator program provides teaching and learning opportunities in both traditional academic settings, as well as a clinical-based settings for those who may wish to become a clinical educator.

Herzing’s knowledgeable and supportive faculty, as well as its robust curriculum, provide graduates with the tools they need to succeed as a nursing educator."

Dr. Brandy Ebert is the Department Chair for Academic Programs for the Online Nursing Department, overseeing the RN-MSN, MSN, PMC in Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership and Administration, and Public Health Nursing programs. She also oversees MSN core courses, including theory, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, pathophysiology, etc.

Dr. Ebert has been in nursing education since 2010. In addition, she has served in leadership capacities and faculty at various institutions, in which she was responsible for teaching a variety of courses, curriculum development, simulation and clinical leadership, nursing instruction, faculty/student management, campus scheduling, clinical site acquisition, financial/supply maintenance, etc. During her tenure, she has also implemented a variety of new programs and initiatives, including master instruction, experiential learning, alternative clinical learning days, nursing education checklists and competency assessments, and a post-graduate mentorship program. She regularly engages with students and interacts with leadership to monitor program assessments/matrices and develop clinical and curriculum orientation processes and collaborative assessment tools.

Prior to nursing, Dr. Ebert had a science background with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, and experience working a research laboratory for two years.

Brandy Ebert, DNP, RN, MSN-Ed, MBA-PM, BSB Department Chair of Academic Programs (Online MSN)

Brandy Ebert

Department Chair of Academic Programs (Online MSN)1

1MSN-Core Courses, MSN-Nurse Educator, MSN-Nurse Leader, MSN Public Health, & RN-MSN-A Programs


Careers

What you can do with an MSN in Nursing Education

As a graduate of Herzing University's MSN in Nursing Education program, you’ll be qualified to work in a variety of educational settings, from university classrooms to medical centers. You may find nursing education career opportunities in hospitals, private practice, and a number of nursing-related positions in a variety of workplaces.

There are many different types of nurse educators under two broad categories: a clinical setting, in which you train students directly in real-life patient care situations, and an academic setting such as a college or university. The goal is the same—to prepare nursing students for the transition from school to a professional work setting.

Types of jobs you can get in nursing education

Education in a teaching hospital or other clinical environment is often needed in the case of continuing education. Work in a hospital as a nurse educator and you will be responsible for providing clinical education to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals.

Clinical nurse educators are vital to helping a healthcare facility improve processes and mitigate risks to both patients and caregivers.

Nursing faculty teach nursing students in a classroom environment, preparing lectures and academic curriculums to provide foundational nursing education. To work in an academic setting, you will need to hold a master’s degree in nursing. For some positions, you may be required to hold a DNP or Ph.D.

Some nurse educators will split duty between a college/university classroom and clinical role depending on an organization’s needs.

Many nurse educators will teach part-time while working in a clinical setting, giving them opportunity to remain sharp, continue building experience in patient care and share their advanced expertise with new nursing students.

Requirements for the job may include:

  • Design curriculum to ensure classes meet the state accreditation requirements
  • Prepare lectures and lead classroom discussion
  • Supervise lab and clinical education
  • Provide feedback to students as they work and interact with patients
  • Oversee student research and internships
  • Aide in research, studies and evidence-based practice efforts
  • Review student performance
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:

You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for a nurse educator is $84,180 per year.* Salaries can vary based on location, education, and experience. Discover the average nurse educator salary in your state and learn more about a career in nursing education.

At the very least you’ll need to become a licensed registered nurse (RN) with several years of work experience and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Most of the time you’ll need a MSN in nursing education, especially for teaching at a university or college in an academic environment.

What degree you need depends on what you want to teach and where you teach it. Generally if you earn your master’s degree and earn your certificate as a Certified Nurse Educator, you’ll be qualified for a position as a clinical nurse educator.

Life as a clinical nurse educator can be unpredictable—between managing a department’s educational and staffing needs and supporting students on an individual basis, it can be challenging to stick to a routine. However, helping patients and nursing students alike is extremely rewarding.

Take it from a real teacher in nursing who offers us a glimpse into a day in the life of a nurse educator.

We offer multiple options for current nurses of all types, including pathways for ASN/ADN, BSN, and MSN degree holders.

View our available online Nursing Education programs.

There are many MSN programs out there through a variety of accredited nursing schools for RNs looking to step up to the next level in their specialty.

Herzing University offers MSN programs in the following specialties:

...all delivered online! If you are interested in a career in patient care, teaching, or on the administrative/business side of nursing, you may be interested in pursuing these emphases.

The estimated return on your investment is very high given the average annual salary for nursing educators and the job outlook in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the need for nurse educators will grow 18% from 2022-2032, and reports the average annual salary at $84,180*.

Education is extremely important in healthcare on an ongoing basis. Your credentials and ability to educate the current and future generations of nurses will keep you very competitive in the job market.

You’ll need a great education, plenty of clinical experience, excellent communication skills, a passion for healthcare and a real desire to make a difference—and an eagerness to share your experiences with others. The best teachers are those who are truly passionate and pass that along to their students. A great teacher goes a lot further than the essentials.

Perhaps most important is a commitment to a life of learning. If you possess these crucial skills for a nurse educator, this might be the career you’re looking for.

You can earn your MSN in nursing education in as few as 16-20 months depending on the degree you currently hold. We recommend you sit for the Certified Nurse Educator exam. It’s not a requirement, but it will give you an edge on the job market. Completing the MSN in Nursing Education program from Herzing University makes you eligible to register for the exam.

Once you pass the exam and become a certified nurse educator you’ll have the credentials you need to start making an impact on the lives of nursing students in a clinical or college/university environment.

Nurse educators are qualified at the master’s or doctoral level and could work in teaching roles in both clinical and academic settings.

Academic educators teach and work with nursing students, and may design, implement and revise programs for students and practicing nurses. Clinical nurse educators are uniquely positioned in the hospital system to provide education to nursing staff and other healthcare professionals, as well as providing education for patients.

Learn more about what a nurse educator is and what they do.

Disclosures

Accreditations

Accreditations & Disclosures

1. The master's degree program in nursing at Herzing University - Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.

2. In exchange for post-graduation employment as nurse faculty meeting specific criteria, the program authorizes the cancellation of up to 85% of any such loan (plus interest thereon).

Not all programs approved in all states. Applicants should check with their applicable state board of nursing before enrolling in any graduate nursing program.

Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

 

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

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Herzing Tuition Wizard

When do you want to start classes?

The program has an automatic transfer of credits, and allows you to transfer up to additional credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credit hours.

  Transfer Credit Hours
MSN - Nurse Educator Online Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit$615.00
Base Tuition$22,140.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (9 x $615.00 )(-$5,535.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*$16,605.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee$530.00
Estimated Total Fee*$2,120.00
Total Semesters 1
RequiredNeeded
44
Total Credits
RequiredNeeded
3627
Estimated Cost 2
Base CostYour Cost
$24,260.00$18,725.00
Estimated Savings*
$5,535.00

Available Scholarships & Loan Options

Who Can Apply

Recipients and the amounts of the scholarships vary.

Requirements

Scholarship recipients, amounts, and terms and conditions are determined by Herzing University and its donors and are subject to change. An endowment is an amount of money (fund) that is given to the University with a stipulation that the funds are invested to earn annual interest rather than spent immediately. Students and alumni can learn more through the following channels: email give@herzing.edu, call (262) 735-6189, or visit https://www.herzing.edu/make-donation-herzing-university.

Who Can Apply

Any student in a degree-seeking program that makes on-time, out of pocket payments toward tuition and fee expenses.

Requirements

The amount of the payments made that exceed the amount of excess loan funding received will be used to calculate total award. Eligible students must make on-time payments, according to a predetermined payment plan. Restrictions may vary.

  • Matching percentage is based on student’s EFC at the time of application.
  • Student’s with a Pell eligible EFC will receive a 100% match
  • Students will non-Pell eligible EFC will receive 50% match
  • Students who do no complete the FAFSA will automatically qualify for the 50% match.
Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need, who are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Requirements

Must show financial need and are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Who Can Apply

Available to Herzing graduates who have re-enrolled in a higher-level degree

Requirements

Alumni may qualify as many times as they re-enroll in a higher-level degree

Who Can Apply

Prospective and current students in the Herzing University Master of Science of Nursing – Nursing Education (MSN-NE) or Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education (PMC-NE) program.

Requirements

Expenses covered by the NFLP include reasonable educational expenses such as tuition and fees. Awards may be renewable contingent upon ongoing federal funding. In exchange for post-graduation employment as nurse faculty meeting specific criteria, the program authorizes the cancelation of up to 85% of any such loan (plus interest thereon).

  • Must submit a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Be in good standing with all other loans
  • Must seek employment as a faculty member at an accredited school of nursing within 12 months of graduating
  • Complete all required paperwork, including the initial application
  • Must be willing to comply with all reporting requirements, including post-graduation
  • Meet citizenship eligibility requirements

Please follow the link for more information: https://www.herzing.edu/nflp

Who Can Apply
  • ASN or BSN: Must have completed the TEAS Assessment Score of 78+ or Kaplan Test Score of 66+.
  • MSN: must have a 3.8+ GPA upon entering the program.
Requirements
  • Applicants in the ASN and BSN, must maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled.
  • Applicants in the MSN program must maintain a 3.8 GPA.
Who Can Apply

Employees of a business participating in the Herzing Partnerships Program

Requirements
  • Documentation showing proof of employment is required
  • Recipients must be packaged at direct cost (receiving financial aid for tuition and fees only)

Questions?

Reach out to a member of the Financial Aid team at the Online campus:

Financial Aid Team
(866) 508-0748
fa@herzing.edu

1 

Actual semesters to complete are dependent upon university approved transfer credits and program mapping.

2 

Estimated program length, estimated number of semesters, and estimated program shown above are standard by program for each student based on: a student taking a full-time course load each semester, the student not having any transfer credits (from previous Herzing experiences or from other post-secondary institutions), and successful completion of each course.

Current tuition rates for all programs are effective through the Summer 2024 semester.

MSN-NE SAMPLE SCHEDULE
SEMESTER 1
NU 500 Theoretical Foundations for NursingNU 560 Research Methods and Evidence-based Practice
NU 617 Roles for Nurse Educators 
SEMESTER 2
NU 510 Advanced Physical AssessmentNU 636 Advanced Pharmacology
NU 621 Advanced Pathophysiology 
SEMESTER 3
HCA 610 Health Policy and ManagementNU 525 Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice
NU 681 Advanced Nursing Practice Clinical Practicum/Seminar for Nurse Education
SEMESTER 4
NU 600 Teaching/Learning StrategiesNU 635 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
SEMESTER 5
NU 530 Organizational Systems and Behaviors 
NU 683 Graduate Onsite Practicum in Education