We also offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with specialization options for nurses who hold either a BSN or MSN, including several nurse practitioner specialties as well as specializations in nursing leadership and administration and public health.

Due to the significant shortage of nurse educators, any Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) can potentially be in high demand on the job market, which includes MSN graduates who pass the CNE certification exam. 

If you currently have an MSN and you’re mostly interested in teaching undergraduate nursing courses, choosing a shorter post master’s certificate in nursing education program (8 months) is a viable pathway.

While MSN-prepared graduates are capable of teaching undergraduate courses, doctorally-prepared nursing educators can potentially be better prepared to teach graduate-level courses as well. A Doctor of Nursing Education program also includes advanced coursework outside the scope of an MSN program.

Your career goals as an educator are what really matters. Our admissions team can help you decide if the MSN/certificate or DNE pathway makes the most sense for you.

Our program can be completed in less than 2 years: 20 months, or 5 semesters when you choose full-time enrollment.

Choose part-time enrollment and you can complete the program in 7 semesters, or 28 months.

Each school designs their own nursing education curriculums for unique types of students, which results in several different types of naming conventions at the doctoral level—each with their own meaning. Some of the most common names include:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The DNP is a practice-oriented degree, focused in clinical practice, leadership, and advanced nursing roles. Emphasis is placed upon evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). The PhD is a research-focused degree  which places greater emphasis on academia and scholarship in nursing. .
• Doctor of Education in Nursing Education (Ed.D). These are general Doctor of Education programs for which they offer a nursing education concentration. Leadership, policy, and educational practice is the focus of the Ed.D.
• Doctor of Nursing Education (DNE). The DNE represents a doctoral curriculum designed to fully prepare students for educational roles and leadership in nursing.  Programs are focused on curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and assessment strategies in nursing.