Heike Doody
Norwich Graduate, Class of 2016

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Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Education

Make a Difference as a Nurse Educator

Nurse educators are the key to building a passionate, expertly trained, and fully staffed healthcare environment. In 2018, U.S. universities and colleges rejected over 80,000 qualified applicants for bachelor's and graduate degrees citing a lack of faculty, classroom space, and clinical opportunities in hospitals.* This means greater numbers of nurse educators are key to solving today's healthcare staffing issues.

That's why the Norwich online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program was designed to meet this critical demand. Our program aims to help you build the essential skills needed to educate the next generation of phenomenal nurses.

Download a free brochure for more information about this program.

*According to AACN 2019-2020 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing report

Degree
  • Master of Science
Concentrations

Quick Info

0
Entrance Exams

No GRE/GMAT required

15
Students

Maximum number of students per class

18
Months

Average time to program completion

8
June

Next Start Date

11
May

Application Deadline

Why Norwich

The master's degree program in nursing at Norwich University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Learn from doctoral-level faculty.

Apply newly acquired skills in real-time and drive positive change within your organization well before you graduate.

Qualify to sit for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Nurse Educator Certification Exam through our Nursing Education track.

Enroll with no GRE or GMAT requirements.

Apply to one of four start dates per year.

Benefit from a university recognized as offering Best Value with respect to high academic quality and low net cost of attendance, according to U.S. News & World Report.*

*Rankings are based on undergraduate programs and on students who received the average level of need-based financial aid.

 

Accreditation & Recognition

logo, new england commission of higher education

Norwich University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (formerly the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.).

logo, commission on collegiate nursing education

The master's degree program in nursing-Nursing Education and Healthcare Systems Leadership- at Norwich University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

 

 


Scholarship Opportunities

Norwich University offers a range of opportunities to help you lower your overall tuition costs. Contact our admissions team today to learn more about your options. Please note that scholarships are not additive. In addition to scholarships, students may also be eligible for discounts if their organization partners with Norwich University.

Discover Scholarships

Norwich University Online students may be eligible for scholarships and we encourage all potential students to visit our scholarships page here.

Help us learn more about your experience and see if you qualify for the Master of Science in Nursing program.

Curriculum

Core Curriculum

Norwich’s online Master of Science in Nursing program begins with six 3-credit core courses that focus on the roles of the advanced nurse, healthcare systems, practice and policy, theoretical foundations of practice, research for evidence-based practice and quality improvement practice, and technology. Each core course is 11 weeks in length. The remaining courses are focused on the specialty of your choice, nurse education.

M.S. in Nursing Handbook

Note: If you enrolled in the MSN program on or prior to September 2020, please refer to this curriculum map.

Our nursing graduates can:

  • Pursue a range of nurse educator roles.

  • Demonstrate a broad-based knowledge of health systems and essential skills in communication, data analysis and policy implementation, problem solving, critical thinking, research, evidence-based practice, and management.

 

  • Healthcare Systems, Nursing Leadership and Advanced Nursing Role
    NR523 3 credit hours

    This course examines the healthcare system and guides students to assess and analyze the healthcare system in the context of advanced practice nursing and the role of advanced practice nurses. The student explores organizational and system science, change theories and social change theories in its application to healthcare. Healthcare leadership including theory and styles as well as contemporary approaches, ethical practice and leadership strategies are examined. Inter/intra professional communication, teamwork, consultation, diversity and collaboration are discussed as cornerstones for patient safety, optimal health outcomes and accountability in health care. The student analyzes and evaluates the intersection of current and emerging healthcare system challenges and advanced practice role dimensions. 

  • Health Policy, Advocacy and Economics in Healthcare
    NR524 3 credit hours

    This course examines healthcare delivery in the United States, to include the role of public policy, advocacy, and industry regulation. Health policy perspectives and the analytical tools to understand the national policy-making environment are integrated throughout the course. Key policy issues and core constructs for analysis include national health expenditures and cost containment strategies, patient access and health disparities, health care quality and performance improvement, and workforce policy. Health care reform, future directions and trends, and policy innovations are examined for their impact on advanced nursing practice, service delivery, and health outcomes. Health systems of other developed and developing countries are examined to gain a global perspective and appreciation for a variety of health system attributes.

  • Quality Improvement and Patient Safety
    NR533 3 credit hours

    This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of quality improvement science, and its application to quality and safety in healthcare. The student examines quality improvement models in the delivery of healthcare and measures for quality improvement initiatives. Foundations of health care quality and the science underlying patient safety and quality improvement, design and select effective health care measures are explored. The course includes analysis and processes related to patient safety problems using tools such as human factors analysis and discusses systematic quality improvement approaches including the Model for Improvement (MFI) and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) models to address quality improvement challenges, and strategies to lead a culture of change.

  • Informatics & Healthcare Technologies
    NR534 3 credit hours

    This seminar reviews concepts important to implementing and sustaining effective use of technology in the clinical environment.  Security and privacy for the protection of privileged information, effective policy development, testing and implementation are examined.  Concepts of change management as well as informatics role in community/population health monitoring and management are explored.  The student studies the use of technology to generate new evidence, the potential influence of emerging technologies on clinical practice and the importance of developing a caring practice in a high technology environment.

  • Advanced Nursing Research and Evidence Based Practice
    NR593 3 credit hours

    This course focuses on the use of the research process in developing new nursing knowledge and applying to an evidence-based practice. The student examines and develops research questions considers theoretical frameworks, methods of data collection and analysis, and the interpretation and use of study findings in providing evidence based care of individuals, families, and communities. The importance of scientific integrity and ethical standards are emphasized and ethical issues in the conduct of research are explored. The student is prepared to critically appraise and utilize research, and identify researchable problems within the context of his/her own practice.

  • Epidemiology and Population Health
    NR514 3 credit hours

    This course provides a foundation of key concepts essential to population-focused nursing, the aggregate, community or population as the unit of care. The focus of the course is on health promotion/disease prevention with emphasis on the advanced nursing role in clinical prevention of disease and care of populations. Applying concepts of primary, secondary, and tertiary health promotion across the lifespan, the student relates the basic concepts of epidemiology to multiple domains of population health, using epidemiology to better understand, characterize, and promote health at a population level.  Disease prevention and health promotion of populations are examined through the study of the occurrence and distribution of health-related states or events, including the study of social determinants of health.

Nursing Education (40 credits)

The Nursing Education concentration prepares students to fulfill the Advanced Practice Role of the Nurse Educator for developing, delivering and evaluating curriculum, as well as providing direct care patient education across a variety of healthcare settings. During their program, students will engage in both a direct care practicum and a precepted teaching practicum in a classroom, clinical, skills laboratory or an education department in a patient care setting. Coursework in teaching and learning theory, engaging educational approaches, learning assessment, curriculum development, and contemporary teaching techniques ready students for implementing education in both academic and direct care settings.

Note: If you enrolled in the MSN program on or prior to September 2020, please refer to this curriculum map.


  • Advanced Pathophysiology
    NR548 3 credit hours

    This course examines pathophysiological processes integral to the understanding of human health conditions and disorders across the lifespan. Objective and subjective manifestations of common health problems resulting from environmental, genetic, and stress-related maladaptation are assessed and analyzed. Assessment findings, diagnostic testing, and interventions for specific health problems are discussed. The etiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of disorders are reviewed within the context of age, gender, lifestyle and sociocultural determinants. Principles of pathophysiology are applied to recognize clinical signs and symptoms consistent with human health conditions. The impact of health promotion and disease prevention on pathophysiological processes across the lifespan are explored. 

  • Advanced Pharmacology
    NR552 3 credit hours

    This course builds on the student’s understanding of fundamental pharmacological principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug metabolism, and dose-response relationships and includes the study of major pharmacological classes related to common disease processes.  The course explores the major pharmacological drug classes and their application to the principles of therapeutic decision-making, including legal and ethical implications.

  • Curriculum Design in Nursing
    NR563 3 credit hours

    In this course the student focuses on the relationship between institutional vision, mission, and values on curriculum design, development, and revision within the context of a curriculum that is relevant, evidence-based and unified. The theoretical foundations, essential components, and accreditation standards for curriculum development for a pre-licensure program are examined. The role of outcome competencies is addressed in the development and evaluation of an educational program to meet contemporary healthcare needs. Models of systematic program evaluation or other outcome standards will be analyzed.

    *This course is currently under development and subject to change.

  • Advanced Physical Assessment
    NR553 3 credit hours

    This course builds upon basic health assessment and guides the student to obtain a complete and accurate health assessment, including history, physical examination, and commonly used screening tools, as a foundation for advanced nursing practice with clients across the life span. The course emphasizes critical analysis and synthesis of physical exam data, relevant health history data, critical risk appraisal of the physical and mental status, assessment of nutrition, and anticipatory guidance relevant to health promotion and disease prevention. At the conclusion of the course, the student will utilize distance learning technology to demonstrate a comprehensive physical health assessment.

  • Innovations in Teaching and Learning
    NR564 3 credit hours

    This seminar prepares the student to apply theoretical concepts related to how adults learn and how teachers teach to prepare students with highly developed critical thinking skills to meet the demands of complex nursing practice in the contemporary healthcare environment. The course includes emphasis on adult learners, the self as the teacher and the teacher and learner characteristics that support successful learning.  Principles of teaching and learning, critical thinking applied to the variety of learning environments including simulation, distance learning and the clinical setting and the use of technology are explored as well as teaching methods in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains of learning.

    *This course is currently under development and subject to change.

  • Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
    NR565 3 credit hours

    This course focuses on the assessment, measurement, and evaluation of learning outcomes as measures of learner progress and program quality. Content includes foundations of educational measurement and evaluation, development of learner performance outcomes for clinical practice, test construction and clinical performance evaluation tools, critical thinking, values and ethics related to educator role. The student examines continuous quality improvements of education programs using standards from external professional bodies and accreditation agencies.

    *This course is currently under development and subject to change.

  • Advanced Nursing Practicum
    NR568 2 credit hours

    This course focuses on preparing the student to expand on the baccalaureate nursing foundation and advance knowledge to gain expertise in a specific nursing practice. The student will complete a mentored 60-hour clinical practicum to achieve professional, specialty, and course-related objectives.  This direct care practicum experience will provide the student an opportunity to synthesize learned concepts to apply the nursing process to improve patient outcomes.

    *This course is currently under development and subject to change.

  • Implementing the Nurse Educator Role
    NR569 2 credit hours

    Selected teaching learning theories are examined and applied to the role of nurse educator and nursing education practice. Students establish nurse education practicum goals and objectives and are required to obtain a nurse educator mentor. The 60-hour practicum involves application of previously learned concepts through teaching in both the clinical and classroom environments.

    *This course is currently under development and subject to change.


Admissions

At a Glance

  • No GRE/GMAT required
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Admissions Requirements »

Eligibility Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited (either by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)) undergraduate nursing program, or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by WES, IERF, SpanTran, or CED
  • An active license as a registered nurse in your state of practice that is unencumbered.
  • If English is not your first language, proof of English language proficiency is required.  This can be demonstrated in one of three ways:
    • TOEFL - a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test) is required.*
    • IELTS – a minimum composite score of 6.5 is required.*
    • The applicant holds a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a college/university/institution in which the primary language of instruction was English.
  • International applicants who are not licensed as registered nurses in the U.S. must achieve a passing score on both the English and nursing sections of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination.
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater on a 4.00 scale. (Applicants with a GPA below 3.00 must demonstrate a GPA of 3.00 or higher for the last 60 undergraduate hours of his/her nursing program.)
  • Undergraduate courses in statistics and research.
  • Graduate testing is not required.

Please Note:  All eligibility requirements are expected to be met unless noted in specific articulation agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Application Process

We encourage you to contact an admissions advisor (see below) if you need help at any stage of the application process. You will be required to submit the following items:

  • Application form
  • RN license
  • Resume
  • Official transcript of your conferred undergraduate degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university
  • Letter of intent
  • One letter of recommendation from a nurse leader/manager or supervisor that can attest to your readiness for all graduate-level work
    • The letter of recommendation should be submitted on professional letterhead
    • An additional letter of recommendation may be requested by the Program Director during the application review process

To contact an admissions advisor:

Call: 1-877-348-8153
Email: info@online.norwich.edu

Next Start Date

Monday, December 4, 2023

Application Deadline

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Contact Admissions

Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST
 

Call: 1-877-348-8153
Email: info@online.norwich.edu

  • admissionstab-credits_4
    Transfer Credits
    You may receive the equivalent of up to 12 semester credits for study conducted elsewhere. Norwich complies with VA regulations and guidelines as it pertains to transfer credits.
  • international student at graduation
    International Admissions
    Norwich University welcomes students from all countries who want to study through our online programs. You must complete all steps in the admissions process.
  • benjamin bragdon on norwich campus, graduate
    Norwich Alumni Benefits
    Reconnect with Norwich to complete your master's degree. As apart of our alumni community, you are eligible for a $2,500 scholarship and other benefits.

Non-Discrimination Statement

Norwich University, in compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.


Tuition & Fees

About

Norwich provides a top-notch educational experience; we also work hard to help make it affordable. There are many ways to get financial aid and several strategies to help you finance your education. Norwich is committed to making this often-difficult process easier for you.

Term tuition varies based on the number of credits taken. Total tuition is based on a full-credit load per term.

*Tuition may differ based on semesters enrolled and number of transfer credits. First semester is comprised of two courses and subsequent semesters are four courses.

Tuition at a Glance

  • Credit Hours: 40
  • Cost Per Credit Hour: $825; $550 (military; veteran; first responder) 

2023-24 Tuition and Fee Schedule - Master's Programs

Rate Per Credit
Term
Tuition
Additional Expenses Total
$825; $550 (military; veteran; first responder)
$3,667-$5,500

Technology - $300/term
Library - $75/term
Graduation - $150/one-time

$24,550-35,550

Careers & Outcomes

Career Opportunities for MSN Graduates

Nurse educators are pivotal to training nurses of all levels and need to have both clinical expertise and bedside nursing experience. They should also be committed to continuous research, staying up to date on the latest ideas and developments in healthcare and the best practices of nursing.

Our online Master of Science in Nursing can help you pursue a variety of nurse education roles. Nurse educators are being employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, medical centers, colleges, universities, and public and private businesses.

Our graduates include work in a variety of roles, including*:

Career Roles

  • Associate Professor of Nursing
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Chief Quality Officer
  • Clinical Educator
  • Clinical Research Specialist
  • Director of Clinical Services
  • Director of Student Health Clinic Wellness Center
  • Nurse Consultant
  • Nurse Director
  • Nurse Educator
  • Nursing Supervisor
  • Risk Manager/ Corporate Compliance Officer
  • Surgical Nurse Manager

Our alumni have gone on to positions in top organizations, including*:

Places of Work

  • Mount Eagle College and University
  • Catskill Regional Medical Center
  • ECPI University
  • MDT College of Health Sciences
  • Einstein Medical Center
  • Koinonia Homes, Inc.

What our graduates have to say:

  • of responding MSN graduates earn a salary of more than $70,000, while nearly 25% earn more than $90,000 per year.*
  • of responding MSN alumni agreed that their degree gave them a competitive edge in the job market.*

  • of responding MSN alumni were offered leadership opportunities at their place of employment since graduation.*

Read more about our MSN student outcomes.

*Source: Norwich University Master of Science in Nursing Graduate Survey, fielded March 2016


Faculty & Staff

Our Master of Science in Nursing is led by dedicated faculty and staff members. Our faculty members are experts in their fields. Their interests cover a variety of nursing topics, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the nursing field. Our staff members offer additional support from day one to graduation. Each are eager to help you pursue your academic, professional, and personal goals.

 

We have an in-house instructional design team that work hand-in-hand with program faculty and staff to ensure an efficient and interactive online learning experience in each course.

 

Program Coordinator

Wood potrait
Jessica  Wood

Jessica Wood, DNP, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner and licensed registered nurse, and has been teaching at the Norwich University School of Nursing since 2008.  Although she has experience as a critical care nurse, a kidney transplant nurse, and emergency room nurse, the majority of her career has been dedicated to labor, delivery, postpartum, newborn care, and women's health.  As a passionate leader for nursing, Dr. Wood has expanded her expertise to include many leadership and nursing education roles in her 20+ years in nursing.  She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire, a Master of Science in Health Systems Leadership from Norwich University, a post-Master's certificate as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner from Duke University, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Duke University.

Jessica's most recent work was for a well-known non-profit organization providing care to women throughout northern New England.  Additionally, she has led nursing students to impoverished areas of Nicaragua and continues to practice as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner in New England.  She is a native Vermonter and loves biking, skiing, hiking, and paddleboarding.  

Meet Jessica »

Program Staff

rija head shot
Rija Ramahatra, MBA
Associate Program Director

Frequently Asked Questions

What courses can I take in the nursing program?

Students gain fundamental knowledge of health systems analysis, leadership theory, and evidence-based practices in their first three course of the nursing program. Depending upon the concentration chosen, topics covered in the remaining courses include resource management, strategic planning, and health care organization; or health assessment and pharmacology, theory and methods of curriculum and instruction, and measurement, assessment, and evaluation.

What concentrations are available?

Choose from nursing education or healthcare systems leadership.

Are there any grants available for students in the nursing program to help pay tuition?

Grants to help pay program tuition may be available to qualified students in the nursing education track through the Nurse Faculty Loan Forgiveness Program.

How have graduates of the nursing program applied their degrees?

Our nursing alumni have found employment with a variety of organizations including Brigham and Women’s Hospital, County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, DC Department of Health, Madigan Army Medical Center, GlaxoSmithKline, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Mary Immaculate Hospital, and Sun Healthcare Group.

How are the nursing program faculty members selected?

Nursing program instructors hold terminal degrees from established universities. They must demonstrate a wide range of university/college-level teaching experience and solid, practical experience in nursing leadership and education.

What are the eligibility requirements for applying to the program?
  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited (National League for Nursing Accreditation Center (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)) undergraduate nursing program.
  • An active license as a registered nurse in state of practice that is unencumbered.
  • Proof of English language proficiency if English is not your first language. This can be demonstrated in one of three ways:
    • TOEFL — a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (internet-based test) is required.
    • IELTS — a minimum composite score of 6.5 is required.
    • Presentation of a baccalaureate or master’s degree from an institution in which the primary language of instruction was English.
  • International applicants who are not licensed as registered nurses in the U.S. must achieve a passing score on both English and Nursing sections of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) examination.
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater on 4.00 scale. Applicants with a GPA below 3.00 should demonstrate a GPA of 3.00 for the last 60 undergraduate hours of his/her nursing program.
  • Undergraduate courses in statistics and research.
  • The GRE is not required to apply, but may be requested based upon your undergraduate GPA.

 

How long is the nursing program?

Depending on when you start the program, and which concentration you choose, you can expect your degree to be conferred in 18 to 24 months.

Is the Master of Science in Nursing program accredited?

Yes. In addition to the university’s regional accreditation, the master's degree program in nursing at Norwich University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

How much is the online Master of Science in Nursing program?

Nursing Education:

  • Credit Hours: 40
  • Price Per Credit: $676
  • Technology Fee: $300/term
  • Library Fee: $75/term
  • Graduation Fee: $150/one-time
  • Total Program Cost: $29,440


Health System Leadership:

  • Credit Hours: 36
  • Price Per Credit: $676
  • Technology Fee: $300/term
  • Library Fee: $75/term
  • Graduation Fee: $150/one-time
  • Total Program Cost: $26,736

 

Does Norwich accept transfer credits?

When you apply for admission to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, you can submit transcripts and course outlines from previously attended institutions of higher education to be considered for transfer credits. Transfer credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be accepted for up to 12 credits. Norwich complies with VA regulations and guidelines as they pertain to transfer credits.

Learn more about Norwich University’s transfer credit policy.


Resources


Course Exams

Course assessments may include implementation of automated examination monitoring software. View Norwich's Notice Regarding the Use of Examination Monitoring Software