Nursing Education MSN
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Minimum Required Credits: 35.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.3801
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-1072
About the Program
The MSN: Nursing Education program prepares nurses to become exceptional educators in academic, clinical, and professional development settings. Designed for nurses who aspire to shape the future of the profession, this program integrates cutting-edge content and experiential learning to build the competencies essential for today’s nurse educators.
Students gain expertise in curriculum design, course and program evaluation, and innovative teaching strategies, including simulation and online learning. The program emphasizes critical thinking, reflective practice, and technology integration, preparing graduates to educate diverse learners in traditional, clinical, and virtual environments.
Through practicum experiences, students have the opportunity to apply knowledge and demonstrate competence in the areas of nursing education and their clinical specialty. Practicum experiences are tailored to individual career goals, providing opportunities to teach in academic settings or facilitate professional development within healthcare organizations.
Graduates of the MSN: Nursing Education program are prepared to pursue national certification as a:
Certified Nurse Educator® (CNE®) – Academic Novice or Clinical Instructor
Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC)
A distinctive feature of this program is that graduates also earn a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Nursing Leadership. This additional credential recognizes that all nurses are leaders, whether they guide students, mentor peers, or influence organizational change. The PBC strengthens leadership skills and expands career potential, equipping graduates to lead educational initiatives and drive transformational change within academic and healthcare settings.
This program also offers a seamless pathway to advanced doctoral study. Students who elect to continue into Drexel’s Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program may apply two courses from the MSN curriculum (NURS 5000 and NURS 5001) toward the DNP program requirements, allowing them to accelerate their doctoral progression and build upon the strong academic foundation established in the MSN program.
Overall, this program not only prepares graduates to teach; it empowers them to lead. Nurse educators play a vital role in sustaining and expanding the nursing workforce by mentoring and preparing future nurses to meet evolving healthcare challenges.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Additional Information
For more information on this program, please contact the College of Nursing and Health Professions
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from an institution accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education), ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), or NLN CNEA (NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation).
3.0 or above on all previous coursework or the last 60.0 credits completed. Applications from RNs with a GPA less than a 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis.
Official transcripts from all previous educational institutions are required.
Two professional references are required from colleagues or supervisors who can attest to the applicant’s knowledge, skill and potential aptitude for graduate study.
Letters of recommendation are waived for students with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Personal statement (no more than two pages and no less than one page, double-spaced) that will give the admissions committee a better understanding of the following:
Why you are choosing this particular program of study.
Your plans upon completion of the certificate.
How your current work experience will enhance your experience in this program.
Curriculum vitae or resume.
Copy of current United States RN license is required.
Copies of any Advanced Practice Nursing licensure and certification documents.
While specific experience is not required for applicants to the track, previous related work experience may make an applicant more competitive.
International Students:
International applicants must possess a BSN (or its equivalent) and a current United States RN license.
Additional information can be found here:
https://www.online.drexel.edu/support/international-students.aspx
Degree Requirements
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 5000 | Transforming Healthcare through Policy and Ethics | 3.0 |
| NURS 5001 | Advancing Quality and Safety in Healthcare | 3.0 |
| NURS 5002 | Applied Nursing Research | 3.0 |
| NURS 5003 | Advanced Clinical Reasoning | 3.0 |
| Nursing Leadership Courses | ||
| NURS 6100 | Authentic Leadership: Communication and Self-Awareness | 3.0 |
| NURS 6101 | Strategic Leadership: Navigating Healthcare Systems | 3.0 |
| NURS 6102 | Operational Leadership: People and Processes | 3.0 |
| Nursing Education Courses | ||
| NURS 6200 | Foundations of the Nurse Educator Role | 3.0 |
| NURS 6201 | Innovative Teaching Strategies in Nursing Education | 3.0 |
| NURS 6202 | Curriculum Design for Transformative Nursing Education | 3.0 |
| Practicum Courses | ||
| NURS 7203 | Nursing Education Practicum | 5.0 |
| Total Credits | 35.0 | |