MSN: Nursing Education Concentration

Major: Nursing Education 
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) 
Calendar Type: Quarter 
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0; 160 practicum hours 
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 students to work as nursing educators in various types of programs and settings, at all levels of nursing education and professional experience. This unique program also instructs students on how to teach online, foster reflective practice, integrate simulation and use technology to teach nursing in innovative ways. The program enhances students critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills that enable them to be change agents for the future of nursing, nursing education and health care.  

Currently, there is a severe and critical nursing shortage in the United States. This program will prepare graduates to fill faculty and educator positions in academic and clinical practice settings through cutting-edge content and learning experiences that build the skills and competencies essential for today's nurse educators.Nurse educators are the pipeline to sustaining and expanding our current nursing workforce.  

The program integrates theories specific to adult learning, curriculum design, evaluation of courses and programs, critical thinking, both clinical and classroom techniques and the preparation for an advanced role as a nurse educator. The program also includes opportunities to explore contemporary and leading-edge educational modalities. Knowledge and skills gained through this program are applicable in a variety of settings and with learners of varying levels of nursing expertise. 

The practicum courses, which span over two quarters, allow students the opportunity to apply knowledge and demonstrate competence in the areas of nursing education and their clinical specialty under the supervision of a preceptor. The nursing education component of the practicum experience allows students to apply what they have learned throughout the curriculum in either an academic or professional development setting depending on their professional career goals. 

Participants complete a role practicum experience in teaching, providing ample opportunity to apply theory to practice. In addition, students are required to attend a three-day virtual simulation intensive experience via Zoom when enrolled in IPS 617  Simulation in Healthcare Education. The virtual intensive experience is offered bi-annually.

The MSN in Nursing Education prepares students to sit for the following exams upon completion of the practice requirement for each: 

  • Certified Nurse Educator®: Academic novice or clinical instructor 

  • Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator®   

  • Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC)

The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 

Additional Information 

For more information about this program, contact: 

Graduate Nursing Division 

Additional information is available on the Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions MSN in Nursing Education webpage and on the Drexel University Online MSN in Nursing Education webpage. 

Admission Requirements

  • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program fully accredited by the National League of Nursing (NLN/ACEN) or the American Association Colleges of Nursing (AACN/CCNE).
  • 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 applicants must possess a BSN (or its equivalent) and a current United States RN license.

TOEFL Requirement

International applicants, as well as immigrants to the United States and United States permanent residents whose native language is not English and who have not received a bachelor’s degree or higher in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom, must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing, and reading. U.S. citizens born on U.S. military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status; otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

If you take the TOEFLiBT exam, you are required to have a minimum combined score for the listening, writing and reading sections of 79 plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.

If you take the TOEFL, you are required to have a minimum score of 550 or higher and a Test of Spoken English score (TSE) of 55 or higher.

Degree Requirements

About the Curriculum

The program integrates theories specific to adult learning, curriculum design, evaluation of courses and programs, both clinical and classroom techniques, and the preparation for the role of the nursing professor. It combines theory, research and practice from the disciplines of education, management, and leadership. Knowledge and skills gained through this program are applicable in both the academic and clinical arenas.

Required Courses
Core Courses
NURS 500 [WI] Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments3.0
NURS 502Advanced Ethical Decision Making in Health Care3.0
NURS 544Quality and Safety in Healthcare3.0
RSCH 503Research Methods and Biostatistics3.0
RSCH 504Evaluation and Translation of Health Research3.0
Required Track Courses
IPS 617Simulation in Healthcare Education4.5
NURS 591Foundations of Healthcare Education3.0
NURS 606Curriculum Design for Higher Level Cognition3.0
NURS 613The Role and Responsibility of the Nurse Educator3.0
NURS 615Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation3.0
NURS 616Teaching Methods in Nursing Education3.0
Practicum
NUPR 618Nursing Education Practicum I3.0
NUPR 619Nursing Education Practicum II3.0
Support Course
NURS 574Advanced Integrative Clinical Concepts4.5
Total Credits45.0

Writing-Intensive Course Requirement

A [WI], Writing Intensive, next to a graduate course in this catalog indicates that the graduate course is a writing intensive course. The graduate course is a required course in your curriculum.

Sample Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
NURS 5003.0NURS 5023.0NURS 6133.0NURS 6153.0
NURS 5913.0NURS 6063.0RSCH 5033.0RSCH 5043.0
 6 6 6 6
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
IPS 6174.5NUPR 6183.0NUPR 6193.0 
NURS 6163.0NURS 5744.5NURS 5443.0 
 7.5 7.5 6 
Total Credits 45

Program Level Outcomes

  • Practices within a legal and ethical framework of health care delivery.
  • Advances the role of advanced nursing practice in the health care system through scholarship, clinical experience and political involvement.
  • Demonstrates critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical decision-making.
  • Integrates multiple technologies and relevant theories into the organization and synthesis of health data required to develop plans of care for patients, families and communities.
  • Integrates culturally sensitive health promotion activities that contribute to the health and wellness of the community into clinical practice.
  • Demonstrates leadership in nursing and health care through involvement in the development of outcome-based standards of care and practice-based health policy issues.
  • Evaluates and modify the quality and effectiveness of clinical practice based on current research findings, standards of care and patient outcomes.
  • Contributes to the advancement of nursing, health care and humanity through communication, collaboration and education. 

Graduate Nursing Faculty

Anthony Angelow, PhD, CRNP, ACNPC, AGACNP-BC, FAEN, FAANP (University of Northern Colorado) Chair, Advanced Practice Nursing. Associate Clinical Professor. Nurse Practitioner Role Transition, Acute Care, Trauma/Surgical Critical Care, Ethics/Health Law
Susan M. Burke, PhD, RN, CPNP-BC (The Catholic University of America) Track Director, Pediatric Primary Care. Associate Clinical Professor. Pediatric Primary Care Nursing
Rita Carroll, PhD, CPCRT, CBIST, CMHMP (Capella University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Complementary and Integrative Health, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Integrative Health Coaching, Mindfulness
Jennifer Coates, MSN, MBA, ACNPC, ACNP-BC (The University of Pennsylvania). Associate Clinical Professor. Adult Critical Care, Adult/Gero Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Leadership
Frances (Fran) Cornelius, PhD, MSN (Drexel University; Wayne State University). Clinical Professor. Online Learning, Nursing Education, Public/Community Health Nursing
Jennifer Cummings, DNP, MSN, CRNP-BC (Drexel University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Adult Health, Primary Care, Evidence-Based Practice.
Diane DePew, DSN, BSN, RN-BC, CNE (University of Alabama, Birmingham). Associate Clinical Professor. Nursing Leadership and Development, Nursing Education
Kathryn (Katie) Farrell, EdD, MSN, RN (Drexel University) Quality Safety and Risk Management Track Director: Graduate Nursing. Assistant Clinical Professor. Nursing Education, Quality, Safety, and Risk Management.
Alecia Schneider Fox, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC (Widener University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Critical Care Nursing
Marcia Gamaly, PhD, MSN, MHS, RN-BC, CBN (Villanova University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Online Education, Clinical Education, Emergency Nursing
Kimberly Garcia, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNT-BC, GNP-BC, NP-C (Indiana University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Transcultural/International Nursing
Maria Irerra-Newcomb, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC (Duke University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nursing
Marie McClay, DrNP, WHNP-BC, RN (Drexel University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Women's Health Nursing
Cheryl Mele, DNP, PNPAC-BC, PNP PC/AC-BC, NNP-BC (Touro University). Associate Clinical Professor. Pediatric Acute Care Nursing, Pediatric Primary Care Nursing, Nursing Leadership, Healthcare Genetics
Sally K. Miller, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, AGPCNP-BC, PMHNP-BC (Walden University). Clinical Professor. Adult-Gerontology Acute/Primary Care Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology
Kate Morse, PhD, MSN, RN, AGACNP-RET (Villanova University). Clinical Professor. Adult Critical Care Nursing, Healthcare Simulation
Jackie Murphy, EdD, RN, CNE (Drexel University). Associate Clinical Professor. Nursing Education, Online Learning, Nursing Theory, Nursing Research, Mindfulness
Jennifer (Jenn) Myers, MSN, RN, CNE (Drexel University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Pediatric Nursing, Nursing Education, Online Learning
Barbara R. Osborne, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC (Drexel University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Women’s Health, Metabolic Health, Primary Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Practice Nursing
Lori Ruskin, MSN, FNO-BC (Thomas Jefferson University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Kelley Scott, DNP, APN-BC (Drexel University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Emergency Nursing, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nursing
Joanne Serembus, EdD, RN, CCRN (Alum), CCNE (Widener University). Clinical Professor. Online Learning, Nursing Education
Susan Solecki, DrPH, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC (Drexel University). Clinical Professor. Advanced Practice Nursing, Pediatrics, Adult Health, Epidemiology, Occupational Health
Erica Springer, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC (Drexel University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Kimberly J. Twaddell, DNO, CRNP, ACNPC, CCRN (University of Northern Colorado). Assistant Clinical Professor. Advanced Practice Nursing, Trauma/Surgical Critical Care, Acute Care
Megan Walsh Ossont, PhD, MSN, CRNP (Villanova University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Nursing Research, Adult Psychiatry, Correctional Psychiatry
Virginia (Ginny) Wilson, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NE-BC, PhD (c) (Widener University). Assistant Clinical Professor. Nursing Leadership
Patricia (Patti) Zuzelo, EdD, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, ANP-BC, ANEF, FAAN (Widener University). Clinical Professor. Advanced Practice Nursing, Leadership and Management, Nursing Education, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Adult Health), Adult Nurse Practitioner