The essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing provides an important framework for designing and assessing Master-level nursing education. The original purpose of the essentials is to “delineate the outcomes expected of all graduates of master’s nursing programs” (AACN, 2011). Because professional nursing practice in all settings requires consideration of the individual, family, community, and population as client, these outcomes are essential to Master’s nursing education offered.
- Essential I: Background for Practice from Sciences and Humanities
- Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership
- Essential III: Quality Improvement and Safety
- Essential IV: Translating and Integrating Scholarship into Practice
- Essential V: Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
- Essential VI: Health Policy and Advocacy
- Essential VII: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
- Essential VIII: Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving Health
- Essential IX: Master’s-Level Nursing Practice
The MSNEd Program consists of fifteen (15) graduate-division nursing core courses delivered over five (5) academic semesters and eighty (80) academic weeks, for a total of forty (40) semester credits. There are 540 didactic and 180 integrative practicum contact hours total. The MSNEd Program does not have any experiential learning contact hours assigned. However, the Program requires the completion of educator- based learning project/practicum. The Curriculum Plan table presented below represents a sample curriculum plan for learners.
MSN Ed Program Sample Curriculum Plan
| Course Number | Delivery Modality | Semester Credits | Contact Hours | ||||
| Course Name | Didactic Learning | ||||||
| Theory | FE | Total | |||||
| Semester 1 | |||||||
| MSN 500 | Clinical Prevention: Assessment & Planning | Distance | 2 | 30 | – | 30 | |
| MSN 505 | Professional Awereness in Modern Nursing | Distance | 2 | 30 | – | 30 | |
| MSN 510 | Healthcare Policy and Global Health Trends | Distance | 2 | 30 | – | 30 | |
| MSN 515 | Healthcare Statistics | Distance | 2 | 30 | – | 30 | |
| Total | 8 | 120 | – | 120 | |||
| Semester 2 | |||||||
| MSN 520 | Research Methods and applications in Nursing | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| MSN 530 | Advanced Nursing Informatics and Technological Applications | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| MSN 540 | Systems Leadership and Innovations | Distance | 2 | 30 | – | 20 | |
| Total | 8 | 120 | – | 110 | |||
| Semester 3 | |||||||
| MSN 550 | Teaching Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| MSN 560 | Teaching Advanced Assessment Across the Lifespan | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| MSN 570 | Teaching Pharmacology Across the Lifespan | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| Total | 9 | 135 | – | 135 | |||
| Semester 4 | |||||||
| MSN 620 | Adult Education and Online Learning | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| MSN 640 | Curriculum & Instruction in Nursing | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| MSN 660 | Teaching Methodology in Nursing | Distance | 3 | 45 | – | 45 | |
| Total | 9 | 135 | – | 135 | |||
| Semester 5 | |||||||
| MSN 670 | Nursing Education Field Experience | Distance | 4 | – | 180 | 180 | |
| MSN 680 | Nursing Education Capstone | Distance | 2 | 30 | – | 30 | |
| Total | 6 | 30 | 180 | 210 | |||
| MSNEd Degree Total | 40 | 540 | 180 | 710 | |||
| Field Experience (FE): Provides opportunity for the learner to apply all elements of prior learning in academic settings, while beginning the transition into the nurse educator role. The learner integrates knowledge, clinical reasoning, and program competencies while implementing best teaching practices and assimilating into the nurse educator role in an academic environment. The learner works directly with a Master-prepared nurse educator preceptor to incorporate evidence-based strategies into a comprehensive activity or teaching plan designed to engage learners in active learning and implemented to meet mutually determined outcomes. | |||||||
Satisfactory Academic Progress Table
| Total Credits Attempted | Financial Aid Warning or Probation if CGPA is below | Financial Aid Warning or Probation if course completion rate is below |
| 1-8 | 2.0 | 67% |
| 9-16 | 2.0 | 67% |
| 17-24 | 2.0 | 67% |
| 25-32 | 2.0 | 67% |
| 33-40 | 2.0 | 67% |
MSN Ed Course Descriptions
Master of Science in Nursing Education Core Course Descriptions
MSN 500: Clinical Prevention: Assessment & Planning
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course is a study of program planning processes for high-risk and underserved aggregates. Graduate learners will explore methods of population-focused health assessments. The course emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic conditions management.
MSN 505: Professional Awareness in Modern Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: Nurses’ professional presence in therapeutic settings can support or inhibit wellbeing not only in patients, but also in the rest of the health care team, in the family and support system of the patients, and in the health care organization. This course will help the graduate learner manage this impact by recognizing situations and practices that support a positive environment and cultivating
actions and responses to achieve and maintain this environment. The growth of self-knowledge will expand nurses’ ability to direct influence in ways that are deliberate and constructive rather than random or destructive.
MSN 510: Healthcare Policy and Global Health Trends
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: Social, political, and economic factors influence policies that impact health outcomes in communities, nationally and globally. Nurse leaders need to understand the determinants of health as well as how legal and regulatory processes, healthcare finances, research, the role of professional organizations, and special interest groups/lobbyists impact health outcomes. This course provides a framework for understanding the organization of healthcare delivery and financing systems in the U.S. and other nations. It addresses how policies are made and factors that influence policies at local, national, and global levels that impact health/wellness and the nursing profession. The course will explore the roles of values, ethical theories, stakeholder interests, research, and recent legislation related to health policy and health outcomes. The graduate learner will gain expertise in effecting change through active participation in influencing or developing policies that impact health.
MSN 515: Healthcare Statistics
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course focuses on upon the application of statistical methods and data analysis in the healthcare professions related to evidence-based practice.
MSN 520: Research Methods and Applications in Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course explores the methodology and application of nursing research and its
relevance to nursing education, nursing practice, and the learner’s specialty focus area. The course will emphasize research design, implementation and application of research. The graduate learner will also explore evidence-based practice models, quality improvement models, and grading levels of evidence.
MSN 530: Advanced Nursing Informatics and Technological Applications
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course examines a variety of informatics theories, models, and issues within
complex healthcare systems. Graduate learners will examine complementary roles of master’s level-prepared nursing information technology professionals, including informaticists and quality officers. Content is directed toward assisting the learner to understand system planning, analysis, implementation and evaluation. Learners will analyze current and emerging technologies; data
management; ethical legal and regulatory best-practice evidence; and bio-health informatics using decision-making support systems at the point of care.
MSN 540: Systems Leadership and Innovation
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course explores the foundations of leadership and system innovation and develops the necessary skills to lead change and to demonstrate evidence of needed change. The course focuses on how innovation can be developed and implemented and how to systematically assess the impact of change on all aspects of the health system.
MSN 550: Teaching Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents, herbals, and supplements. Graduate learners will explore the pathophysiology of major health problems and examine the effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender, healthcare setting, and funding. The course will emphasize the concepts for teaching
pathophysiology as nursing-related measures for health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management for diverse populations across the lifespan.
MSN 560: Teaching Advanced Assessment Across the Lifespan
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course emphasizes the transfer of knowledge to clinical practice as graduate
learners apply teaching-learning theory and assessment techniques to the healthcare of clients of all ages and the education of professional caregivers. Analysis and synthesis of assessment findings are related to relevant client history, cultural and psychosocial client characteristics, normal anatomy and
physiology, and normal growth and development
MSN 570: Teaching Pharmacology across the Lifespan
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course provides the opportunity to acquire advanced knowledge and skills
in the therapeutic use of pharmacologic agents, herbals, and supplements. The graduate learner will explore the pharmacologic treatment of major health problems and examine the principles of pharmacogenomics. The effects of culture, ethnicity, age, pregnancy, gender, healthcare setting, and funding of pharmacologic therapy will be examined. Emphasis on the concepts for teaching pharmacology as nursing-related measures for health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management for diverse populations across the lifespan.
MSN 620: Adult Education and Online Learning
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course examines the contemporary issues of nursing education. Graduate
learners will explore how changes in the economy, advancements in science, and the explosion of technology have created a paradigm shift in nursing education. Learners will further explore the role of the educator and the application of innovative education strategies. While traditional contexts for learning are included, students will focus on modern technology and trends in adult nursing
education and online learning. A focus on andragogy and the adult learner is an important element of this course.
MSN 640: Curriculum & Instruction in Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course is an examination of the philosophical and historical influences in nursing education within a contemporary context for curricula development. Graduate learners will explore curriculum development, educational philosophy, theories and models, instruction and evaluation, as well as e-learning, simulations, and current technology in nursing education. The course will use
pedagogical frameworks for designing and implementing instructional experiences to develop curricular objectives, select and organize content, and plan program evaluation strategies.
MSN 660: Teaching Methodology in Nursing
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 3 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 45 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Description: This course is an examination of role development and practical methods for effective teaching. The course will examine the selection, application, and evaluation of teaching tools and strategies in the context of health education, continuing education, staff development, classroom and clinical instruction.
MSN 670: Nursing Education Field Experience
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 4 (Integrative Practicum)
Contact Hours: 180 (Integrative Practicum)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: MSN 620, MSN 640, and MSN 660
Corequisites: MSN 680
Description: This course is one (1) of the final two (2) courses in the MSNEd Program. Learners work in this course concurrently with MSN 680: Nursing Education Capstone course to complete a program summative project to demonstrate achievement of course and program outcomes. The Nursing Education Field Experience provides the graduate learner with an opportunity to work collaboratively within the employing organization to address an identified nursing problem, need, or gap in current practices. Learners then work to promote a practice change, quality improvement, or innovation that is based on the existing evidence and best practices.
MSN 680: Nursing Education Capstone
Delivery Modality: Online (Online Didactic Instruction)
Semester Credits: 2 (Didactic Only)
Contact Hours: 30 (Didactic Contact)
Outside Preparation: An average of three (3) hours per week for every didactic credit hour
Prerequisites: MSN 620, MSN 640, and MSN 660
Corequisites: MSN 670
Description: This course is one (1) of the final two (2) courses in the MSNEd Program. Learners work in this course concurrently with MSN 670: Nursing Education Field Experience course to complete a program summative project to demonstrate achievement of course and program outcomes. The capstone course is a scholarly project that addresses an issue, need, gap or opportunity resulting
from an identified need in nursing education or health care. The capstone project provides the opportunity for the graduate learner to demonstrate competency through design, application and evaluation of advanced nursing knowledge and higher-level leadership skills to ultimately improve health outcomes.
MSN Ed Program Outcomes
MSNEd Program Outcomes are aligned with the Institutional Effectiveness Plan and measure the degree to which the Program achieves its stated mission.
Program-Level Learner Outcomes
The MSNEd Program, in alignment with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) 103
Standards for Accreditation of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Programs, has identified Program outcomes, including Program-level learner outcomes and competencies, alumni outcomes, and faculty outcomes to evaluate the MSNEd Program effectiveness. The learner outcomes include program completion and employment rates, achievement of the College’s graduate general education goals, achievement of expected learner outcomes, satisfaction with courses and instruction, and satisfaction with overall program effectiveness.
At Program completion, as measured by evaluation activities throughout the Program, the graduate will
- Integrate the principles of patient-centered and culturally appropriate concepts of planning, delivering, and evaluating prevention and population care into nursing education and clinical practice care (Essential VIII).
- Integrate knowledge gained from nursing, bio-psychosocial fields, genetics/genomics, public health, quality improvement, and organizational sciences for the continual improvement of nursing education in diverse settings (Essential I).
- Analyze nursing research to facilitate the translation and integration of nursing scholarship into practice (Essential III and IV).
- Incorporate leadership, collaborative, and organizational skills into educational practice in order to emphasize ethical and critical decision-making, effective working relationships, and a system- perspective.
- Demonstrate role competency and leadership through the analysis, development and implementation of health policy. Advocate for policies that improve the health of the public and the profession of nursing (Essentials II and VI).
- Analyze nursing practice, legal, and ethical considerations of current communication and emerging healthcare technologies utilized in patient care and nursing education (Essential V).
- Integrate the principles of quality improvement and evaluation into the advanced nurse educator role (Essential III).
- Function as a member of inter/intra professional collaborative team for improving patient and population health outcomes (Essential VII).