Nurse Educator in front of a classroom of student nurses
Online MSN Nurse Educator (MSN-NE)
Step into Your Future as a Certified Nurse Educator and Mentor

Online MSN Nurse Educator (MSN-NE)

5
Semesters
$601
Ohio Resident, Cost Per Credit
30
Credit Hours

Help Solve Health Care Challenges as a Nurse Educator

The Ohio University online MSN Nurse Educator (MSN-NE) program is ideal for nurses who want to become clinical educators or nursing faculty members. You'll practice new teaching strategies, create staff development opportunities and develop nursing education materials. Teaching practicum experiences occur in academic and direct care settings with qualified preceptors.

The online MSN Nurse Educator program will provide graduates with the concepts and skills needed to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam upon graduation.

Program Benefits

  • 500 hours of nursing education experience
  • CCNE accredited
  • Top 50 Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs1
  • 15% scholarship available for eligible programs
  • Transfer up to nine credits
  • No GRE/GMAT required
  • Low student-to-teacher ratio

FAQs

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Share Your Nursing Expertise With the Next Generation

As a graduate of the online MSN Nurse Educator program, you can pursue advancement as a nurse educator and clinical nurse leader. These positions are often in demand at higher education institutions and healthcare organizations. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, roles for nursing instructors and teachers will grow 11% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for most other occupations.2

Career Outlook

Top Careers for MSN-NE Graduates

  • Nurse Educators at General Medical-Surgical Hospitals

    $95,600

    annual mean wage3

  • Nursing Instructors, Educational Support Services

    $92,470

    annual mean wage3

  • Nursing Faculty at Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools

    $85,900

    annual mean wage3

  • Nursing Instructors at Technical and Trade Schools

    $81,470

    annual mean wage3

Study Advanced Nursing Theory and Practice

15-week Classes | 11 Courses

Ohio University's online MSN Nurse Educator program provides advanced knowledge of nursing theory and practice. You'll learn to evaluate the design, delivery and assessment of nursing education programs in various settings. Eligible graduates may sit for the NLN CNE exam upon graduation.

Online MSN NE Course Highlights

  • NRSE 7840 Foundations for Nurse Educators
  • NRSE 7841 Instructional and Teaching Strategies
  • NRSE 7842 Educational Design, Assessment and Evaluation

View Complete Curriculum

Online MSN Nurse Educator Program Requirements

Transfer up to 9 eligible credits | No GRE/GMAT required

The Ohio University Graduate College manages the application process for all Master of Science in Nursing programs. The online MSN Nurse Educator track admits students each fall. 


Fall 2025:

  • Application Deadline: 07/06/25
  • Classes Begin: 08/25/25

To apply to OHIO's online degree, you will need:

  • Online application: Apply Now
  • Awarded Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 calculated across all undergraduate transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation. A minimum of two must be from individuals prepared at or above the master's level. At least one must be from an APRN or RN.
  • Resume or CV
  • Proof of residence and evidence of valid, unrestricted RN licensure. View a list of approved states
  • A web-based admission interview with faculty
  • Evidence of the equivalent of two years of full-time experience working as an RN within the past five years
  • Pre-clinical requirements:
    • Specified health status/clinical requirements (i.e., immunization status, BLS certification) per the current Graduate Handbook
    • Federal and state background checks free from disqualifying offenses
    • Evidence of malpractice insurance

View Application Process

Tuition and Aid Details

$18,030 Total Tuition (Resident) | $601 Per Credit (Resident) | Scholarships Available

Ohio University's online nursing education program offers a Top 50 nursing education1 at an affordable price. The Nurse Educator track prepares you to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam. Graduates of this track may teach in academic, clinical or health care education settings. 

Listed tuition is for estimating purposes only and is subject to change.

Tuition Details

  • Accreditation

    The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate programs at Ohio University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

  • Online Learning at OHIO

    Ohio University has a long tradition of offering online programs specifically designed for the modality and created for working professionals. Our online students complete engaging, comprehensive coursework that combines the academic excellence and experience-based learning of a traditional program with all the flexibility and convenience of online study.

    With asynchronous courses and part-time scheduling (one course per seven weeks), you can earn your degree while maintaining your current work and personal commitments. Virtual office hours give you the opportunity to connect with peers and faculty. Access your coursework 24/7 and complete your assignments on a schedule that fits your life.

What You'll Learn

Students in the online MSN Nurse Educator program will become leaders in the learning process, preparing nurses ready to thrive in a diverse, ever-changing health care environment. MSN graduates are eligible for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other disciplines as a basis for clinical judgment, clinical reasoning and innovative evidence-based education and practice.
  • Incorporate evidence-based practice in delivering person-centered care to enhance health outcomes and improve health systems.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to select and apply principles of population health and advocacy strategies that optimize health outcomes for individuals, families, communities and populations.
  • Integrate and evaluate evidence-based practice to inform and promote advanced clinical practice.
  • Analyze and apply quality improvement strategies to create a culture of safe, professional nursing practice that optimizes health and protects all.
  • Apply leadership skills as a member of the interprofessional team to optimize the health of individuals, families and populations within complex health care environments.
  • Apply evidence-based, innovative strategies based on organizational and systems policies to enhance value, access, quality and cost-effectiveness within complex health care delivery systems.
  • Integrate information technology systems to drive decision-making, health care change and interdisciplinary communication in complex health care delivery systems.
  • Integrate the role of the advanced practice nurse by utilizing effective professional communication and presence to promote person-centered care.
  • Contribute to an environment that promotes self-care, personal health, well-being and professional development in a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Learn From Leading Experts

Faculty who teach for the MSN Nurse Educator program are current practitioners involved in numerous research and scholarly activities, including publications, presentations and grants.

As a student, you'll benefit from:

  • Faculty who are connected to the nursing field and its innovations
  • Collaborations between faculty and students
  • Mentorship and individual support throughout the program

Faculty Spotlight

Sherleena Buchman,

PhD, MSN, BSN, ASN, LPN, Assistant Professor


Dr. Sherleena Buchman, an Assistant Professor in the College of Health Science Professions, has special interest and expertise in nursing and interprofessional education, as well as education technologies. She brings this vital knowledge to students to help them graduate as true masters in their fields.


Read More About Dr. Sherleena Buchman

Sherleena Buchman

Related Programs

  • Online Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate


    Become a leader in nursing education with our Online Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate. Upon graduation, you'll be fully prepared to sit for the NLN Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam, marking your expertise in this rapidly growing field.

  • MSN Nurse Leader


    Transform your nursing career into leadership with our Online MSN Nurse Leader program. Learn to provide quality, patient-centered care while developing the skills needed to lead health care teams.

Answers to Common Questions

Find answers to common questions about the online program. For information not covered here, our expert admissions team is available to provide additional details and guidance.

Get More Answers

What classes will I be taking for my certificate?

Students with a current APRN License – Current APRNs who are pursuing an APRN certificate will, more than likely, progress directly into a clinical course in their first semester. This means that current APRNs should have possible preceptors and sites in mind when applying These applicants should also contact the School of Nursing at graduatenursing@ohio.edu and request the clinical overview sheets and preceptor packet for their program.

If I graduate from the program, will I be licensed in my state as an APRN?

The online, Post-Graduate MSN Nurse Educator Certificate is intended to prepare students to train expert individuals and teams across healthcare settings. State Boards of Nursing set individual standards for licensure in their state. It is highly recommended that students who seek admission to Nursing programs at Ohio University contact their home state’s Board of Nursing to verify that the desired program and its graduates will meet the eligibility criteria for approval for those credentials. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has contact information for Boards of Nursing on their site, located here: www.ncsbn.org.

What certification exams do students take? What is your first-time pass rate?

Our programs are intended to provide students with the opportunity to acquire the educational eligibility to meet standards for NE certification or other professional distinctions through examination. A list of examinations and their credentialing bodies appears later in this document. On average, 95% of graduates pass the certification exam on the first attempt.

How long is the program?

Most of our programs are three fifteen-week semesters in length with students taking courses in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Students have up to six years to complete the program.

How many hours do I take per semester? Is this a full-time program?

The programs of study appear later in this document. Most students take 2 fifteen-week courses each semester for 5-9 total credits. Students can take fewer courses but it will take longer to complete their program. The definition of a full-time program can differ among financial aid or tuition reimbursement programs and you will want to check with that particular program’s administrator.

Is the program completely online?

This program is completed entirely online. Software applications utilized in nursing classes will work on either PCs or MACs. Office 365 Pro Plus is required and is now available at no charge to Ohio University students.

Sources

  1. U.S. News & World Report. Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs. Retrieved August 16, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/.
  2. U.S. Department of Labor. Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary: 25-1072.00. O*NET OnLine. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from https://www.onetonline.org/.
  3. U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 25-1072. Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/.