The Best Online MSN Nurse Educator Programs
Credit: rubberball / Brand X Pictures / Getty ImagesThe best online master of science in nursing (MSN) nurse educator programs offer flexible, career-focused paths for nurses who want to help train future generations of nursing professionals.
These graduate-level nurse educator programs prepare experienced nurses to teach in academic or clinical settings through evidence-based instruction, curriculum design, and educational technology.
This guide explores top online MSN in nursing education programs, what they require for admission, what to expect during the program, and the nurse educator career opportunities that await after graduation.
The Best Online Nurse Educator Programs
Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Texas A&M's College Station offers an online MSN in nursing education comprising 36 credit hours, which can take a minimum of seven semesters to complete.
The program also requires 45 clinical hours that take place in two separate on-site visits. Because of the on-campus requirements, the university highly recommends students reside in the state for the entirety of the program.
Upon graduation, students qualify to take theCertified Nurse Educator exam offered by the National League for Nursing.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: College Station, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $805 per credit for in-state residents; $1,335 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active RN license; completion of an undergraduate level statistics course with a minimum grade of "C"
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 98.2% (2021)
- In-State$8,395
- Out-of-state$36,849
- In-State$6,775
- Out-of-state$19,048
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled70,418
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
Western Governors University
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Online
The online MSN nursing education program atWestern Governors University comprises 15 courses totalling 36 credit hours, which can be completed over four six-month terms.
The curriculum consists of core nursing courses and specialty classes in nursing education. Because tuition is per term rather than per credit, students can elect to take as many online MSN core courses as they can in each term.
The university also offers an online RN-to-MSN bridge program, with a specialty in nursing education bridge program for nurses who hold an associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma. Upon completion, graduates will have a BSN and an MSN.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Tuition: $4,370 per six-month term with a minimum of four six-month terms; $4,000 per six-month term for the undergraduate portion of the RN-to-MSN bridge program
- Admission Requirements: BSN; an active RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months; 42 months (RN-to-MSN bridge program)
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 91.6% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $86,990 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$6,380
- Out-of-state$6,380
- In-State$7,500
- Out-of-state$7,500
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled147,866
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Stony Brook University
- Stony Brook, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Stony Brook University provides RNs with the opportunity to earn an MSN in nursing education in 36 months by completing 45 credit hours.
The curriculum includes core classes in organizational leadership; quality improvement, safety, and healthcare technologies; and healthcare policy and advocacy. General nursing courses focus on research, pharmacology, health assessment, and pathophysiology.
Courses specific to nursing education include the facilitation of adult learning; curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation; teaching strategies; and theory and practice in nursing education.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: Stony Brook, New York
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $471 per credit for in-state residents; $963 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA; active RN license; undergraduate courses in health assessment and statistics; one year of relevant experience (preferred)
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 95.5% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $105,660 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$7,070
- Out-of-state$24,740
- In-State$11,310
- Out-of-state$23,100
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled26,782
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The MSN in nursing education program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley comprises 36 credit hours that can be completed in as little as 20 months.
While the program is offered entirely online, upon acceptance, all students are assigned an advisor who will prepare them for their first semester and guide them throughout their education.
The curriculum consists of two categories of courses — required and practice — and a capstone requirement. The required courses include subject areas, such as pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, and informatics. Practice courses include curriculum development, delivery of nursing education, evaluation, and instructional design.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: Edinburg, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $724 per credit for in-state students; $1,132 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA; active RN license; completion of an undergraduate statistics course
- Minimum Time Commitment: 20 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 93.4% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $106,420 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$7,233
- Out-of-state$17,049
- In-State$6,458
- Out-of-state$13,820
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate82%
- Students Enrolled32,441
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
The University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of West Florida offers a two-year MSN in nursing education program that comprises 39 credit hours with course lengths ranging from 8-16 weeks. Twelve of the 39 credits are in MSN core courses, while the other 27 credits include nursing education specialization courses.
Core courses focus on foundations of nursing science, population health promotion, leadership and policy strategies, pharmacology, health assessment, pathophysiology, and evidence in advanced nursing practice.
Education courses include advanced nursing practice for educators, advanced clinical practicum, education practicums, and education seminars.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: Pensacola, Florida
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $425 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA; active RN license; completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a "C" grade or better
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 91.5% (2019)
- In-State$3,735
- Out-of-state$16,004
- In-State$7,088
- Out-of-state$22,166
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled13,061
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Cedarville University
- Cedarville, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The MSN nurse educator program atCedarville University comprises 41 credit hours and can be completed on either a full- or part-time basis. Those who enroll as full-time students can complete the program in two years.
Credit hours are broken down as follows: 12 in core nursing courses, nine in direct care, 17 in nurse educator specialty courses, and three in a graduate-level Bible course.
Students are also required to complete 100 clinical hours of direct care and 200 practicum hours. Practicum hours include classroom, clinical, and simulation teaching; designing curriculum; and collaborating with professional educators and nursing faculty.
- Program(s): MSN nurse educator
- Campus: Cedarville, Ohio
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Higher Learning Commission
- Tuition: $648 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA; active RN license; completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and nursing research
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 84.4% (2021)
- In-State$32,364
- Out-of-state$32,364
- In-State$9,065
- Out-of-state$9,065
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate59%
- Students Enrolled4,461
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Texas Christian University
- Fort Worth, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Texas Christian University offers a two-year and three-year track MSN nurse educator program. The required 34 credits include 29 semester hours of didactic coursework, two semester hours of a clinical practicum, and three semester hours of a teaching practicum.
Students who enroll in the MSN nurse educator program at TCU choose one of two populations on which to focus their studies: adult gerontology or pediatrics. While most of the curriculum remains the same for both options, students must complete their clinical practicum in their chosen population focus.
- Program(s): MSN nurse educator
- Campus: Fort Worth, Texas
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $1,870 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA; active RN license; basic life support certification from the American Heart Association; one year of clinical experience (preferred)
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 93.3% (2021)
- In-State$51,570
- Out-of-state$51,570
- In-State$32,220
- Out-of-state$32,220
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate48%
- Students Enrolled11,379
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
- Lancaster, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The MSN nursing education program at thePennsylvania College of Health and Sciences comprises 34 credits and takes two years to complete. Students will complete three semesters per year in the fall, spring, and summer.
The curriculum includes core courses in pharmacology; pathophysiology; healthcare policy and finance; and health promotion and disease prevention in a diverse society. Education courses cover curriculum design, teaching strategies, assessment, and the role of educators in clinical and academic settings.
The college also offers a post-master's certificate in nursing education for nurses who already possess an MSN. The certificate program consists of five courses (15 credit hours) and can take as little as a year to complete.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Middle States Commision on Higher Education
- Tuition: $915 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA; active RN license; completion of undergraduate courses in health assessment and statistics
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 93.8% (2022)
- In-State$29,386
- Out-of-state$29,386
- In-State$16,128
- Out-of-state$16,128
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled2,011
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Duquesne University
- Pittsburgh, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Duquesne University's MSN in nursing education program requires 36 credits hours and 225 clinical hours. It typically takes students two and a half years to earn their degree.
Courses include pharmacology, pathophysiology, population-based health promotion, healthcare ethics, evidenced-based practice and policy development, historical and contemporary nursing foundations, and advanced clinical nursing.
Education courses include subject matter in educational theory; curriculum design and evaluation; and trends and innovations in the teaching of nursing.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition: $58,860 total
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum 3.0 GPA; active RN license; one year of full-time experience; completion of an undergraduate statistics course with a
- 'C" grade or better
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 95.6% (2022)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $88,740 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$41,892
- Out-of-state$41,892
- In-State$24,048
- Out-of-state$24,048
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled8,830
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Union University
- Jackson, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The MSN nursing education program atUnion University offers a full-time and a part-time track, both of which require the completion of 41 credits. Full-time students can finish the program in four semesters (16 months), while part-time students can finish in seven semesters (28 months).
Courses include nursing statistics, health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, informatics, prevention and population health, collaborative strategies, and nursing ethics. Education classes focus on curriculum design; educational and clinical strategies in nursing; and educational assessment and evaluation.
Students must also complete 100 clinical hours, 80 hours of a nursing education practicum, and 160 hours of a nursing education residency.
- Program(s): MSN in nursing education
- Campus: Jackson, Tennessee
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $665 per credit
- Admission Requirements: BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 credit hours; a science GPA of 3.0
- Minimum Time Commitment: 16 months
- On-Campus Requirements: No
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 93% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $90,410 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$22,080
- Out-of-state$22,080
- In-State$10,625
- Out-of-state$10,625
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled3,071
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing programs, making it easy to find a program that meets your needs. Informed by data from the most reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Education, our methodology is based on metrics that matter most to nursing students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This list is from 2023.
Using Our Rankings: What To Look for in an Online MSN Nursing Education Program
When your career goal is to become a nurse educator, choosing the right online MSN in nursing education program is essential. These graduate programs prepare you to teach in academic or clinical settings. By understanding the key features, such as program curriculum and graduation rate, you can avoid applying to programs that do not align with your academic and professional goals.
Admission Requirements
Most nursing education programs share core admission standards, but some schools may require specific academic achievements, clinical experience, or teaching-related work history. Reviewing requirements in advance helps you target programs that match your qualifications.
Program Curriculum
Though nursing education programs often cover similar core topics, some also offer specialized electives. Look for a curriculum that supports your nurse educator goals, particularly if you’re interested in a specific teaching environment or population.
Clinical Experience and Teaching Practicum
Practical experience is a vital component of your programs. Pay close attention to the structure and location of clinical rotations and teaching practica. Some programs assist with placement, which can simplify the process for online learners. These hands-on opportunities enhance your teaching skills.
Accreditation
Accreditation ensures the program meets national standards for nursing education. Choosing an accredited program is critical to qualify for financial aid, licensing, career advancement, and competitive teaching roles. Most programs, including all the programs in this ranking, are fully accredited.
Program Length
Program length depends on whether you study full or part time. Full-time study allows you to graduate quicker, but may require you to step back from employment. Part-time options offer more flexibility but take longer to finish.
School Graduation Rate
The school’s graduation rate reflects the quality of student support, curriculum, and instruction. High graduation rates often signal a program that successfully prepares students to complete their degrees and advance in their careers.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Online MSN in nursing education format varies. Some are entirely online, while others include occasional on-campus components. All accredited programs require in-person clinical and practicum experiences. Assess the program’s format against your lifestyle and availability for required in-person components.
Why Is Accreditation Important for Online MSN in Nursing Education Programs?
Accreditation is a formal recognition that the program meets rigorous academic and professional standards. The most widely recognized accreditors in the field are the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation also reflects a school’s commitment to continuous improvement and accountability. These organizations evaluate programs based on criteria, such as curriculum design, faculty qualifications, student support services, and outcomes.
Students benefit from consistent instruction in evidence-based teaching practices, leadership development, and curriculum planning — core competencies for future nurse educators. Notably, all programs featured in our rankings have been reviewed and accredited by recognized agencies. Accreditation is important for several other reasons.
- Mandatory for nursing licensure and national certification eligibility
- Validates that the program delivers high-quality, industry-relevant education
- Allows academic credits to transfer between accredited institutions
- Necessary for admission into advanced nursing degree programs
- Required for eligibility for federal financial aid and scholarships
- Recognized and preferred by most healthcare employers
How Do Online MSN in Nursing Education Programs Work?
Online MSN in nursing education programs prepare you for teaching roles in academic or clinical environments. Unlike clinically focused MSN tracks, these programs emphasize curriculum development, instructional strategies, and evaluation methods.
The structure typically combines core nursing courses with specialized education classes. Most programs offer flexible pacing, so you can participate in part- or full-time study. Courses may be synchronous, with live virtual sessions, or asynchronous, which students complete on their own schedule.
While much of the coursework is online, students must complete in-person practicum and clinical experiences. These hands-on requirements are mandatory, and some programs also require minimal campus visits for labs or faculty meetings. This flexibility makes an online MSN in nursing education an accessible yet comprehensive option for working nurses to pursue a career in education.
Applying to an Online Nursing Educator Program
Applying to an online nursing educator program begins with selecting an accredited program, completing the application, and meeting deadlines for submission. Some programs have rolling admissions and flexible start dates, so it’s easier to apply. Be prepared for potential interviews or an additional screening process.
- Admission Materials: Applicants need an active, unrestricted RN license, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program, and at least two years of clinical experience. ADN-to-MSN bridge options hold the same requirements, without the BSN. Required application materials include official transcripts, professional references, a current resume, and a written statement outlining career goals in nursing education.
- GPA Requirement: 3.0 GPA or higher; some programs may consider a lower GPA
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Nursing Educator Programs
To become a nurse educator online, earn an MSN degree with a focus on nursing education from an accredited online program. Gain clinical experience, complete a teaching practicum, and consider certification, such as the certified nurse educator credential. Many roles may require bedside experience.
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