If you already hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing, RMU offers a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) with a concentration in nursing education to prepare you for a career as an educator in health care and academic settings. This CCNE-accredited program is designed to provide maximum flexibility and support for individuals with busy professional lives. Courses are taught using a combination of online and classroom study, with only 50 percent of course work completed on campus.

About the Program: Program Options Program Objectives Program Format Career Outlook Curriculum Application Procedures Tuition Program Location

Strong interdisciplinary courses and individualized practicum experiences make this program attractive to the busy professional nurse. Each student receives a PDA (personal digital assistant) for use in classroom and practicum experiences as part of an innovative strategy to facilitate the development of technological skills and to provide instant access to health-related information.

The M.S.N. in Nursing Education will provide you with knowledge of the educational process and practical experiences that will prepare you to be an effective educator and leader. The curriculum combines strong interdisciplinary support courses in education and information science with focused nursing courses to develop expertise in teaching and presentation methods that incorporate the use of technology.

Program Objectives

The M.S.N degree program prepares students to:

1. Demonstrate mastery of advanced knowledge and skills in a specialized role.
2. Critically evaluate knowledge and theories from nursing and other disciplines for their contribution to nursing practice.
3. Demonstrate leadership activities to advance the profession of nursing.
4. Critically evaluate issues relative to nursing practice and health care in light of scientific knowledge and personal and societal values.
5. Analyze how health care delivery systems are organized and financed, and the effect on patient care.
6. Communicate clearly and succinctly in speech and writing.

Program Format
The M.S.N. is a 36-credit, part-time evening degree program that can be completed in six semesters (two years) by taking two courses per semester. Courses are offered in two eight week sessions per semester, with on-campus classes supplemented by out-of-class online activities. Approximately half of the coursework is completed in the classroom and half completed online.

Career Outlook
In addition to the nursing shortage, a national shortage of nursing faculty exists. In a recent survey of nursing programs, more than one-third of the schools cited faculty shortages as the reason for turning away qualified students. There is a tremendous need to develop strong nursing educators to resolve this faculty shortage and to provide educational programs in hospitals and communities. This rewarding and exciting career provides the opportunity to shape the future of nursing.

Curriculum

Application Procedures
Admission to the M.S.N. program requires a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university with a minimum undergraduate QPA of 3.25, and at least one year of work experience as an RN. (If the undergraduate QPA is below 3.25, the student may be given the option of taking the GRE for admission consideration.)

Applicants should submit the following credentials to the Graduate Admissions Office:

1. A completed application and a non-refundable $35 application fee. Or apply online for free.
2. Official undergraduate transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
3. A copy of the applicant's RN license.
4. A current résumé.
5. Two letters of recommendation.
6. A 300-word essay describing the applicant's career goals and reason for pursuing the M.S.N. degree.

Applicants also are required to participate in a personal interview with the nursing faculty.

Tuition
Please see our Tuition page for this semester's tuition rate.

RMU offers an affiliate tuition rate for students who work for one of our participating affiliate organizations. This rate is a 25% discount off the current per-credit tuition rate. To learn how your organization can become an RMU affiliate, contact the School of Nursing & Health Sciences at 412-397-2426.

Program Location
Offered primarily in Cranberry Township. Selected courses may be available at RMU's downtown Pittsburgh and Moon Township locations.