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About the MSN Nurse Educator Degree

Why Pursue an MSN Nurse Educator Degree at Cedarville?

Gain further knowledge in the sciences, healthcare leadership and policy, evidence-based practice, and advanced clinical practice with Cedarville’s online, Christian MSN Nurse Educator program. The courses you'll take are fully integrated with biblical truth, equipping you to serve with Christlike compassion and make nursing your ministry for Christ.

Cedarville's affordable, accredited MSN Nurse Educator degree offers advanced nursing knowledge and skills in a convenient format. All courses are online, with full-time and part-time options available. When you graduate, you'll have met the educational requirements to sit for the Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) exam through the National League for Nursing.

For nurses who already hold an MSN degree, Cedarville offers a Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education, providing an abbreviated version of this program.

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Scholarships Available!

A limited number of $3,000–$5,000 scholarships are now available to graduate nursing students with financial need. Apply today!

Top 5 in Ohio

U.S. News & World Report listed Cedarville University’s online MSN program in the top 100 programs nationally and top 5 in Ohio.

CCNE Accreditation Seal

The master's degree program in nursing at Cedarville University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

What Sets Cedarville Apart?

  • Biblical Worldview
    All courses are built on the solid foundation of Scripture.

  • Advanced Practice
    Cedarville's MSN will equip you with the training and skills you need to serve as an advanced practice nurse.

  • Online
    All MSN courses are offered in an online format, with flexible part-time and full-time completion options.

Program Overview

Christian MSN Nurse Educator Program Highlights

Convenient — All MSN courses are offered in an online format with part-time and full-time completion options.

Affordable — Cedarville’s MSN NE program has the lowest cost of all graduate nurse practitioner programs in the state of Ohio. Financial aid, including scholarships, is also available.

Outstanding Christian Faculty — You will be taught and mentored by faculty members who have both high academic credentials and clinical experience. They are passionate about helping you use nursing as a ministry.

Certification and Licensure — Graduates of the MSN Nurse Educator area of focus meet the educational requirements to sit for the Certification for Nurse Educators (CNE) exam through the National League for Nursing. If you reside outside of Ohio you should contact your state board of nursing regarding the rules and regulations pertaining to licensure/clinical supervision and additional guidance before beginning the MSN program. Use our interactive certification and licensure map to view each state's authorization status for MSN specializations and links to its state board of nursing website.

What Can You Do With an MSN Nurse Educator Degree?

MSN Nurse Educator graduates are equipped to teach in healthcare or educational settings as a nurse educator, staff educator, clinical faculty, and continuing education providers.

Thumbnail for video titled: Stewarding Your Gifts With a Graduate Degree from Cedarville University

Stewarding Your Gifts With a Graduate Degree from Cedarville University

President Thomas White outlines Cedarville University’s vision for graduate education, focusing on stewardship, academic excellence, and Gospel purpose. He explains how developing God-given gifts through advanced study brings glory to God, serves others, and prepares graduates to influence culture with truth, compassion, and conviction through faith-integrated learning.

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Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

You will work collaboratively with other online students in discussion boards and group work.

You will complete 300 clinical/practicum hours (100 direct care/200 practicum):

  • Applying content learned during the program in multiple educational settings including academic classrooms, healthcare facilities, and community settings
  • Classroom, clinical, and simulation teaching with professional educator as preceptor
  • Collaborating with nursing faculty in curriculum and courses
  • Designing and practice teaching and learning strategies
  • Developing in-depth knowledge and expertise in the delivery of advanced nursing care

Admission, Costs and Aid, Start Dates

Admission Requirements — The first step in your graduate school journey at Cedarville is to apply for admission.

MSN Admission Requirements

Costs and Financial Aid — Your decision to pursue quality, Christian graduate education represents a valuable investment in your career and professional development. To assure your degree is also affordable, Cedarville graduate programs are competitively priced and can be supplemented with a variety of financial aid.

MSN Nurse Educator Cost Information

Program Start Dates — You can enroll and begin classes in August, January, or May.

Nurse Educator FAQs

What is a nurse educator?

Nurse Educator graduates are equipped to teach in healthcare settings as educators, or in academic settings as faculty members. The MSN degree provides in-depth, professional and advanced practice study for nurses to expand their knowledge of healthcare delivery, clinical expertise, leadership, and use of evidence-based practice grounded in biblical truth.

I have many choices for an NE program, why would I chose Cedarville's MSN NE program?

Cedarville University School of Nursing is uniquely positioned to provide a rigorous academic graduate program while maintaining a low student to faculty ratio and affordable price. The is dedicated to the integration of a biblical worldview into the MSN curriculum, which prepares graduates to use nursing as a ministry for Jesus Christ.

Can I work full time and be a full-time student?

The majority of NE students maintain full-time employment. However, once you begin the clinical courses, anticipate one-two days a week to meet the clinical requirement for the two clinical/practicum semesters. If you have flexibility with self-scheduling, 12-hour shifts, or working weekends, this will be more conducive to maintaining full-time employment. We recognize that you are balancing many life demands, and your decision to apply to graduate school implies you have determined that you will be able to balance work, school, and life demands.

What will my credentials and certifications be?

NE students meet the educational requirements to sit for the certification for nurse educator exam through the National League for Nursing.

What are the clinical requirements for the specialty?

There are 300 clinical hours required for the NE area of focus. The clinical hours will be spread over two semesters. In Advanced Clinical Applications, you will be required to complete 100 hours of direct patient care. This clinical course will provide you the opportunity to gain additional knowledge and skills in advanced health assessment, diagnostic and clinical reasoning, and pharmacology. For the Nursing Education Practicum, you will be required to complete 200 practicum hours. In this course, you will have the opportunity to develop competencies as a nurse educator in the academic or healthcare setting.

How do you match me with clinical preceptors?

The NE track coordinator and the Graduate Clinical and Practicum Placement Coordinator (GPC) will partner with you to secure clinical site placement. The GPC will initiate contact with you early in your program to establish goals and map out a tentative clinical plan.

There are many variables that impact clinical placement choice including desired hours, geographic location, career goals, previous background, and preceptor/clinical site availability. An approved site has an educational affiliation agreement in place, has been evaluated by the NE Area of Focus Coordinator, and has a verbal commitment by the preceptor. Preceptors must be qualified to provide clinical supervision in the direct care clinical (MD, APRN) and the nursing education practicum (MSN, NE).

Is travel required as part of my clinical placements?

Travel is often necessary during the clinical courses. While the CPC will work with you to secure clinical site placement as close to your geographical location it may be necessary to travel to obtain required clinical hours.

How many times do I need to be on campus?

There are no required on campus experiences for NE students.

Program Curriculum

You will complete 12 graduate nursing core semester hours, 9 direct care core semester hours, 17 semester hours of Nurse Educator specialty courses, and 3 semester hours of a graduate-level Bible course (if this Bible requirement was not previously satisfied with an undergraduate Bible minor or approved alternative).

See curriculum guides for a further description of MSN part-time and full-time completion options.

Diagram of the progression and increasing specificity of course studies in MSN as represented by a pyramid.

Sample courses:

  • Biblical Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Teaching and Learning Strategies for Nurse Educators

Program Format and Related Programs

Cedarville offers graduate and undergraduate programs with flexible completion options. You may also want to consider these related programs as you choose the degree or program that is the best fit for you.

Program Level and Format

  • Graduate
  • Online
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From Our Director:

  • Cedarville University's nursing programs and curricula prepare graduate students to implement the best evidence-based guidelines and expert clinician experience to develop equitable outcomes for populations. We integrate academic rigor, a biblical worldview, and low faculty-to-student ratios to use nursing as a ministry for Jesus Christ.
    Marcia Williams, PhD, APRN-FNP, Associate Dean, Director of Graduate Nursing Programs, Assistant Professor of Nursing
    Marcia Williams
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Program Contacts

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Maggie Hess

Director of Graduate Admissions - Online and Ministry Programs

Contact

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Marcia Williams, PhD, APRN-FNP

Program Director - Graduate Nursing Programs, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Contact

School of Nursing

Program News

  • Nurse bandaging a child's finger.

    School of Nursing Joins International Honor Society

    Cedarville University nursing students can now join Sigma Theta Tau through the Zeta Phi at-large chapter, gaining access to professional networking, continuing education and career opportunities while recognizing the achievement of 37 newly inducted students.
  • Nurse listens to little boy's heart and lungs.

    Advancing Care: Grad Nursing Program Equips Nurses for Leadership

    Cedarville University’s graduate nursing program is celebrating 15 years of growth, national recognition and a 98% placement rate after preparing nearly 400 graduates for advanced practice roles across the country.
Logo - Illuminated lightbulb with a filament appearing like the three crosses of Calvary. Text: Cedarville Insights.

For more information related to our MSN and DNP degree programs, visit our Insights Blog where you can read interesting posts like Balancing Job, Family, and Grad School: 5 Principles for Christian Nurses.