Nursing is both an art and a science. So is teaching.
Both disciplines require passion and compassion, but also careful research and best practices. In today’s increasingly complex health care environment, there is a growing need for experienced nurses who are trained to teach the next generation of health care professionals in an academic or clinical setting.
The Nursing Education program from the University of Rochester School of Nursing is designed for experienced working nurses who want to transition to a teaching role, either as a nurse educator or in patient safety and education.
By earning your master's degree in nursing education, you can change your career path without changing careers, which will broaden your opportunities for advancement and allow for a more regular work schedule.
Learn the proven methods and technologies of effective teaching through a series of hybrid courses (a blend of online and in-person) and then drive those lessons home through real-world interactions and observations.
The Nursing Education program follows a cognitive apprenticeship model, in which students learn by observing, practicing, reflecting, and participating within a community of nurse educators.
Clinical Specialty Options
Nursing education students may pursue the following areas of clinical interest:
Medical-Surgical Nursing
Critical Care Nursing
Emergency Nursing
OR/Perioperative Services
Pediatrics
Women's Health
Ambulatory Nursing
Family Practice/Family Medicine
Community Health
Home Health Care
Program Options
In addition to the traditional master’s program in nursing education, we also offer a:
RN to BS to MS program — Designed for associate-prepared registered nurses who want to earn their bachelor’s in nursing and master’s in nursing education. Provides a savings of up to 20 credits of coursework.
MS to PhD Combined Accelerated program — Designed for bachelor’s-prepared nurses who want to earn their master’s in nursing education and PhD in five years of full-time effort.
Post-Master's Certificate program — Designed for NP, CNS, or CNL graduates who want an additional concentration in education to function more effectively as a clinical or academic faculty; preceptor; or staff or patient educator. This 15-credit, five course sequence can be completed in four semesters.
Program eligibility requirements include:
a bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university
RN licensure within the United States or U.S. territory
one year of clinical experience preferred
CPR certification (professional course must be taken with the American Heart Association or American Red Cross)
statistics course with a grade of C or above. (For those who do not currently meet the requirement, we offer an online, self-paced statistics course which can be completed in as little as four weeks)
official transcripts from all schools attended, including prerequisites (cumulative GPA of 3.0 preferred)
two letters of reference
professional goal statement
resume or CV
writing sample (academic paper or publication)
for international students, TOEFL with a minimum score of 560 (paper-based), 230 (computer-based) or 88 (iBT)
We do not require any standardized test scores as admission criteria for the MNE program. Please send all supplemental application materials to:
Admissions Office University of Rochester School of Nursing Box SON 601 Elmwood Avenue Rochester, NY 14642
Application Deadlines
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a formal cohort start date each fall. Program prerequisites and selected program courses may also be taken as a non-matriculated student in spring and summer semesters.
International students need to apply by April 1 for fall admission, by September 1 for spring admission, and January 2 for summer admission.
Rolling Admissions
Application fee is $50.
Program Costs
Tuition for the Nursing Education program for the 2018-19 academic calendar year is:
$1,510
per credit hour
*other fees may apply.Summer charges may vary. Employees at the University of Rochester may be eligible to receive a substantial tuition benefit (up to 95% tuition waiver).
Program Duration
Students can take one or two courses per semester.
Students may complete this part-time, 35-credit program in as little as five semesters.
Salary Potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for full-time nurse educators in 2017 was:
$79,640
per year at a college or university
$89,390
per year at hospitals
What You Can Do with an MNE
With a Master’s of Nursing Education degree from the UR School of Nursing, you’ll be prepared take on teaching roles in a variety of academic and clinical settings:
Nursing Faculty at a College or University
Hospital/Health System Educator
Staff Development Educator
Patient Education Specialist
One of my favorite things to do is teach diabetic patients and their parents. The relationships you build through teaching are so rewarding. I started to think more about it, and realized I could see myself teaching, not only on the unit, but in a classroom.
Marissa Kloss, BS, RN, student in the MNE program
Level II nurse within Golisano Children’s Hospital
