The Importance of Health Education
Health | 10min Read
Combine your clinical expertise and passion for teaching with the online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Education program at Õ¬ÄÐÆµµÀ. This MSN program track can help prepare you to lead and teach future nursing professionals as an academic or clinical nurse educator in major universities, community colleges, hospitals and healthcare organizations.
The online MSN Nursing Education track is aligned to the core competencies defined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the National League for Nursing. The program provides the essential skills required by registered nurses to either transition into or supports the requirements of the nurse educator role. Graduates of the MSN Nursing Education track meet the educational requirements for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam offered by the National League for Nursing (NLN).
The MSN Nursing Education track integrates hands-on learning throughout. You'll be required to complete a practicum experience, helping you apply your skills in an authentic healthcare setting.
The online MSN Nursing Education program offers an authentic learning experience that develops resume-building skills and knowledge required to teach the next generation of nurses.
Visit the course catalog to view the full MSN in Nursing Education curriculum.
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Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
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Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
SNHU has provided additional information for programs that educationally prepare students for professional licensure or certification. Learn more about what that means for your program on our licensure and certification disclosure page.
Looking to gain professional healthcare experience, even before you graduate? Do it with HEaRT.
Specially designed for learners in healthcare and nursing, HEaRT (Higher Education and Real World Training) is a powerful experiential learning opportunity at SNHU. These online, asynchronous, voluntary experiences help connect students with employers to help solve real-world business problems – so you can be ready to make an impact in your field.
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Upcoming term starts: Aug. 25, 2025 | Nov. 10, 2025
Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.
You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:
Position
Clinical faculty member of graduate nursing programs
Joined
SNHU
2019
Education
"Nurse educators play a vital role in the profession of nursing. Regardless of the setting, our primary role is advancing the profession of nursing through education." - Dr. Crissy Hunter
At Õ¬ÄÐÆµµÀ, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
Founded in 1932, Õ¬ÄÐÆµµÀ is a private, nonprofit institution with over 180,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.
It's easy, fast and free.
Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)
MSN Admission Requirements:
No BSN yet? No problem! SNHU offers an accelerated online RN to MSN pathway option that allows eligible registered nurses to achieve their MSN faster and for less money. The RN to MSN accelerated pathway can be applied to all 5 specialty tracks.
SNHU nursing programs are not authorized in the state of Washington or U.S. territories, and we are not accepting students residing in Washington state or U.S. territories into nursing programs at this time. Currently enrolled students who move into the state of Washington or a U.S. territory will not be able to continue in nursing courses until they move out of the state of Washington or the U.S. territory. Prospective students are encouraged to contact an admission counselor, and current students should contact their academic advisor, for more information.
Applicants and students are advised that their success in their chosen program may be dependent on an ability to meet the Nursing Program Health and Technical Requirements (PDF).
After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.
Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Õ¬ÄÐÆµµÀ are accredited by the , 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.
As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.
*before previously earned credits are applied
Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.
Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.
If 3 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $17,199
If 6 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $15,288
If 9 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $13,377
If 12 of your prior learning credits ($637/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.
Your remaining tuition cost: $11,466
How we estimate your tuition cost:
We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.
Transfer credits toward your master's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Earn credits in leadership, technology and more – while taking advantage of an online graduate tuition discount for active-duty service members and spouses.
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Bring in credits from popular options like CLEP, Sophia Learning, Google and other common credit for prior learning (CPL) experiences.
Learn how you can save money with tuition reimbursement from your employer.
Receive an online tuition discount if your organization has partnered with SNHU for educational benefits. See if your organization partners with us.
Jobs for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers are expected to grow in coming years.1 An MSN in Nursing Education can help prepare you to pursue several roles, from postsecondary teacher to simulation coordinator.
The evolving state of healthcare fuels a need for nurse educators – those who can help prepare nurses in a rapidly changing field – now more than ever.
The online MSN Nursing Education program offers an authentic learning experience that develops resume-building skills and knowledge required to teach the next generation of nurses in a variety of settings.
Teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to experienced nurses and nursing students.
Coordinate and manage the nursing program's simulation and skills lab.
Instruct and evaluate the clinical training of health sciences students.
Evaluate the effectiveness of curriculums established by school boards, states or federal entities.
Oversee student services, academics and faculty research in a specific education department.
Represent the educational needs of nurses and their impact on healthcare equity.
Openings projected each year – on average – for registered nurses through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1
Projected growth for postsecondary teachers through 2032, according to the BLS.1
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
This degree will change my life because all I have ever wanted to do was give back to students what was so feely given to me by my professor. I will be able to be that person that goes above and beyond for a student to make that difference that may allow or encourage them to continue on with their education.
Tara Donovan '23
A master's in nursing education can help position you for a few different career paths.
Primarily, nurse educators can teach in academic or hospital settings. Those who enter the field will educate nurses on the newest processes, standards, technology and safety measures that uphold regulatory requirements and improve patient care.
In the hospital setting, nurse educators are supporting working nurses through on-the-job training. Within academic settings, nurse educators can be found teaching pre-licensure or post-licensure students, helping prepare them for a rewarding career.
The impact of your nursing education MSN, however, will reach far beyond a single job title. As an educator, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of a changing healthcare system.
As the National Academy of Medicine points out, "[Nurse educators] need to be prepared to teach their students about the complex linkages among population health, social determinants of health and health outcomes."3
This, in part, means putting a face to the populations served, becoming more active in local communities and understanding the barriers between individuals and access to healthcare.
Salary expectations for those who have earned a master's in nursing education may vary. Several factors, such as experience, setting, geographic location and job role may impact your earning potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, postsecondary teachers earned a median annual wage of $84,380 in 2022.1
There are several different types of online master's in nursing options. Nursing education is just one of many possible career tracks. And as the field evolves, plenty of new opportunities are growing with it.
You could, for example, pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in healthcare quality and safety, population healthcare or nurse executive leadership or a family nurse practitioner (FNP) degree.
Not sure which path is right for you? No problem. All of SNHU's MSN programs contain the same 5 core courses to start, so you have the option to switch tracks without losing credit. This gives you an opportunity to explore and decide later which direction you'd like to take.
At SNHU, most of our online MSN programs require 36 credits, which is 12 total courses. (The one exception is our MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner track, which requires 51 credits.)
That said, students have the option of taking two courses per term, which is considered full time, or one course per term, which is considered part time. Only you can decide which workload is right for you, but if speed is important to you, the full-time option could be the way to go.
At SNHU, we also understand that your schedule may change term by term, so you can decide as you go what the right balance is for you.
Adding to the flexibility of our programs – our graduate terms are 10 weeks long, with 5 term starts per year. The benefits here are two-fold. On one hand, you can keep going with minimal gaps from one term to the next, to keep the momentum. On the other, you can plan ahead on when you have week-long breaks between terms to get ready for the next term, or assess whether one course or two is best for your upcoming term.
Only you can decide if an MSN in nursing education aligns with your professional goals. That said, if your goal is to enter a role that is personally rewarding, with promising prospects for the future, this program could be an excellent pathway to your goals.
The MSN in Nursing Education at SNHU, for example, reflects "innovative teaching and learning practices, best practices in designing curriculum, individualized assessments and the ins and outs of learning through simulation," said Dr. Crissy Hunter, clinical faculty of graduate nursing programs at SNHU.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts job prospects for postsecondary teachers will grow 8% through 2022 – faster than the national average for all occupations.1 In addition, the BLS reports postsecondary teachers earned a median annual salary of $84,380 in 2023 — higher than the median annual salary for all workers the same year at $48,060.1
Nurse educators will be instrumental in shaping the future of healthcare. As the needs of the industry evolve, so do the roles and responsibilities of teachers.
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.