This program has been updated for the Spring 2027 term.

Admission Overview

Admission to the Master of Science in Nursing Education program is selective. This program enrolls new students in the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

This program prepares registered nurses for educator roles in academic, clinical, and professional development settings. Graduates will be equipped to design curricula, facilitate learning, evaluate outcomes, and advance evidence‑informed educational practice.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials for admission consideration:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Active, unencumbered RN license, including expiration date
• Resume/CV showing at least one year of clinical practice as a registered nurse
• $50 nonrefundable orientation fee

Applications are reviewed only when all required materials have been received, including all official transcripts.

How Applications Are Evaluated

Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of:

• Academic history and GPA
• Nursing experience and demonstrated professional practice

Start Terms

This program admits new students in the:

• Fall
• Spring
• Summer

Deadlines

Applications are reviewed regularly throughout the year, but only when all required materials—including all previous college transcripts—have been received. To guarantee review for the term of your choice, all application materials must be submitted before the posted general deadline. 

Applications submitted by the priority deadline will be reviewed first. Applicants who complete their materials early may receive an admission decision sooner and have a better chance of securing a seat in their preferred term.

If an application becomes complete but space is no longer available, the applicant will be considered for the next available term.

Application deadlines do change from term to term. For specific deadlines, please see the Graduate Admissions Deadline page.

How to Apply

To apply, visit the SUNY Empire application portal and select Graduate:

https://www.sunyempire.edu/application.html

Complete the online application, upload required documents and arrange for all official transcripts to be sent to SUNY Empire. Applications are reviewed only when all required materials have been received.

SUNY Empire alumni and current students do not need to request their Empire transcript.

International Applicants

This program may be completed 100% online. International applicant are eligible to apply. In addition to the listed above, international applicants must submit:

• A NACES‑member course‑by‑course evaluation (e.g., WES) for all non‑U.S. transcripts
• Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS), unless exempt

Applicants must also hold an RN license that complies with program and state regulatory requirements.

Additional Information

Please see the Graduate Admission section of this catalog for a complete listing of materials required to complete a graduate application.

 Program Requirements

The M.S. in Nursing Education program requires a total of 36 credits, including six core courses, three graduate-level courses, four courses within the nursing education specialty, and one graduate-level elective course. All courses are 3 credits each.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core
NURS 6005	Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice	3
NURS 6010	Professional Role Development & Ethics	3
NURS 6015	Nursing Research & Evidence Based Practice	3
NURS 6020	Contemporary Issues in Health Care	3
NURS 6025	Informatics & Healthcare Technology	3
NURS 6030	Population Health, Human Diversity, & Social Issues	3
Additional Graduate-Level Courses
NURS 6080	Advanced Pathophysiology, Health and Physical Assessment, and Pharmacology	3
Nursing Education Specialty Courses
NURS 6050	Curriculum & Program Development	3
NURS 6055	Instructional Design & Teaching with Technology	3
NURS 6060	Measurement Assessment & Evaluation of Learners & Programs	3
NURS XXXX: Graduate Level Elective Requirement		3
NURS 7005	Nursing Education Capstone	3
Total Credits		36

M.S. IN NURSING EDUCATION AND M.S. IN NURSING ADMINISTRATION CAPSTONE EXPERIENCES

The capstone experience requirements are embedded into the Nursing Education Capstone (NURS 7005) and Nursing Administration Capstone (NURS 7010) courses. These experiences are designed to meet both predetermined and personal course learning objectives. Students arrange the practicum experience with a chosen preceptor within their own community, in consultation with the clinical coordinator and the capstone lead faculty.

The capstone experiences require advance planning in order to integrate the experience and coursework into current employment and family schedules. It is recommended that students begin the planning process at least six months before course registration. Students initiate the planning process by contacting the clinical coordinator to receive instructions on how to upload their clinical paperwork into an online secure database for lead faculty review and approval.

These courses are completed at the end of the program and are offered during the 15-week fall and spring terms. Capstone requests are due by June 1 for a fall experience and October 1 for a spring experience.

Guidelines for Capstone Experiences

The capstone component is fulfilled by completing 45 hours working with a preceptor. The preceptor must be an experienced RN who holds at least an MS degree in nursing or a related field. Preceptors facilitate learning experiences within the primary area of concentration (Education or Administration), and they also provide feedback that faculty use for evaluation of student achievement of learning outcomes.

For the Nursing Education Capstone course, participation in a direct care component is a requirement within the capstone practicum. Direct care refers to a professional encounter between a nurse and a patient (individual, family, groups, community, or aggregate), either face to face or virtual, that is intended to achieve specific health goals or achieve selected health outcomes. Direct care may be provided in a wide range of settings, including acute and critical care, long term care, home health, community-based settings, and telehealth (AACN, 2021; Suby, 2009). Education Track students must explain how they will meet the direct care requirement within their practicum.

By the end of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Synthesize advanced nursing knowledge and related theories to drive transformative changes in healthcare practices;
• Lead professionals in strategic planning to effect change in a variety of health care environments;
• Integrate evidence-based strategies in nursing research, education, and practice to address healthcare disparities;
• Pursue and foster dynamic learning opportunities to accelerate professional growth and achievements, while adhering to ethical and legal principles;
• Execute collaborative, person-centered, and culturally sensitive communication strategies across settings, systems, and communities;
• Leverage informatics and healthcare technologies to drive innovative, evidence-based processes