Master of Science in Nursing
Nursing Education Program
The School of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing Education. The program was designed and developed to provide students the opportunity to obtain the theory, skill and experience to teach within the college or university setting or within the education department of a clinical facility. Courses provide information on the operations of higher education organizations, on teaching and learning strategies and in the area of curriculum development. Two practicum courses allow the student to learn through experience the role of the educator in both the classroom and clinical settings.
With the goal of reducing the nursing shortage through increasing nursing faculty and therefore graduates of nursing programs, Tennessee State University offers a program that includes all aspects of the faculty role. Students will participate in the day to day life of the university at every level. The structure and function of departments and their interaction with each other and the faculty member will be addressed. Students will be introduced to theories of learning and curriculum building. Clinical teaching of undergraduate students will be shared with assigned faculty. The accreditation process and the role of faculty in service, research and scholarship will be experienced.
The MSN program combines the highest academic standards of a fully accredited University and School of Nursing with a faculty rich in teaching experience. All faculty in the MSN program are doctorally prepared and credentialed in the areas of education administration, curriculum development and clinical practice. The advantage of a classroom experience for the education courses enhances the student’s ability to question and develop as new teachers. Sitting with peers in the learning environment will provide a frame of reference for classmates and allow shared experiences of faculty to structure the understanding of the teaching role. Computer and on line learning is limited to the development of presentations and manuscripts/papers on assigned topics.
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Step 1: Graduate School Requirements
1. Visit the Graduate School at Tennessee State University either in person or online at
Complete the application form and submit the fee. Alumni are exempt from the fee requirement.
3. Contact all previous colleges or universities and request transcripts be sent directly to the Graduate School. The School of Nursing will receive your transcripts from the Graduate School as a part of your application file.
Submit to the Graduate School:
Þ Three completed references (forms are available from the nursing office or online). One reference should be from a current clinical supervisor, and one from your School of Nursing or Nursing Program.
Þ A resume
Þ A photocopy of your current RN license
Þ Professional memberships
Þ Documentation of community service if possible
Þ Continuing education (CEU’s)
Þ Professional memberships
Þ BLS Certification
Þ Liability Insurance
Þ A typed statement of professional goals upon completion of the certificate in Nursing Education
Step 2: School of Nursing Requirements
1. Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 for Unconditional Admission; 2.5 for Conditional Admission. If admitted conditionally, three nursing courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “B” in all three courses. Admission status will be upgraded following the completion of the three courses.
3. An active RN license.
Step 3: Admission to the School of Nursing
1. Apply to the graduate school before July 15th for Fall admission.
2. The Graduate School will forward your admission materials to the School of Nursing after the application deadline and upon completion of your file.
3 The School of Nursing will arrange an in person or conference call admission interview.
4. Once interviews are completed for eligible can didates, letters will be sent announcing admission status.
PROGRAM OF STUDY
The Nursing Education concentration is offered on the Main TSU Campus in Nashville, Tennessee. Students will take all courses in the classroom setting. The core curriculum required courses are also offered on WebCT.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Core Curriculum Required Courses
FALL YEAR I
NURS 5000 Nursing Theory 3
NURS 5040 Role Development 3
NURS 5210 Pathophysiology 3
NURS 5280 Pharmocology 3
SPRING YEAR I
NURS 5020 Research 3
NURS 5100 Advanced Assessment 4
NURS 5230 Nursing Education 3
MAJOR CONCENTATION
FALL YEAR II
NURS 5250 Nursing Education II 4
NURS 5290 or 5320 or 5360
Clinical Option I 4
NURS 5220 Project Writing 3
SPRING YEAR II
NURS 5270 Nursing Education III 5
NURS 5300 or 5340 or 5380
Clinical Option II 4
NURS 5220 Project Writing 3
ELECTIVES (Optional)
NURS 5240 Selected Topics 3
NURS 5260 Selected Topics 3
TOTAL HOURS TO COMPLETE 45
POST-GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN NURSING EDUCATION
Nurses who hold a Master of Science in Nursing degree from a nationally accredited program and are interested in continuing study in Nursing Education may be eligible to enter post graduate studies. The three pre-requisite courses required for advanced practice nursing – Advanced Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology – will need to have been completed before beginning the Nursing Education courses. If the MSN program from which the applicant graduated did not include these courses, the three advanced courses may be taken through Tennessee State University before beginning the Education Concentration courses.
Graduation from the post-graduate certificate program will require successful completion of the 20 hours of the Nursing Education Concentration courses and all associated clinical hours. Post graduate students begin with NURS 5230 in the Spring Semester, and complete all education courses sequentially. Please see the course list for the semester each course is offered.