Nursing, M.S.N.

What You’ll Learn 

Vermont State’s MSN program is designed to provide a flexible learning experience for licensed registered nurses to gain the knowledge and experience to expand into the broad field of nursing education.  

All courses are offered online, with practical experience earned through two practicums within your local community. You’ll design the practicums with faculty guidance to develop your teaching experience in line with your professional goals. The MSN also includes a cultural immersion travel course (national or international) to expand your understanding of the impact of culture on nursing and nursing education. 

Program Curriculum Core (30 Cr)

• AHS 6065 – Healthcare Informatics (3 cr)
• NUR 5014 – Evidence Based Practice & Research in Healthcare (3 cr)
• NUR 5015 – Integrated Advanced Clinical Concepts for Nurse Educators (3 cr)
• NUR 5016 – Sociocultural Perspectives in Nursing Education (3 cr)
• NUR 5025 – The Nurse Educator Role (3 cr)
• NUR 5026 – Teaching & Active Learning Strategies (3 cr)
• NUR 5029 – Curriculum Design, Development & Evaluation (3 cr)
• NUR 5030 – Assessment & Evaluation of Nursing Education (3 cr)
• NUR 5031 – Teaching and Learning in Professional Practice Settings (3 cr)
• NUR 5034 – Simulation & Instructional Technologies for Student Learning (3 cr)

Program Capstone (4 cr)

• NUR 5035 – Nurse Educator Practicum I (2 cr)
• NUR 5036 – Nurse Educator Practicum II (2 cr)

Note: Contact the Program Coordinator for additional curriculum details for 2026-2027 start. 

The MSN at Vermont State will make you a strong candidate for nursing education roles throughout the healthcare and academic fields. Rather than preparing graduates for a single job title, the program develops competencies that support diverse and evolving career pathways in nursing education, including: 

• Teaching and facilitating learning in nursing education programs 
• Designing, implementing, and evaluating nursing curricula 
• Supporting clinical education and preceptorship development 
• Leading staff education and professional development initiatives  
• Integrating simulation and instructional technologies into learning environments 
• Contributing to quality improvement and educational innovation in healthcare organizations 

Nursing educators work in healthcare systems, colleges and universities, simulation centers, community and public health organizations, and professional education environments. 

The master’s degree program in Nursing (MSN) at VTSU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001 Phone 202-887-6791. 

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at VTSU is approved by the Vermont State Board of Nursing. Email: SOS.OPRLicensing1@Vermont.gov. Office of Professional Regulation, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor Montpelier, VT 05620-3402. Phone 802-828-2396 

Our Academic Calendar is available for prospective students to review at their convenience.