Nursing (MSN) Education Track

To receive acceptance into the online MSN - Nursing Education program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed. A minimum of 1 year of nursing experience is required, a strong candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
• Hold a BSN and a be a graduate of an accredited college or university’s nursing program (the College of Nursing will verify accreditation to ensure it meets requirements). Transfer credits are accepted only from regionally accredited institutions.
• An undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better is required for admission.
• Applicants who do not have a BSN (BS in Nursing) cannot be accepted into the online MSN programs but should consider the MSN direct entry as a second degree – MIDAS Program.
• A strong applicant will have a 3.0 GPA.

• Free Online Application
  • Get Started on Xavier University’s free online application. You can begin the process in just a few clicks.
• Official Transcript
  • One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
    • Xavier University
      ATTN: Admission Processing Center
      3800 Victory Parkway
      Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
    • For electronic transcripts, send to:
      xuadmit@xavier.edu
• Current Resume and Personal Essay
  • Current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining all professional nursing experience, including facility/organization name & location, position and employment dates.
  • A 3-page goal statement that addresses the following points:
    • Why are you applying to Xavier University?
    • What MSN track are you applying for and why? How do you plan to use the degree and specialty?
    • What experiences have prepared you for graduate study? (or have influenced your desire to pursue graduate studies)
    • Graduate school is challenging and a large time commitment, especially with working, family, other responsibilities. What are your plans and strategies for being successful in your graduate program?
    • We also consider the writing quality of this essay. If writing is a challenge for you, also address strategies to help you in this area.
• 3 Professional References
  • 3 professional recommendations, (Please provide contact information for recommenders in the online application. An electronic form will be sent via email). A strong candidate will provide:
    • At least reference from a direct manager or supervisor who evaluates their clinical work.
    • Two references will be from someone with a masters or doctoral degree 

Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications in a timely manner to allow for review and processing.

Applications are processed immediately upon receiving all required materials. 

NURS 500: Health Care Ethics for Nursing Leaders..........3 credits

This course examines ethical frameworks, such as theories of justice, rights-based ethics and virtue ethics and their significance to the delivery of health care. Analysis of ethical dilemmas focuses on differentiating what is called traditional and modern ethical frameworks for decision-making. Application will be made within the parameters of nursing’s metaparadigm (person, nursing, caring, healing, health, environment) using personal and professional processes of valuing, unconditional acceptance and deciding in the preservation of wholeness and dignity.

NURS 501: Theoretical Bases for Nursing Practice..........3 credits

Introduction to the role of theory in knowledge development and its relationship to nursing research, practice, and administration. Critical analysis of selected theoretical models within the discipline of nursing and of theories and concepts from other disciplines as used in nursing. Concepts related to the application of the theoretical concepts in providing holistic care are explored. Examination of the application models, theories and concepts in nursing practice, administration and research.

NURS 502: Nursing Research..........3 credits

Exploration of modes of inquiry for systematic study of the application, use and evaluation of nursing innovations in clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the identification and solution of clinical problems through scientific inquiry. Research is examined for evidence-based practices which include a critical review of research studies, nurse’s expertise and patient/family preferences. Discussion entails the importance of dissemination of research findings.

NURS 505: Health Care Informatics..........3 credits

This course is designed to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge essential for the master’s prepared holistic nurse working in complex interprofessional technological healthcare systems. This course addresses basic computer and information management competencies. The student will also learn to manage and use healthcare data in decision making. Legal, ethical and practical ramifications of information technology in healthcare are examined. The major focus in this course is the management of information that supports improve health outcomes.

NURS 690: Health Care Policy for Nursing Leaders..........2 credits

This course provides an overview of health care policy, including formulating and analyzing policy at the institutional, local, state, federal and global levels. Issues regarding the nursing work environment as well as social determinants and healthcare delivery/ regulation will be discussed. The influence of socio-cultural, economic, political, ethical, legal and historical context on nursing and health care policy will be explored. The role of the master’s prepared holistic nurse in health policy decisions in the public and private sectors will be explicated.

NURS 754: Nursing Leadership & Management Concepts..........3 credits

This course focuses on leadership and management concepts that are essential for holistic nurse leaders at various levels throughout the healthcare organization. The focus is to prepare holistic nurse leaders for collaborative practice in complex healthcare organizations through examination and application of effective leader behaviors.

NURS 864: Epidemiologic Methods in Health care..........3 credits

Principles and biostatistical methods used in the study of the distribution and determinants of injury and disease through the interaction of environment and genetics in human populations (HP2020) are presented for use in the holistic development, implementation, and evaluation of primary, secondary and tertiary preventive and acute health care services in a variety of settings. Resources for epidemiological investigations within organizations and communities are introduced. Opportunities are provided to use the epidemiological and biostatistical methods of reasoning for determining causal inferences about the distribution and determinants of injury and disease (HP2020). Evidence-based innovative and evaluative health care delivery plans for clinical prevention and population health are developed using epidemiological and biostatistical data. Prerequisites: NURS 502

NURS 580: Patho Pharm & Assess Nurse Education..........3 credits

This course prepares nurse educators by integrating advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and holistic health assessment across the lifespan. Building on basic knowledge, the curriculum focuses on the master's-prepared nurse's role in pharmacotherapeutics, covering advanced drug mechanisms, interactions, and adverse reactions. Students learn to use advanced pathophysiology for clinical problem-solving, predicting illness progression, and guiding holistic patient and family teaching for various health issues. Furthermore, the course teaches students to conduct, analyze, and document comprehensive assessments, identifying pertinent health issues (including cultural and environmental factors), and defining evidence-based preventative and maintenance strategies.

NURS 660: Development of the Adult Learner in Health Care..........3 credits

This course provides a framework for facilitating learning and understanding the adult learner within academia and the healthcare environment. It explores theoretical foundations, principles for teaching/learning, factors that impact readiness to learn, tips for online teaching and how to create learning objectives.

NURS 664: Teaching Strategies..........2 credits

This course provides the student with information concerning the selection and utilization of pertinent teaching strategies that can be used with adult learners pursuing knowledge within the healthcare environment. The student will obtain knowledge concerning how these teaching strategies can be used in this endeavor as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Selection of appropriate teaching strategies will be explored in relation to learning styles and information to be presented. Evaluation means to ascertain the effectiveness of each strategy will also be presented.

NURS 670: Curriculum Assessment, Planning, Development, and Evaluation..........3 credits

3 credits
This course provides the student with the necessary information needed to pursue the nurse educator role. After completion of this course, the student will be able to function as either an academic nursing faculty member or a corporate/staff nurse educator. Roles and responsibilities of nurse educators will be addressed. These responsibilities include teaching; service; scholarship; curriculum planning; curriculum/educational offering development; maintaining records; mentoring; student advising; student accommodation; application for continuing education; implementing and educational offering/didactic content; test development; and evaluation of educational offerings, students/staff, courses and programs. Prerequisites: NURS664 and NURS660

NURS 703: Graduate Nursing Practicum I.........2 credits

This course is designed for application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in the area of concentration (administration, forensics, informatics, education, school nursing, etc.). Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.

NURS 705: Graduate Nursing Practicum II..........2 credits

This course is designed for application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in the area of concentration (administration, forensics, informatics, education, school nursing, etc.). Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.

NURS 797: Scholarly Project..........2 credits

This course incorporates the design and development of a scholarly project that demonstrates synthesis of pedagogical strategies and concepts attained throughout courses within the MSN curriculum. The project shall be aimed at addressing an identified issue in the field of nursing, the scope of which may be varied. Elements integrated into the course/project include but are not limited to: nursing theory, change theory, critical thinking, microsystem assessment, communication, EBP, research, ethical and cultural considerations, informatics strategies, health practices and care management, improvement of patient outcomes, holistic care, awareness of healthcare related issues, intrinsic and extrinsic forces, organizational frameworks and considerations, and resource utilization. Project topics must be approved by the track chair/coordinator.