MSN in Nursing Leadership
Nursing Education Specialty Track
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Mentor and Inspire the Next Generation of Nurses
The Nursing Education specialty track equips you to train, mentor, and lead future nurses while advancing your own career. Designed for working nurses, this track allows you to develop the skills to teach, design curriculum, and support learners — all while maintaining your current role. Develop the expertise to educate and inspire the next generation of nurses — equipping them with the knowledge and skills to promote the utmost in patient safety, health, and well-being.
In this track, you will:
- Gain the knowledge to develop evidence-based curriculum and effective teaching strategies across diverse learning environments.
- Prepare for roles as a nurse educator, clinical instructor, faculty, or program director, helping address the nationwide nursing faculty shortage.
- Learn how to evaluate student outcomes and foster inclusive, supportive learning experiences for tomorrow’s nursing workforce.
This track is for students who:
- Have a passion for teaching, mentoring, and developing future nurses
- Want to transition from bedside into academic or clinical educator roles
- Are interested in developing nursing curriculum and evidence-based teaching strategies
- Aim to make a broader impact on the profession through leadership and education
28
Average number of months it takes to graduate from the program
15–20
Average number of hours of coursework to expect each week
Certifications and career paths:
What you’ll be prepared to pursue
The MSN-NL curriculum is designed to prepare students for certification exams related to their chosen track. While certifications are not required to complete the MSN-NL program, they are highly recommended — or even essential — for advancing in specialized or leadership roles, particularly in nursing education and professional development.
Common certifications you will be eligible to pursue include:
- Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) — National League for Nursing
- Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl®) — National League for Nursing
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Certification — American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
- Certified Nurse Manager and Leader Certification (CNML) — American Organization for Nursing Leadership™ (AONL)
- Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®) — American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP®) Certification — AONL
Graduates of the Nursing Education specialty track are prepared to teach in academic, hospital, and clinical settings, mentoring future nurses at all levels, and contributing to solving the nursing faculty shortage — a critical need in healthcare. With this track, you’ll be prepared for roles such as:
- Nurse educator
- Nursing faculty/professor
- Clinical instructor
- Curriculum designer
- Clinical nurse educator
- Education program director
Offered through USD’s nationally ranked Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, a CCNE-accredited institution, this program ensures your skills are both trusted and in demand.
Curriculum Highlights for Nursing Education Track Students
The Nursing Education track builds on the MSN-NL core curriculum with courses and experiences that help you:
- Examine nursing education theory by learning the foundations of higher and nursing education, including the nurse educator’s role as a change agent and leader.
- Design evidence-based curriculum and explore strategies to develop, revise, and evaluate curriculum that supports diverse learners.
- Develop assessment and evaluation strategies, building skills in evidence-based student assessment and program evaluation across cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains
- Apply your skills in a practicum by collaborating with community partners to develop learning outcomes, curriculum, and assessments in real-world education settings.
Online Program Structure
All courses are instructor-led and delivered asynchronously, making it possible to balance your education with full-time work. The Nursing Education track consists of 9 additional units over two terms beyond the core MSN-NL curriculum, giving you the flexibility to expand your career while maintaining your current commitments.
- 16 courses for a total of 45 units over 7 terms
- 8 core courses
- 3 specialty track courses
- 5 clinical practicums (500 hours)
- Online students take one 7-week class at a time. Courses are taken year-round in the spring, summer, and fall terms. Clinical practicums start in the second term and take place over a full 14-week term.
Online Program Orientation
Before starting your first term, you’ll be required to complete the program orientation course. This self-paced course typically takes about 8–10 hours to finish, depending on your familiarity with online learning platforms. While you can complete it at your own pace, it is mandatory, so please plan your schedule accordingly.
Core Courses – Taken By All Students
The curriculum includes the following courses:
Note: A few course unit values may vary slightly for students pursuing a specialty track in Nursing Education or Informatics. The total number of units for students choosing a specialty track will be 45 units.
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Explore the foundations of advanced nursing practice, including the integration of nursing knowledge, person-centered care, and population h… |
3 |
|
Explore leadership skills, interprofessional collaboration, and the role of nurse leaders in population health.… |
3 |
|
Study disease processes, patient assessments, and treatment plans using an evidence-based approach.… |
4 |
|
Learn how nursing knowledge is developed and has influenced the practice of nursing and clinical decision-making.… |
3 |
|
Gain hands-on experience in advanced patient assessment, care management, and ethical leadership.… |
2 |
|
Explore healthcare technologies, data security, and communication strategies to improve patient care.… |
3 |
|
Study disease prevention, public health policies, and strategies for improving community health.… |
3 |
|
Analyze health data and develop public health interventions with interdisciplinary teams.… |
2 |
|
Learn to identify and improve quality and safety in healthcare systems.… |
3 |
|
Apply quality improvement methods to enhance patient safety and care.… |
2 |
|
Understand healthcare systems, policy, and strategic planning to optimize system effectiveness.… |
3 |
|
Apply healthcare systems, policy, and strategic planning to optimize system effectiveness.… |
3 |
Nursing Education Specialty Track Courses
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Explore teaching theories, curriculum design, and the nurse educator’s role as a leader and change agent.… |
3 |
|
Learn to design and revise nursing curricula that support diverse learners and promote professional growth.… |
3 |
|
Develop evidence-based methods to assess and evaluate nursing students’ knowledge and skills.… |
3 |
|
Apply curriculum design, teaching strategies, and assessment methods in real-world nursing education settings.… |
2 |
Technology Requirement
All students in the MSN-NL program are required to have unrestricted access to a Windows- or Mac-based computer by the start of their first term.
Clinical Practicums
USD partners with you to arrange clinical practicum experiences that align with your career goals — whether teaching in an academic program, working as a clinical instructor, or contributing to nursing curriculum development.
Clinical practicums begin in the second term and span 14 weeks each. Students in a specialty track complete five clinical practicums throughout the program, totaling 500 clinical hours.
Degree Plan
Degree candidates are admitted throughout the year and begin the program in the spring, summer, or fall. Students typically take two courses per 14-week term, focusing on one 7-week course at a time. Practicums span the full 14 weeks of the term. This program is designed to be completed, on average, in seven terms (28 months).
Download a PDF of your degree plan that corresponds with your start term.
Important dates for your starting term can be found in the degree plan. Important dates for subsequent terms can be found in your student success center after acceptance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What courses will I take that are unique to the education track?
In addition to the core MSN in Nursing Leadership curriculum, you’ll take specialized courses such as Theory of Nursing Education, Curriculum Development, and Assessment and Evaluation Strategies for Nursing Education.
What careers can I pursue with an education track?
An MSN with an education track can prepare you for a variety of roles such as nurse educator, clinical instructor, nursing faculty, and nursing curriculum developer. You’ll be well equipped to mentor and support the next generation of nurses — whether in academic settings, clinical environments, or staff development programs.
Will I be required to complete a clinical practicum or hands-on experience in education?
Yes, a clinical practicum is required — but it’s flexible and designed with your goals in mind. We’ll partner with you to create an experience that offers hands-on training in nursing education while strengthening your leadership abilities. Whether you’re aiming to advance in your current role or pivot into a new area, your practicum will be customized to reflect your interests and support your professional growth.
Is this a full-time or part-time program?
Depending on the total units in each term, you will be considered “part-time” (4.5-8.99 units) or “full-time” (9+ units) at the University of San Diego; these statuses may impact your financial aid or military/veteran benefits. Contact the Torero Hub team or Military and Veterans Program at [email protected] for details.
- Students in the Informatics for Duty under Instruction track are expected to have all 5 terms at full-time status (9-10 units).
- Students in the Nursing Leadership curriculum are expected to have 4 terms at part-time status (6-8 units) and 1 term at full-time status (9 units).
- Students in the Nursing Educator or Informatics track are expected to have 5 terms at part-time status (6-8 units) and 1 term at full-time status (9 units).
Is there any required time that I need to log in to my online course?
No, online degree programs are 100% online and asynchronous, so you will never be required to log in on a specific date or time.
There may be supplemental synchronous opportunities, such as Office Hours with your instructor, virtual workshops, or on-campus events that you may participate in.