The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) online program prepares registered nurses to become effective and ethical leaders in an evolving health care industry, all in as little as two years.
Benedictine's M.S.N. online curriculum aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing outcomes expected of the master’s prepared nurse, which emphasizes organizational and system-based leadership, healthcare technologies, advocacy, interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, quality improvement and cultural awareness.
CCNE Accredited
The master's degree program in nursing at Benedictine University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Choose From Two M.S.N. Concentrations: Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive Leader
The M.S.N. online program offers two concentrations that reflect the needs and trends of the nursing profession and allow you to tailor your studies toward your own career goals:
- Nurse Educator: Designed for nurses interested in serving as educators in clinical settings. Coursework in this concentration focuses on advanced level sciences and specialty knowledge in instructional strategies, curriculum development, and evaluation methods.
- Nurse Executive Leader: Designed for nurses interested in serving in leadership roles. Coursework in this concentration focuses on communication, nursing leadership, systems thinking, and financial management.
Whichever concentration you choose, your final two courses focus solely on practicum and allow you to put all you've learned into action and demonstrate your master's-level nursing competence. Practicum is conducted on-ground in a clinical setting with an M.S.N. prepared nurse preceptor. Nurse Educator students may not complete practicum in an academic setting.
You'll identify a nursing problem or need to be addressed through a capstone project, which is developed and implemented during your practicum.
View the M.S.N. degree webinar to learn more about program details and your concentration options.
Hospitals Demand Nurses With Advanced Credentials
Many hospitals and healthcare facilities now require a certain percentage of M.S.N.-qualified nurses on staff. Nursing professionals with advanced degrees have an advantage in the job market for nursing careers like:
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Clinical Educator
- Clinical Nurse Manager
- Clinical Services Director
- Nursing Director
- Nurse Educator
On average, nurses with M.S.N. degrees earn over $40,000 more than nurses with bachelor's degrees.1 Whether you choose to pursue the Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive Leader concentration, earning your M.S.N. online from Benedictine will position you for continued career success.
Dual M.S.N./M.B.A. Option Available
The Dual M.S.N./M.B.A. online program is designed for nurse professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of advanced nursing practice and the business skills needed to identify opportunities and make dependable decisions in healthcare settings based on advanced understanding of finance, operations, marketing and management.
Post-Master's Nursing Certificate Options
Benedictine University offers two online post master’s certificate options. The online Post-Master's Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive Certificates each consist of three 3-semester credit hour course that can be completed in one and a half semesters. Neither of these certificate programs requires an on-ground practicum component.
Post-master's certificates allow professional nurses to gain specialty knowledge to expand their expertise and obtain the education necessary to earn a certification. The post master’s nurse executive leader certificate meets the continuing education requirements described in the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s eligibility criteria for the Nurse Executive Advanced certification examination. The post master’s nurse educator certificate meets the education requirements described in the National League for Nursing’s eligibility criteria for the Nurse Educator certification examination.
The online Post-Master's Nurse Educator Certificate addresses instructional design, curriculum development, and assessment of learning.
- Upcoming Start Dates: May 2, 2022, August 29, 2022, January 9, 2023
The online Post-Master's Nurse Executive Certificate addresses communication and conflict management, nursing leadership and systems thinking, and financial management and resource allocation.
- Upcoming Start Dates: June 27, 2022, October 24, 2022, March 6, 2023