Quick Links:

Academic Programs

Master of Science - Education Pathway

Traditional Track - 14 months of full-time study or 18 - 20 months of part-time study
Post Masters Certificate - For nurses who already have a Masters in Nursing

The education tracks are designed to prepare academic nurse educators and professional staff development educators. The current critical shortage of nurse educators has resulted in an abundance of career opportunities nationwide. The MS program of study is 32 credit hours and the post-master certificate is 14 credit hours of study including content and practice in both academic nursing education and professional staff development.The traditional program includes 320 hours of required teaching practicum activities, and the post-master’s certificate includes 256 hours of required teaching practicum activities that are included in the nursing education specialty courses

*Notice: Oklahoma Board of Nursing requirement for faculty for nursing education programs: “All nurse faculty shall present evidence of current practice with a minimum of two (2) years full-time equivalent practice as a Registered Nurse in a clinical setting preceding the first date of first employment as a teacher”.

Educational Excellence

The OUCN Education Pathway is based on the latest standards for nursing education set by professional organizations, including:

National League for Nursing (NLN)
American Nurses’ Association
Southern Region Education Board Collegiate Council on Nursing Education

The education specialty courses will assist the student in preparation for Nurse Educator certification by the NLN. The NLN requires two years of full-time experience in an academic faculty role as part of the eligibility for writing the certification examination.

Educational Opportunity

Students in the Education Pathway have the opportunity to work with experienced OUCN faculty members on numerous OUCN sites. OUCN faculty are experienced in the latest technology-mediated educational methods. Education pathway students may work with experienced faculty teaching in the baccalaureate program on the development and delivery of innovative online teaching methods.

Application Deadlines*

PROGRAM	SPRING 2014	FALL 2013
Education Pathway	September 1, 2013	March 1, 2013

* Notice: Effective November 1, 2012, applications will no longer be accepted for Summer terms.

Notice: Students may not enroll in nursing courses unless they are accepted in and committed to completing a specific pathway.

See Related Links in the sidebar to the right for additional information.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will be prepared to:

Synthesize theories from nursing and supporting sciences to guide practice and role development
Deliver a broad array of therapeutic nursing interventions to culturally diverse or at risk individuals and populations in a specialized area of clinical practice
Demonstrate expertise in a specialized area of clinical practice and/or initial competence in a specific functional role (Advanced practice nurse, educator, administrator)
Collaborate with other health care providers to improve nursing care and other health services
Influence health care policy as it relates to current and emerging health care needs in society and promote safe, ethical health care delivery
Contribute to nursing knowledge through planning, evaluating or conducting research and promoting research utilization
Demonstrate competency in oral and written communication
Demonstrate competency in resource and systems management
Demonstrate competency in information analysis and management consistent with role preparation
Demonstrate critical thinking as evidenced in intellectual attitudes and personal risk-taking and by consideration of complex issues with multiple alternatives for solution.

Non-Nursing Bachelor's Degree (NNBD) Entry Option

The University of Oklahoma College of Nursing offers a direct entry option for RNs that have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Visit our NNBD page for additional information.

[ back to top ]