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Program at a Glance

Type
Online Master’s
College
Nursing

Costs
$327.32
Per Credit Hour

16
Week
Terms
Term Calendar
31-36
Credit
Hours
Credit Hour Clock

Costs
$1,151.72
Per Credit Hour

16
Weeks
Terms
Term Calendar
31-36
Credit
Hours
Credit Hour Clock
US News Badge 2023 Best Online Grad nursing
Most Innovative University 2022


Attain the Clinical Skills and Knowledge Needed to Lead Health Systems

Due to an increasing emphasis on preventive care, an aging population and a focus on addressing chronic conditions, nursing is one of the fastest growing fields today. With the many challenges that healthcare practitioners face, nursing leaders must step forward to offer innovative solutions.

When you earn your MSN degree online, you’ll be prepared to develop leadership, management and teaching strategies to improve the quality of healthcare within your institution. You’ll become a greater advocate for patient safety as you increase your sensitivity to the many factors that influence nursing across the globe and within your community. Through research, evidence-based practices and critical thinking skills, you will influence health and public policy to impact even more lives.

Are you an RN with a Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree?
Licensed RNs who have completed an AS in Nursing or diploma nursing program and have earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree may apply to a MSN program with prerequisite courses.

Note — UCF is currently accepting applications for this program from individuals who reside in Florida, as well as other member states of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) nurse-licensure compact. Visit the NCSBN website to view the full list of states included. Although Colorado is a NLC state, the UCF College of Nursing cannot enroll students who will complete clinical practice hours there due to Colorado statute requirements for worker’s compensation insurance coverage.

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Program Tracks

Learn to develop and lead nursing and healthcare simulation programs in academic and practice settings. This track allows students to explore various experiences for learning in the simulated environment, develop skills for leading simulation programs and have the opportunity to develop a self-designed project. Here, interdisciplinary teams of healthcare educators, practitioners, computer scientists and engineers come together to develop and use cutting-edge applications for simulation, training and practice to advance healthcare.

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Learn to teach in undergraduate nursing and health professions programs at colleges and universities, healthcare agencies, or in the community. In addition to core and clinical courses, you’ll complete an internship in your home community under a nurse educator with a master’s degree and a faculty mentor. Graduates of this program are eligible to take the optional national exam to become a Certified Nurse Educator®.

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Prepare for advanced leadership roles by developing an independent expertise in the critical analysis and evidence-based evaluation of complex problems associated with organizations and systems. Curriculum emphasizes evidence-based management and patient-care practices to achieve quality outcomes, innovation in the integration of healthcare services, and expertise in leading collaborative interprofessional teams for the novice and aspiring nurse leader.

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Nurses working on a simulated patient

Highlights

Badge Icon
The College of Nursing offers fully accredited master’s degree programs.
Nationally Recognized Icon
Nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report among the Best Online Graduate Nursing and one of Fortune’s Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs.
Options Icon
The master’s in nursing program at UCF provides options for RNs with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
No GRE
No GRE Required.

Application Deadlines

Fall

April 1


Spring

September 1

Ready to
get started?

Application
Deadlines

Fall

April 1


Spring

September 1

Ready to
get started?

Course Requirements

In order to earn your MSN in Nursing, you’ll need to complete up to 36 credit hours of graduate course work. While completing your Nursing MSN at UCF, you’ll take required courses which will allow you to gain additional expertise in your chosen area of interest.

Number of Core Classes

Nurse Educator Track –

You’ll need to complete 18 credit hours of required core courses along with 15 credit hours of nurse education electives for a total of 35 credit hours.

Healthcare Simulation Track –

You’ll need to complete 28 credit hours of required core courses along with 3 credit hours of healthcare simulation electives for a total of 31 credit hours.

Leadership and Management Track –

You’ll need to complete 33 credit hours of required core courses along with 3 credit hours of nursing electives for a total of 36 credit hours.

Courses You’ll Take Include

Explore and analyze the of concepts, theories, research evidence, clinical assessment and interventions for health promotion and wellness.

Commence in a critical examination of the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms affecting individuals.

Theory for Advanced Practice Nursing

Master the conceptual and theoretical bases of nursing practice and research with emphasis on scholarly writing and critique.


Skills You’ll Gain

  • Analyze social, economic, ethical, cultural, legal and political issues influencing nursing practice and healthcare in a global context.
  • Develop and implement leadership, management and teaching strategies for the improvement of health and healthcare quality and safety.
  • Develop practice models of evidence-based nursing practice incorporating nursing research.
Explore the full course list within the program brochure.


Career Opportunities

This program will help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your field. The skills gained from this program, combined with your professional experience, will enable you to grow within your field. The online MS in Nursing program is designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to excel in these expansive fields.

18,602

Annual Job Openings

20.0%

Job Growth in the Nursing field between 2020 and 2030

$79.6K/yr

Median Salary for the Nursing field nationwide

Source: Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com

Job Titles

  • Director Of Nursing
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Health Care Administrator
  • Nurse Educator
  • Nursing Manager

Student looking towards screen.

Why UCF Online?

UCF is one of the top supplier of graduates to the nursing science occupation. Our graduates work at top medical and education centers, including the University of Central Florida, Jack & Jill Children’s Center Inc, Orlando Health, Inc., and Association of Nursing Professional Development, Inc. With over 25 years of experience in online teaching and learning, UCF Online offers students an innovative approach to education. Our degrees are accessible, convenient, and designed with working professionals in mind so you can receive a quality education on your terms.


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Online Support for Success

You’ve made the decision to continue your education and we’re here to help. From the moment you express interest in a UCF Online program, you’re assigned an enrollment coach to help you navigate everything from completing an application to understanding tuition and the financial aid resources available to you. Once you’re admitted, you’ll be transitioned to a personal success coach who will support you with maintaining school-life balance from the first day of classes through graduation. You’ve committed to furthering your education and we’re committed to guiding you along the way.

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Related Online Programs

Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics
Executive Master of Health Administration, EMHA

Accreditation Notice

The master’s degree program in nursing at UCF is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.