MSN in Nursing Education

Admission Requirements—Domestic Applicants

The university graduate and program admission requirements below must be met before an application is considered complete.

• Graduate application for admission
• $45 nonrefundable application fee
• Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding the applicant’s bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
  
  
  An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university. A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
• Transcripts should show completion of a BSN from a NLN- or CCNE-accredited program. Transcripts should also indicate completion of the following prerequisite undergraduate courses: health assessment, pathophysiology, nursing research, and statistics.
• Written statement, one to two pages in length:
  • Describe your professional nursing goals
  • Articulate your personal definition of nursing and concept of career opportunities in this field
• Copy of active and unencumbered nursing license in the state where the clinical practicum experience will take place
• Current résumé, including the following:
  • Employment and educational experience
  • Professional or academic honors
  • Volunteer activities
• Two recommendations from professional references who have the ability to evaluate your performance (e.g. managers, supervisors, and academic faculty; not coworkers)
• See additional requirements for program-specific requirements

Send official transcripts to:

Admission Requirements—International Applicants

Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers both the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents respectively).

To apply for a graduate program at APU, the following requirements must be fulfilled in addition to meeting the domestic applicant and program-specific admission requirements specified above.

International applicants must also:

• Demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Refer to APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more. Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services.
• Provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF) and a bank statement from within the last six months proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources.
• Submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information.
• Get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. View our policy and a list of approved Foreign Transcript Evaluation Agencies.

Send official transcripts to:

What to Expect

After all admission materials have been received by the Student Services Center, the faculty or department chair reviews the applicant’s file. The applicant is notified in writing of the admission decision.

Delivering high quality graduate programs takes a comprehensive support system. Your investment in an advanced degree includes those services and personnel that partner with you in pursuit of higher education. Below is a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with the benefits and services included in your degree program.

School of Nursing Fees

Nursing courses may require additional fees. View a complete list of university fees.

Financial Aid

Several types of financial aid are available to graduate students. The resources range from federal loans and state grants to, for some graduate programs, fellowships and scholarships. For details about financial aid available for your program, please contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.

Military Benefits

Military members—and in some cases their spouses and dependents—qualify for financial assistance covering tuition, housing, and books. Azusa Pacific is a Yellow Ribbon University and Military Friendly School, so you can be confident that you’ll receive the benefits and flexibility you need to complete your education.

Program-Specific Aid

For more details on these scholarships and funding opportunities, as well as other possible resources, please contact the School of Nursing at (626) 815-5386.

Nurse Faculty Loan Program

The Nurse Faculty Loan Program is a government loan program set up to increase the number of qualified nursing faculty by providing loans to students in advanced nursing education programs. Students must be pursuing a MSN or doctoral nursing degree. The NFLP loans will be forgiven—up to 85 percent of the amount received—over a consecutive four-year period if the student commits to serve as full-time faculty at a school of nursing following graduation. Faculty at private universities, state schools, and community colleges are eligible. Students receiving these loans must also complete the nursing education courses prior to graduation.

School of Nursing Alumni Tuition Discounts

APU’s School of Nursing offers an alumni tuition discount for APU alumni starting in the following graduate programs:

• MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership
• MSN in Nursing Education
• PhD in Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Students must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. Students must be enrolled at least half-time. If qualifications are met, the discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

Academic Practice Partner Discount

For employees of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Methodist Hospital of Southern California, Rady Children's Hospital, Redlands Community Hospital, and Riverside University Health System, Azusa Pacific pays 10 percent of tuition for the RN to BSN program or 15 percent for the MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership, MSN in Nursing Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) programs (limited to three doctoral DNP or PhD students) for the duration of the agreement with the employer.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, be continuously enrolled in fall and spring terms at least half-time, and must submit an MOU Discount Form along with verification of employment. This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact student financial services for complete eligibility details.

Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) Discount

For members of the Association of California Nurse Leaders, Azusa Pacific pays 10 percent of tuition for the RN to BSN program, MSN in Healthcare Administration and Leadership, MSN in Nursing Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) programs for the duration of the agreement with the association.

Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, be continuously enrolled in fall and spring terms at least half-time, and must submit an MOU Discount Form along with verification of membership. This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid. Contact Student Financial Services for complete eligibility details.

To view specific requirements and coursework information, visit the current academic catalog:

Program Requirements

The MSN in Nursing Education program is offered in several formats designed to support working professionals. You can complete the program entirely online, or choose to take some courses in person through one of our hybrid options. View details below and choose the option that aligns with your needs and preferences, or contact the admissions representative for more information to help identify the best fit for you.

Online Option

Azusa Pacific’s online MSN in Nursing Education program delivers curriculum for adult learners wishing to complete their MSN degree without the on-campus class requirement. The program allows students to take advantage of the convenience of online learning without sacrificing either the quality of instruction or meaningful professor-student interaction.

Successful students in this online format clearly recognize that, while flexibility exists in asynchronous learning, a strong commitment to consistent participation, communication, and completion of all work is critical. Participation in MSN Student Orientation is mandatory for all online students prior to the start of their online program.

Throughout this online program, students engage with the School of Nursing and APU staff in one-on-one communication for academic and financial advising. A virtual nurses’ lounge is also available to facilitate community within the cohort and between cohorts, faculty, and staff.

Online and On-Campus Option

With this option, choose to complete the majority of the MSN in Nursing Education online while taking some core courses at one of APU’s Southern California campuses, including our main campus in Azusa or our Inland Empire, Monrovia, or San Diego regional locations. Contact the admissions representative to learn more about which courses are offered at each location.

Continued changes in health care and a significant need for qualified nurses has resulted in rising demand for nursing educators ready to prepare nurse practitioners and leaders with the skills to succeed, and most importantly, help improve quality of life for patients.

Requirements to Become a Nurse Educator

Successful nurse educators typically embody the following qualifications:

A Passion to Teach

It’s an essential role—academic nurse educators combine experience with a passion for the field and a desire to teach the next generation of nurses and health care providers. Because teaching faculty weave personal experience from their own careers and areas of speciality into the classroom, students benefit from deeper insight into the field.

Educational Preparation

The master's in nursing education degree prepares educators for these career roles by expanding on their nursing experience and providing them with tools to teach and mentor others. Beyond instruction, the program focuses on designing and implementing courses and programs, integrating technology, creating learning assessment tools, and working to ensure students get the most current nursing skills and knowledge to practice and lead in their areas of speciality.

Nurse Educator Roles

Combining experience and continued learning opens the doors to a variety of roles and opportunities for those prepared to serve in nursing education.

Integrating Nursing Experience

Nurse educators are typically registered nurses with advanced education and training in both health care and teaching who go on to serve in instructional or administrative roles in nursing schools and programs at all levels. Depending on experience and specialized training, nursing faculty may pursue roles that include:

• Teaching incoming nursing students.
• Providing training in clinicals.
• Developing continuing education curriculum.
• Providing instruction at the master’s and doctoral levels.
• Serving as deans or administrative leaders in schools and colleges.

Active in the Field

Throughout their careers, many nurse educators continue to practice, conduct research, or serve as administrators in health care while teaching to stay at the forefront of current trends and further their professional development. Ever-changing advances in the medical and nursing fields require faculty to continually adapt curriculum and anticipate future changes to best prepare students for work in hospitals, clinics, and other health care organizations and facilities.

If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.

Contact Your Admissions Representative

Additional Program Contact

Belen McDaniel, Program Manager, (626) 815-6179, [email protected]

• Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
• The program is aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing and the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Core Competencies for Nurse Educators.
• The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Azusa Pacific University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 
• The traditional baccalaureate nursing program, upper-division transfer (2+2/LVN to BSN) programs, entry-level master’s program, and the nurse practitioner program are approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.