Master's of Science, Nurse Educator Specialization

Use these links to skip/quick jump to the information you need.

• About the Nurse Educator Program
• Future Student Information Sessions
• How to Apply
• Student Resources
• Contact Information
• Alumni

As a Nurse Educator, it becomes humbling and apparent how valuable the resource of knowledge and education is. During an acute pandemic or crisis, others look to you for support and guidance. This is an honorable profession.

— Miranda M. Schmidt MSN, RN, CCRN

The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San José State University offered a Master of Science Degree with a Nurse Educator concentration.

The program prepares nurses to assume the highest levels of professional nursing practice via courses which cover advanced theoretical knowledge, leadership development, assessment skills, and advanced teaching-learning practice. You will have an opportunity to critically evaluate and apply nursing theory and research as a scientific base for nursing practice. Our position in the heart of the Silicon Valley provides a unique opportunity to serve a diverse population. Many of our students go on to work for one of our local healthcare agencies.

Looking for the FNP program? Visit the Family Nurse Practitioner website for more information about the FNP program.

• Program / Curriculum Overview

  • The NE program admits in the Fall semester, with small cohort sizes that ensure personalized faculty support. The program works with a hybrid class format (online and in person, synchronous nad asynchronous), so full-time professional nurses can fit classes into their schedule. The synchronous, in person sessions are Wednesday evenings from 4-9PM (1600-2100). One or two additional days per semester will be required on campus for Intensive sessions/meetings.

    The entire program is four (4) semesters long (about two years), consisting of 36 units. This will include 225 total practicum course hours. During this time you will get the chance to work with nurse educators at local hospitals/agencies and with Master's and Doctorate prepared nursing faculty.

• Degree Requirements, Courses Descriptions, and Core Courses

  • Visit the SJSU catalog for degree/graduation requirements, details on the MS Nurse Educator program, and course descriptions.

    See NE Curriculum Roadmap.

• Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  • The goal of the MS NE program is to provide educational excellence in the science and art of professional nursing to empower our graduates to be responsible and knowledgeable clinicians, leaders, and scholars who strive to meet changing global healthcare needs. The Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) were developed based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's The Essentials of Master's Education in Nursing (2011) [pdf]. PLOs have been identified as preparing the graduate to:

    Apply critical thinking and ethical decision-making including the use of the nursing and research processes

    Provide theory and research-based culturally competent, safe therapeutic nursing interventions for clients in advanced nursing practice

    Employ advanced interpersonal skills in professional relationships with clients, families/caregivers, and multidisciplinary health care team members

    Support health promotion and disease prevention activities in developing and monitoring holistic plans of care for well and at-risk clients, considering access, quality and cost

    Demonstrate the collaborative and leadership skills required in advanced nursing practice within a multidisciplinary and multicultural (community) health care context

    Plan, implement, and evaluate advanced nursing practice that promotes and preserves health and healthy lifestyles of individual clients and aggregates

    Plan, implement, and evaluate advanced therapeutic nursing practice in a rapidly changing, multicultural health care environment

    Implement care management, including but not limited to case management, resource management, advocacy, and outcome evaluation

    Employ information technology in advanced nursing practice to evaluate and improve health care delivery and outcomes

    Actualize the advanced nursing practice role by incorporating professional standards, ethical guidelines, legal mandates, and professional activities

All prospective students are highly encouraged to attend a Nurse Educator information session and review the NE Information Slides.

Prospective students can reach out to Nursing@SJSU.edu for an individual advising appointment.

Current Students can find resources under Current Student Resources.

You can find the NE Program Coordinator's Information in the TVFSON Directory.

Please take a moment to fill out our Alumni Comment and Publication Survey.