Benedictine University Nurse Executive Leader & Nurse Educator Programs
- Nurse Educator MSN
- Nurse Educator Post-Master's Certificate
- Nurse Executive Leader MSN
- Nurse Executive Leader Post-Master's Certificate
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Benedictine University offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) with concentrations as a nurse executive leader or a nurse educator. These degrees offer fully online coursework with a clinical immersion and capstone experience requiring 140 clock hours of clinicals. The degrees can be completed in 24 to 26 months and do not require campus visits.
Students in both concentrations take 15 credits of foundation courses such as health promotion and interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based nursing practice, and healthcare policy and advocacy. Once completed, those in the nurse executive leader track take 21 concentration credits and those in the nurse educator track take 24 concentration credits.
In addition to the MSN degrees offered, a post-master’s certificate is also offered in each concentration as a nurse executive leader or a nurse educator. Each of the post-master’s certificate programs consists of three courses totaling nine credits and can be completed in just 1.5 semesters. The certificate programs are fully online and do not require campus visits or clinical hours. Students must meet prerequisite requirements for each course or be accepted into the post-master’s certificate program in order to complete the courses.
The curriculum for the online MSN programs aligns with the educational standards of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Nurse executive leaders take on leadership positions in healthcare serving patients, colleagues, and organizations. They may use skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, strategic planning, and communication to carry out their duties.
Professional duties may include nursing team leadership, management of patient care services, human resource management, budgeting, and care coordination. Graduates of the nurse executive leader MSN and post-master’s certificate programs will be prepared to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Nurse Executive Advanced Certification exam and/or National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator exam.
Nurse educators may work in the classroom setting in higher education or through healthcare organizations, as well as training nurses in the hospital or clinical setting.
The Benedictine University online MSN is accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The school is regionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Lisle, Illinois. For those interested in earning a dual degree, Benedictine University also offers a dual MSN/MBA degree in the nurse executive leader concentration.
What to Expect from the Benedictine University Online Nurse Executive Leader and Educator Programs
Admission Requirements: Prospective online MSN students must hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher. Proof of RN licensure is required in the state where clinical hours will be completed. Students must have proficiency in word processing, email interaction, and online resource use.
Post-master’s certificate applicants must have earned a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree or higher and have either completed the prerequisites required for each of the three courses or be accepted into the post-master’s certificate program.
Application materials include official transcripts, a statement of goals, and one letter of professional recommendation. Proof of English language proficiency may be required as applicable.
Study Plan: The Benedictine online MSN program can be completed in about two years of part-time study taking one course per eight weeks. The certificate programs can be completed in just 1.5 semesters or three eight-week sessions. Start dates land three times per year in January, May, and August. MSN students complete 140 clinical hours. No campus visits are required. The certificate programs are completely online with no clinicals or campus visits.
MSN Curriculum: The Benedictine University online MSN program comprises 36 to 39 credits over 12 to 13 courses. Foundation courses include health promotion and interprofessional collaboration; evidence-based nursing practice: research and process improvement; ethical and culturally competent healthcare professional; healthcare policy and advocacy; and quality improvement and safety and healthcare systems.
Nurse Executive Leader Concentration Courses: Building effective communication and relationships; professionalism and executive career development; advanced knowledge of healthcare systems; financial management and resource allocation; nursing leadership and systems thinking; advanced nursing practice: clinical immersion; and advanced nursing practice: capstone project implementation.
Nurse Educator Concentration Courses: Advanced health assessment; advanced pharmacology; advanced pathophysiology; instructional strategies; curriculum development; evaluation strategies and methods; advanced nursing practice: clinical immersion; and advanced nursing practice: capstone project implementation.
Post-Master’s Certificate Curriculum: The nurse executive leader and nurse educator programs comprise nine credits each. Nurse executive leader courses include building effective communication and relationships; leadership and systems thinking; and financial management and resource allocation. Nurse educator courses include instructional strategies; curriculum development; and evaluation strategies and methods.
Online Experience: Benedictine University uses the Engage learning management system (LMS). Engage makes instruction and delivery innovative and interactive, making the online experience more engaging and enjoyable. Communication opportunities include live chat, virtual coffee chats, webinars, online student groups, online interaction with faculty, and participation in online discussions. The faculty also maintain weekly office hours.
New students complete a “success strategies” course to introduce them to the online LMS. Student services include access to program managers, academic advising, IT support, time management and study skills support, library services, and professional career development services.
On-Site Requirements: The Benedictine University online MSN offers 100 percent online coursework with local clinicals. No campus visits are required. The post-master’s certificates are 100 percent online with no clinicals or campus visits.
Paying for the Benedictine University Online MSN Programs
Benedictine University MSN and post-master’s certificate program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below. Up to 12 credits may be transferred into the MSN program. Interested nurses should contact the Benedictine University Admissions Department for cost clarifications and updates.
MSN students may be eligible for federal student aid by applying through the FAFSA. Students also may wish to inquire with their employers as to the possibility of a tuition reimbursement program. Finally, MSN students may seek out private loans and community and organizational scholarships and grants.
Benedictine University Nurse Executive Leader MSN
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
- The nurse executive leader MSN program consists of both foundation courses and nurse executive leader concentration courses
- Graduates will be prepared to take the ANCC Nurse Executive Advanced Certification exam
- Two 70-hour clinical learning experiences are required
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 3 Start Dates Per Year - January, May, August |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 36 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 2 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus clinicals |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree in nursing plus active RN license |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | Professional work experience expected |
| Credit Hours | 36 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $670.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $24,120.00 |
Benedictine University Nurse Educator MSN
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
- Prepare for positions in the classroom setting in higher education or through healthcare organizations, as well as training nurses in the hospital or clinical settings
- Key topics covered include advanced pathophysiology, health assessment, and pharmacology, along with curriculum development and evaluation methods
- Graduates of the nurse educator MSN program will be prepared to take the NLN Certified Nurse Educator exam
| Degree Level | Master's Degree |
| Program Start Dates | 3 Start Dates Per Year - January, May, August |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 39 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 2 years. |
| 100% Online? | Yes, plus clinicals |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Bachelors degree in nursing plus active RN license |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | Professional work experience expected |
| Credit Hours | 39 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $670.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $26,130.00 |
Benedictine University Nurse Executive Leader Post-Master's Certificate
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
- The program consists of three 8-week courses that can be completed in just 24 weeks
- Students must meet prerequisite requirements or must be accepted into the certificate program
- Graduates will be prepared to take the ANCC Nurse Executive Advanced Certification exam
| Degree Level | Post-Master's Certificate |
| Program Start Dates | 3 Start Dates Per Year - January, May, August |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 9 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 1.5 semesters. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Master of science in nursing or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | Professional work experience expected |
| Credit Hours | 9 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $500.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $4,500.00 |
Benedictine University Nurse Educator Post-Master's Certificate
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 112 schools in our MHAOnline.com database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
- Courses include Instructional Strategies, Curriculum Development, and Evaluation Strategies and Methods
- These 8-week courses can be completed in just one and a half semesters
- Graduates will be prepared to take the NLN Certified Nurse Educator exam
| Degree Level | Post-Master's Certificate |
| Program Start Dates | 3 Start Dates Per Year - January, May, August |
| Credits Needed to Graduate | 9 |
| Time to Complete? | Graduate in as little as 1.5 semesters. |
| 100% Online? | Yes |
| Program Accreditation | CCNE |
| Level of Education Required? | Master of science in nursing or higher |
| GRE or GMAT Required? | No |
| Work Experience Required? | Professional work experience expected |
| Credit Hours | 9 |
| Average Cost Per Credit | $500.00 |
| Estimated Program Tuition * | $4,500.00 |
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please check here for any tuition updates.
