Master of Science—Nurse Educator

The nurse educator master’s program option is designed to prepare nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively educate the population with whom they work (e.g. students, patients, healthcare professionals). Graduates are prepared to work in either the academic setting educating nursing students or in the clinical setting providing professional development for staff. The program of study has a clinical focus on management and coordination of care in chronic illness across the lifespan. 

The innovative nurse educator curriculum focuses on curriculum design, program evaluation, teaching methods and learner-centered education in academic and clinical settings. Additionally, advanced nursing content and integrative health concepts are emphasized with opportunities for theory integration and role development in three practicums: Population-Focused Care Coordination Practicum, Clinical Teaching and Simulation Practicum, and Academic Transitions Practicum. The practica courses are completed in the last three semesters of the program.

The nurse educator master’s program option incorporates professional standards and guidelines from the Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing (AACN, 2011), and the Core Competencies of Nurse Educators (NLN, 2005), in preparation of the curriculum and evaluation of outcomes.

All nurse educator students are required to complete a scholarly project with a focus on a selected chronic illness, and care management and care coordination concepts. The project demonstrates nursing education practices, emphasizing learning theory and learner assessment methods in the development and implementation of the project. In addition, the project includes critical reflection on teaching and learning practices.

N.E. Program Goals

The goals of the nurse educator master’s program option reflect the mission of the School of Nursing with the focus on preparing nurse educators who will transform nursing education through application of learning theories, advanced nursing knowledge for delivery of quality evidence-based care, incorporation of technology for learning and care delivery, and evaluation of learning outcomes. The goals, competencies, and outcomes are in alignment with professional nursing standards and guidelines.

The goals of the nurse educator master’s program are to graduate nurse educators who:

1. Practice advanced nursing with a focus on care coordination and management of populations experiencing chronic illness.

2. Demonstrate leadership which transforms nursing education through application of learning theories, delivery of ethically informed evidence-based care, incorporation of technology for both learning and nursing practice, and evaluation of learning outcomes.

3. Engage in reflective practice, continuous quality improvement, and life-long learning.

Nurse Educator Admission Requirements

1. School of Nursing Graduate Applicant Personal Essay
2. Current Resume
3. Three recommendation forms and letters
4. Official Transcripts (from all previously attended academic institutions)
5. A bachelor of science degree in nursing or its equivalent from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Portland
6. A bachelor of science degree in nursing from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
7. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) in bachelor of science in nursing degree program.
8. Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.) verbal score of 150 or above (500 or above if exam was completed prior to August 1, 2011) and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or above. Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above in a bachelor of science degree in nursing or master's degree from an accredited college or university recognized by the University of Portland are not required to submit G.R.E. scores. 
9. Current unencumbered R.N. license to practice nursing in state of residence (U.S.A).  R.N. license in Oregon is encouraged. Additional costs may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon.
10. College-level statistics course with a grade of B or better within three years of acceptance into the program.
11. Preference given to Oregon and Washington residents with at least two years of experience as a RN

12. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.