• 100% online starting in Fall 2025

  • Presently admitting for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026

 

Estimated Program LengthCan be completed in as little as 18 months
Credit Hours36
Course Length7-14 weeks
Transfer Credits AcceptedUp to 6
Cost per Credit$900*

*Tuition discount available. Ask for details!
 


Alvernia鈥檚 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program provides a graduate degree in nursing that prepares professional nurses for advanced roles in educational, administrative or primary health care positions. Each track prepares students to function with confidence in rapidly changing health care and education settings. 媚娘直播鈥檚 MSN program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, cultural competence and ethical values-based leadership. Accomplished and supportive faculty help nurses achieve their career goals with a personalized approach and support all along the way.

 


The Nursing Education track is designed for professional nurses who are seeking a career in nursing education. Students learn about instructing pre-licensure nursing students in classroom, clinical and nursing simulation lab settings, teaching new and experienced RNs new skills in staff development positions and planning innovative strategies to facilitate the learning process. They also receive rigorous studies in curriculum development and implementation, instructional skills and strategies, use of educational technology, and assessment and evaluation. 


The primary purpose of the Leadership and Healthcare Administration track is to develop qualities and skills to be effective leaders within local, regional or national healthcare settings. Students in this track are prepared to be an integral member and leader of decision-making teams to improve health outcomes. Organizational and leadership skills may also be used to promote nurse recruitment, retention and wellbeing. Key concepts of business management are addressed in courses taught by experienced nurse leaders. Students learn a variety of contemporary leadership skills including budgeting, management of human resources and strategic planning.
 

In This Section
Master of Science in Nursing

Getting Started

Application Instructions

Along with your completed application accompanied by $50 non-refundable application fee (waived for 媚娘直播 BSN graduates), you鈥檒l need to provide a few supporting materials. Because there is lead time required for some items, here is a step-by-step process that seems to work best for candidates:

  • Complete your graduate application.
  • Complete your financial aid paperwork.
  • Official transcript(s) indicating that the applicant has earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) from an ACEN (formerly NLNAC), CNEA, or CCNE accredited program or international equivalent at a college or university.
  • Two (2) recommendations (preferably from professional nurses with graduate degrees) regarding applicant鈥檚 practice and potential for graduate work in nursing. (Waived for BSN graduates of 媚娘直播)
  • Current resume.
  • Photocopy of valid Pennsylvania license as a Registered Nurse.
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in a BSN Program.
  • Completion of an undergraduate statistics and research course with a grade of 鈥淐鈥 or better. If not completed, the course must be taken in conjunction with graduate courses at 媚娘直播.
Financing Your Education

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. 媚娘直播鈥檚 Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

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媚娘直播's John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing
The new John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing houses a state-of-the-art learning facility that mimics what healthcare professionals experience daily.


Curriculum/Degree Tracks

Nursing Education

Specialty clinical practice knowledge is enhanced through core courses and targeted clinical experiences. Nursing Education track students learn through precepted experiences in education and health care facilities. Experienced and supportive mentors assist students to meet learning goals in precepted learning experiences.

Interdisciplinary Courses (3 credits):

  • COR 520: Ethics and Moral Leadership


Nursing Education Courses (9 credits):

  • NUR 560: Policy and Curriculum
  • NUR 630: Measuring Educational Outcomes
  • NUR 640: Evidenced-Based Teaching Practice


Nursing Practice Courses (6 credits):

  • NUR 530: Advanced Health Assessment
  • NUR 540: Advanced Pathophysiology/Pharmacology


Core Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership (18 credits):

  • NUR 550: Professional Nursing Theory and Research
  • NUR 570: Healthcare Informatics
  • NUR 611: Inter-professional Collaboration: Leadership Skills to Increase Cultural Competency
  • NUR 633: Evidence-Based Practice to Improve Population Health
  • NUR 643: Application of Advanced Nursing Strategies: Practicum
  • NUR 651: Nurse Educator Role Synthesis: Capstone*


*Take in final 12 credits

Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Administration

The MSN Program Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Administration track is designed to develop qualities and skills to be effective nursing leaders within local, regional, or national healthcare settings. Students in this track are prepared to be an integral member and leader of decision-making teams. An in-depth study in nursing leadership and administration is required. Application of theory and research principles are demonstrated in a capstone project.


Interdisciplinary Courses (3 credits):

  • COR 520: Ethics and Moral Leadership


Core Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership (15 credits)

  • NUR 550: Professional Nursing Theory and Research
  • NUR 570: Healthcare Informatics
  • NUR 611: Interprofessional Collaboration: Leadership Skills to Increase Cultural Competency
  • NUR 633: Evidence-Based Practice to Improve Population Health
  • NUR 643: Application of Advanced Nursing Strategies: Practicum


Nursing Leadership and Healthcare Administration Courses (18 credits)

  • NUR 515: Effective Leadership in Healthcare Organizations
  • NUR 525: Financial Management for Healthcare Leaders
  • NUR 535: Human Resources Management in Healthcare Organizations
  • NUR 625: Leadership in Advanced Administrative Practice Roles
  • NUR 635: Health Policy, Politics
  • NUR 652: Nursing Leadership Role Synthesis: Capstone (take in final 12 credits)
Nursing
Why 媚娘直播?
鈥 A nationally ranked comprehensive regional university, 媚娘直播 offers doctoral, master's, and post-baccalaureate programs to advance your career or prepare you for a new one.
鈥 Flexible scheduling meets the needs of the busy adult learner.
鈥 媚娘直播 is the ideal choice for graduate students because of a growing number of affiliation agreements with other local institutions and industry partners and dedicated advisors to help through every step of the educational journey.


Program Details

Experiential Learning Opportunities
  • Education and leadership track students includes precepted experiences in clinics, hospitals and community health agencies. Students learn through participation with experienced nurse leaders and interprofessional teams on leadership and quality improvement projects to make a positive difference in health care delivery. Faculty assist students to arrange practicum experiences in healthcare facilities near student locations, including Tower Health and Penn State Health affiliated sites.
  • The new adult-gerontology nurse practitioner track will involve clinical experiences in clinics, private medical practices and other primary care facilities through Tower Health, Penn State, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Wellspan Health and others. The faculty will work with students to assure quality clinical placements where students will gain hands-on experience in the APRN role. Students will learn evidence-based holistic care to promote health and to manage acute and chronic conditions.
Accreditation Statements
  • The Master of Science in Nursing Program at 媚娘直播 is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ().
  • Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 40 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average for all occupations. The median annual wage in 2021 was $123,680. Employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 28 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than average. The median annual wage in 2021 was $101,340.


Leadership and healthcare administration

  • Nurse manager and supervisor positions in hospitals, outpatient facilities and long-term care settings
  • Quality improvement leaders and project managers
  • Magnet庐 coordinator
  • Nurse recruitment and retention roles
  • Home care service supervisors and managers
  • Case management positions
  • Staffing agency leadership positions
  • Leadership roles in government agencies, nursing associations or nonprofit organizations


Education

  • Nursing faculty positions in LPN, ADN and BSN programs, including classroom, laboratory and clinical roles
  • Teaching positions in programs offering online education in pre- and post-licensure nursing programs
  • Staff development education roles in hospital, long-term care or outpatient settings
  • Clinical nursing instructor
  • Nurse residency coordinator
  • Product educators for medical devices and equipment
  • Representatives to educate, train and market services of simulation services and equipment
  • Educational product development


Adult-gerontological nurse practitioner

  • Office practices serving adults from 18 to elders
  • Freestanding urgent care facilities
  • Family care clinics
  • Women鈥檚 health services
  • Hospital-based healthcare practices
  • Specialty clinics (cardiology, dermatology, orthopedics, etc.)

 

Get To Know Your Faculty

For more information about 媚娘直播鈥檚 Nursing program, contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Linda Roy at linda.roy@alvernia.edu.