Master's in Nursing Education

Institutional Accreditation

Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation

The master's degree program in nursing at FGCU is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org)

Getting Started

Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.

Admission Requirements for Applicants with a BSN (Traditional Pathway)

• Submit a supplemental application for admission in NursingCAS, and provide the following documents: http://www.nursingcas.org/. These instructions are included in the NursingCAS application.
• Provide official transcript(s) for all colleges and universities attended, including a bachelor’s degree transcript from a nursing program accredited by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html) or equivalent foreign institution.
• Show evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Provide evidence that the following courses have been completed at the undergraduate level with a grade of C or better, prior to admission: Statistics, Health Assessment, and Pathophysiology.
• Provide evidence of current and unrestricted registered nurse’s license, or eligibility for RN licensure in Florida.
• Provide evidence of a minimum of one year current practice experience as a registered nurse.
• Submit a current resume.
• Submit a statement of career goals.
• For applicants who have attended, but not completed another MSN program, provide a letter of standing from the dean of the school of nursing (or designee) that addresses the following: Performance in the prior program, potential for success in the prior graduate program, interpersonal communication skills, and other information as determined by the dean.
• International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.
  
  Applicants must also provide a waiver granting the Graduate Admission and Progression Committee permission to contact the program(s) attended to verify information.

Admission Requirements for Associate Degree Registered Nurses (RN-MSN Pathway)

The RN-MSN pathway is for highly qualified RNs with an associate degree in nursing. Students are admitted to FGCU as undergraduate nursing students. Following the satisfactory completion of twenty-two (22) credit hours of specified course work at the undergraduate level, students are transitioned into the MSN program. Thirty-eight (38) hours of required coursework is then completed at the graduate level. Note that the bachelor’s degree is not conferred in this program.

• Submit a FGCU undergraduate application for admission and satisfy all applicable university admissionrequirements:https://www.fgcu.edu/admissionsandaid/undergraduateadmissions/
  • Provide official transcript(s) for all colleges and universities attended including an official academic transcript showing the award of an associate degree in nursing from a national accredited nursing program or the equivalent degree in nursing from a foreign institution.
  • Provide an official academic transcript showing the award of an Associate of Arts (AA)degree from a Florida public college or university. Students who do not have an AA degree will be required to meet all FGCU general education requirements.

• Submit a supplemental application for admission in NursingCAS, and provide the following documents: http://www.nursingcas.org/. These instructions are included in the NursingCAS application.
  • Provide official transcript(s) for all colleges and universities attended, showing the award of an associate degree in nursing from a national accredited nursing program or the equivalent degree in nursing from a foreign institution.
  • Provide an official academic transcript showing the award of an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a Florida public college or university. Students who do not have an AA degree will be required to meet all FGCU general education requirements.
  • Show evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
  • Provide evidence of current and unrestricted registered nurse’s license, or eligibility for RN licensure in Florida.
  • Provide evidence of a minimum of one year current practice experience as a registered nurse.
  • Submit a current resume.
  • Submit a statement of career goals.
  • Show evidence of completion of the following coursework with a grade of C or above:
    • BSC 1085C Human Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab (4)
    • BSC 1086C Human Anatomy & Physiology II with Lab (4)
    • CHM XXXX Chemistry (3) or BCH XXXX, BSC XXXX, PCB XXXX, PHY XXXX
    • DEP 2004 Principles of Development (3)
    • HSC 2577 Nutrition Human Health and Wellness (3)
    • MCB 2010C Microbiology with Lab (4)
    • PSY 2012 General Psychology (3) or PSY XXXX, SOP XXXX, SYG XXXX
    • STA 2023 Statistical Methods (3)
• Upon gaining undergraduate admission to the RN-MSN pathway, complete the following 22 credits of RN-MSN Bridge courses with a grade of B or above, prior to transitioning to graduate standing:
  • NUR 4807 Transition Prof Nursing (2)
  • NUR 3065C Health Assessment (3)
  • NUR 3125 Pathophysiology in Nursing (3)
  • NUR 3833 Patient Care Management in Nursing (3)
  • NUR 4169 Evidence-Based Nursing Practice in Symptom Management (3)
  • NUR 4636 Community & Pub Health Nursing (3)
  • NUR 4636L Community and Pub Hlth Nurs Clinic (2)
  • NUR 4165 Principles of Nursing Research (3)
• To achieve graduate standing, RN-MSN students must complete the following, during the last semester of undergraduate coursework:
  • Complete the 22 credits of RN-MSN Bridge courses.
  • Show evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale in all undergraduate coursework.
  • Provide official, competitive, GRE scores, taken within the last five years (quantitative, verbal, and analytic).
• International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.

Program Requirements for the 2025-2026 Catalog Year

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students in the program must meet specific progression, clinical, and graduation requirements.  See Nurse Educator Program Guidebook, General Graduate Academic Policies and FGCU Graduation Requirements.
• Submit an application for graduation by the semester deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
• Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
• Earn a minimum of 30 credits with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Satisfactory completion of Nurse Educator capstone project.
• Satisfactory completion of Professional Portfolio.

Program Requirements

Note: See program admission requirements for prerequisite courses.

Required Courses in the Major (38 credits)
NGR 6002 Advanced Health Assessment (3)
NGR 6002L Adv Health Assessment Practice (1)
NGR 6141 Advanced Pathophysiology (4)
NGR 6172 Pharmacotherapeutics (4)
NGR 6701 Academic Role Nurse Educator (3)
NGR 6710 Teach & Assess Strat Nsg Ed (3)
NGR 6711L Adv Clin Pract for Nurse Educ (2)
NGR 6712 Foundations of Nursing Educ. (3)
NGR 6713 Design&Eval of Nurs Curricula (3)
NGR 6718 Testing & Eval in Nursing Educ (1)
NGR 6811 Advanced Nursing Research (3)
NGR 6941L Nurse as Educator Practicum (3)
NGR 6942 Nurse Educator Capstone (4)
NGR 6945L Clinical Specialty Practice (1)

Total Credits Required: 38 HRS