Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | Shawnee State

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Choose from two fully-online concentrations of study that connect education and practice to improving the quality of life and health care delivery for rural communities.

The Master of Science in Nursing offers two concentrations – Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership.

You are as little as 5 semesters away from earning your MSN. This fully-online program allows for three entry points and is offered full-time and part-time to conveniently meet the needs of working professionals.

The program concludes with two capstone practicums and a project that you may choose to complete in your home area – allowing you to directly observe the impact of your education in the nursing field.

Our courses are designed to incorporate common beliefs of the Appalachian region into your everyday patient care and the education of future nurses.

Apply for Admission

Program Inquiry

Admission

For help or questions about applying, contact:

Bobbi Madden
Graduate School Administrator
(740) 351-3177
bmadden@shawnee.edu

Program

For questions about the MSN program or nursing at SSU, contact:

Adair Carroll
MSN Program Director
(740) 351-3249
acarroll2@shawnee.edu

Highlights

SSU graduate receiving diploma at commencement ceremony

Shawnee State University ranked among US News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges

Shawnee State University (SSU) ranked among the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the sixth year in a row.

Emma Swain

Shawnee State Nursing student fulfilling her dream

Emma Swain, a Salt Lake City, Utah native, is following in her family’s footsteps in the School of Nursing at Shawnee State University.

Kim Dinsey-Read

Shawnee State University welcomes Dr. Dinsey-Read as Director of School of Nursing

Shawnee State University’s Office of the Provost has announced the appointment of Dr. Kim Dinsey-Read to the Director of the university’s School of Nursing, beginning Jul. 15.

BSN Class of 2024 group photo

Shawnee State University BSN graduates receive 100% board pass rate

Shawnee State University’s Class of 2024 graduating class in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program has received a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to earn their Registered Nurse (RN) license, School of Nursing officials announced.

Nurse working in a hospital

Shawnee State University announces Master of Science in Nursing program to further nursing profession in region

Shawnee State University’s School of Nursing has introduced its first graduate program – an online Master of Science in Nursing.

Eric Braun

Shawnee State University inaugurates eighth President Eric Andrew Braun

In a celebration held on campus in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, President Braun was sworn in by university Board of Trustees Chairperson Scott Evans.

Designed to meet the needs of Rural Communities

A “place-based” MSN opportunity for those who want to stay local and advance in the profession.

Program at a glance:
  • Start Date: Multiple Start Dates are available. Contact bmadden@shawnee.edu to learn more.
  • Program Length: 20 months full-time/32 months part-time
  • Credit Hours: 36 semester hours
  • Course Length: 7 weeks
  • Transfer Credits Accepted: 9
  • Graduate Tuition Cost*: Learn more

*In-state Tuition for Ohio and the following Kentucky counties: Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Fleming, Greenup, Lawrence, Lewis, Mason and Rowan.

Get Started

Do you think that you might be interested in this degree? Schedule an appointment with an advisor to get started or talk about your options. Working with your advisor can help you to meet your academic goals in the shortest time possible.

Call (740) 351-3177 or email bmadden@shawnee.edu to learn more.

Earn your MSN in as little as 5 semesters

Full-time and part-time options are available to help you advance your career at a pace that fits your needs.
  • Students attending full-time will be able to complete the program in 5 semesters over 20 months.
  • Part-time students will be able to complete the program in 8 semesters over 32 months.

Choose from two concentrations:

Nursing Education or
Nursing Leadership

Graduates of the MSN program will be able to connect their education to improve quality of life (Nursing Education) and health care delivery (Nursing Leadership) for the rural community.

Apply Now!

Admission Requirements

Admission decisions will be made by the MSN Program Director and the School of Nursing Graduate Admissions Committee.

Admission requirements of SSU Graduate programs include an earned bachelor's degree in an acceptable field of study for the intended graduate degree and a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 system).

Conditional degree status may be granted to applicants with an overall GPA less than 3.0 but have a discipline-specific GPA higher than 3.0, contingent on approval of the Graduate Program Director. 

In addition to these requirements, MSN program applicants must submit:

  • Transcripts of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (traditional BSN or RN-BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Documentation of 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA. If Conditional Degree Status, applicants must have an undergraduate 2.5 GPA minimum and a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score above the 50th percentile
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nursing License 
  • 1000 hours of work experience as a Registered Nurse 
  • Personal statement of purpose  
  • Two letters of recommendation from employers or professors addressing the applicant’s potential to succeed in a graduate program 
  • Undergraduate course in Statistics 

For help with admission, call (740) 351-3177 or email bmadden@shawnee.edu

Apply for Admission

Degree Requirements

Nursing Education Concentration
36 Hours Total
Course Hours
Statistics for Health Care Professionals (Core) 3
Instructional Technology & Informatics in Advanced Practice Nursing (Core) 3
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (Core) 3
Advanced Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice (Core) 3
Teaching Methodologies and Needs Assessment 3
Nursing Instructional and Active Learning Strategies 3
Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology (Core) 3
Curriculum Development and Evaluation in Nursing Education 3
Health Care Policy, Issues & Trends for the Nurse Educator 3
The Nurse Educator’s Role 2
Nursing Education Project & Practicum 1 3
Nursing Education Project & Practicum 2 4
Total Credit Hours 36
Nursing Leadership Concentration
36 Hours Total
Course Hours
Statistics for Health Care Professionals (Core) 3
Instructional Technology & Informatics in Advanced Practice Nursing (Core) 3
Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice (Core) 3
Advanced Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice (Core) 3
Human Resources in Healthcare Systems 3
Health Care Policy, Legal & Regulatory Management for Nursing Administrators 3
Advanced Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology (Core) 3
Financial Resource Management in Health Care Administration 3
Nursing Leadership in Healthcare Organizations 3
The Nurse Administrator’s Role 2
Nursing Leadership Project & Practicum 1 3
Nursing Leadership Project & Practicum 2 4
Total Credit Hours 36

Student Handbook

Program Inquiry

Admission

For help or questions about applying, contact:

Bobbi Madden
Graduate School Administrator
(740) 351-3177
bmadden@shawnee.edu

Program

For questions about the MSN program or nursing at SSU, contact:

Adair Carroll
MSN Program Director
(740) 351-3249
acarroll2@shawnee.edu

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