News Releases
Capella University Introduces Online Master of Science in Nursing
New online degree offers two Nurse Educator specializations
MINNEAPOLIS, June 5, 2009 - Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited* online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for adults, announced a new Master of Science in Nursing online degree program. The program has two specializations, Nurse Educator and Nurse Educator Bridge. Both were developed to help address the growing need for nurse educators.
"There is a critical need for nurse educators," said Christopher Cassirer, ScD, MPH, president of Capella University and dean of the new School of Public Service Leadership. "According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), U.S. nursing schools turned away more than 40,000 qualified applicants for the 2007-2008 school year, and nearly three-fourths of them cited faculty shortages as a reason they could not accept all qualified applicants. This is an issue that is affecting our country's ability to educate enough registered nurses to meet the needs of our health care system. The AACN projects a shortfall of 340,000 nurses by the year 2020, and the U.S. Department of Education has also identified nursing as an 'area of national need.'"
Based on AACN Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing
Capella's Nurse Educator specialization is designed for RNs who have completed their BSN, while the Nurse Educator Bridge is designed for RNs who have bachelor's degrees in a field other than nursing. Both incorporate the AACN's Essentials of Master's Education for Advanced Practice Nursing. The Nurse Educator Bridge curriculum also incorporates AACN's Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice.
The two specializations draw on Capella's expertise in faculty education, which includes a PhD specialization in Nursing Education. Graduates of the MSN program who wish to continue on to a PhD may be eligible to transfer up to 48 credits into a Capella online PhD program, which could reduce their time and cost of completing a PhD. MSN students will also benefit from being part of Capella's new School of Public Service Leadership, which features an interprofessional approach to education that brings together faculty and students from health care, public administration, and public safety, professionals who often must work together to address public sector challenges.
Program features electronic books and automatic registration
Courses are taught in a prescribed sequence that builds on students' newly developed knowledge and skills. Students are automatically registered for the entire sequence of courses, saving them time and ensuring they are enrolled in the correct courses each quarter. Both specializations also feature convenient, electronic textbooks, which lower program costs and provide immediate access to course materials.
MSN students eligible for tuition savings
As part of Capella's commitment to public service education, the university has announced more than $100,000 in tuition savings for students enrolled in selected master's programs in the School of Public Service Leadership. MSN students who start their program between July 13 and October 5, 2009, are eligible for tuition savings during the first four quarters of their program.
Enrollment now open
Capella is now accepting enrollment applications for the two MSN specializations. For more information, please call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552) or e-mail info@capella.edu.
Review of the MSN, Nurse Educator and Nurse Educator Bridge specializations are pending in AL, AR, AZ, FL, GA, KY, MN, ND, SC, VA, WA, and WI.
About Capella University
Capella University (NASDAQ: CPLA – News)(www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, fully online university that has built its reputation by providing quality education for working adults. More than 80 percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public administration, public health, and public safety. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, public administration, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 123 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. More than 28,000 learners were enrolled as of March 31, 2009, from all 50 states and 55 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).
*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.
Learn more about earning an online degree at Capella University:
