Master of Science in Nursing
Learn about the Master of Nursing: Clinical Nurse Leader program or the Master of Nursing: Nurse Educator program at Vermont State.
Current information appears on Castleton University pages for students entering in and prior to the 2022-2023 academic year.
Move Up With an MSN
Our online Master of Science in Nursing prepares you to become a clinical nurse leader (CNL) or a certified nurse educator (CNE) with a highly in-demand skill set. If you are a working nurse, you can complete the program part-time within two years, and you can often complete the clinical requirements right where you work. Save your time. Practice where you’re familiar. And train to raise the quality of care to your standards, as a leader with a vision.
Why Pursue an MSN at Castleton?
- Flexibility: Eight-week modules allow you to enroll when you're ready and complete the program at your own pace. You can earn your MSN in as few as 24 months.
- Convenience: Required clinical hours can be completed in your area and sometimes even at your current job. If needed, our clinical coordinator can help you find a placement.
- Professors who care: Our "Online-plus" approach means you have direct access to your professors through in-person or virtual office hours. And because of our small size and relationship-based education model, your professors will know who you are and care about your success.
- Two paths to certification: Our Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration qualifies you to sit for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) certification examination for CNLs. And our Nurse Educator (NE) concentration qualifies you to sit for the National League for Nursing (NLN) certification examination for either Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) or Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE-cl).
- Higher earnings: Clinical nurse leader salaries average about $94,000, according to Glassdoor, compared to $84,000 yearly earnings for those who only hold a bachelor's degree.
- Funding opportunities: Employers are often motivated to provide financial assistance for nurses who want to develop their skills in an MSN program. MSN students may be also eligible for graduate financial aid packages from Castleton.
Request more information about Castleton's Master of Science in Nursing →
Explore the Two Concentrations
- Nurse Educator
The Nurse Educator (NE) concentration prepares you to teach nursing students in an academic setting and/or nursing staff in clinical settings and qualifies you to sit for the National League for Nursing (NLN) certification examination for either Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) or Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE-cl). - Clinical Nurse Leader
The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) concentration equips you for leadership positions in clinical settings and qualifies you to sit for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) certification examination for CNLs.
View MSN program requirements →
What You'll Learn
With the increasing complexity of healthcare, you need a new skill set to keep pace and become a leader. Our MSN courses are designed to give you those skills and are taught by doctorally prepared nurses. All courses in the program are offered online, through distance-learning methods. You will complete hands-on clinical experiences under the guidance of qualified preceptors, with faculty guidance and support, near where you live. In the semester prior to graduation, you will complete a transitional course that combines online coursework with an internship to showcase your advanced practice knowledge and skills.
In the Clinical Nurse Leader concentration, your courses will focus on competency in quality improvement, interdisciplinary team care, evidence-based practice, policy, and organization. In the Nurse Educator concentration, you will learn to develop coursework curriculum, teach courses, evaluate educational programs, oversee clinical rotations, and conduct research. In either concentration, you will graduate prepared to lead the change to promote health and elevate care in every setting in which you serve.
Sample Courses
- Advanced Health Assessment and Health Promotion
- Advanced Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Advanced Practice
- Clinical Nurse Leader Immersion-Seminar
- Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Healthcare
- Healthcare Informatics
- Leading Organizational Change
- Risk & Financial Management
- The Nurse Educator Role
- Transitions to the Advanced Practice Role
What Careers Can I Pursue with an MSN?
The Castleton MSN can make you a stronger candidate for managerial positions in nursing and qualify you to teach nursing at a college or university. It can also position you for further studies, such as a doctorate, which can lead to even more advanced positions, academic jobs, or careers in research. During the program, you will make many connections with people in your industry through courses and conferences.
Nurse Educator Career Paths*
- Administrative Nursing Staff
- Associate Dean of a Nursing School
- Clinical Faculty Member
- Dean of a Nursing School
- Hospital-Based Educator
- NCLEX Educator
- Professor
- Specialist in Continued Education
- Unit-Based Educator
*According to nurse.org
Clinical Nurse Leader Career Paths*
- Care Coordinator
- Case Manager
- Clinical Director
- Clinical Educator
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- CNL Faculty
- Manager/Director
- Nurse Administrator
- Patient and Care Facilitator
- Quality Care Coordinator
- School Nurse
- Staff Nurse
- Unit Coordinator
*According to the The Commission on Nurse Certification CNL 2016 Job Analysis
Affordability and Value
The MSN at Castleton has an affordable per-credit tuition rate — and because our program is flexible and online, you can continue working and earning as you complete your graduate degree. You may also be eligible for graduate financial aid.
Learn about graduate tuition and financial aid →
Meet Our Nursing Faculty
You will have direct access to professors who are doctorally trained nurses, leading nurse educators, advanced practice nurses, and experienced clinical nurse leaders. Through in-person or virtual office hours, you will work closely with faculty who care deeply about your success.
Admissions Requirements
To apply to the MSN program, you must possess an unencumbered license to practice as a registered professional nurse in the United States. Additional admission requirements include:
- Submission of all post-secondary transcripts
- A minimum GPA of 3.0
- Demonstrated successful completion of an accredited baccalaureate degree in nursing
- A resume with job and educational history
- A letter of recommendation from a current and immediate supervisor; other recommendations may be supplied as well
Learn about graduate student admissions at Castleton →
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Castleton University has received provisional approval (pending graduation of the first class) from the Vermont Board of Nursing (BON). Email: SOS.OPRLicensing1@Vermont.gov
Office of Professional Regulation, 89 Main Street, 3rd Floor Montpelier, VT 05620-3402. Phone: 802-828-2396
The master's degree program in nursing at Castleton University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education,655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.