Nursing

Earn your MSN online in as few as 12 months

Our MSN features 7-week accelerated online courses, so you can build the program around your schedule. Based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education and the National League for Nursing (NLN) nurse educator competencies, our program meets the educational criteria for the NLN Nurse Educator Certificate. Choose from 6 start dates throughout the year — our faculty and staff are readily available to support you.

Program requirements

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E-tuition & fees

Costs include tuition & fees. All students receive our e-tuition rate. See cost details

Credit hours

36 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours.
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Financial aid

Over 150 graduate assistantships available with stipend & tuition assistance, plus scholarship, fellowship & research opportunities. Explore aid

Admissions

6 entry terms per year. No GRE required. View application process & deadlines

Program highlights

Earn your degree in as few as 12 months with our accelerated online program.
Progress quickly with 7-week courses.
Begin as soon as you’re ready: We offer 6 start dates throughout the year.
Save money with affordable tuition: Online students receive our e-tuition rate.
Enhance your skillset through practicum experience in clinical practice settings as well as teaching in a variety of situations.
Receive personalized support from our easily accessible staff and faculty.
Study in a program that is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Expected career outcomes

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Earn your Nurse Educator Certificate

Build a strong foundation in nursing theory and research; education methods; leadership and health policy. Our program meets the educational criteria for the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Nurse Educator Certificate.

View program details

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Admission information: Nursing — Nursing Education (MSN) | Accelerated Online

Application deadlines & program start dates

Choose from 6 start dates per year.

Session	Application deadline	Program start date
Spring 2026 term: Session 1	January 2, 2026	January 20, 2026
Spring 2026 term: Session 2	March 4, 2026	March 23, 2026
Summer 2026 term: Session 1	April 29, 2026	May 18, 2026
Summer 2026 term: Session 2	June 17, 2026	July 6, 2026
Fall 2026 term: Session 1	August 12, 2026	August 31, 2026
Fall 2026 term: Session 2	October 7, 2026	October 26, 2026

Each student’s application for admission will be evaluated based on a composite of the following recommended standards:

A baccalaureate degree with a major in nursing from a degree program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League for Nursing.
Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or a B average.
RN licensure — unencumbered and current licensure in the state in which practicum will be completed.
Undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of C or better.
Students with a GPA less than 3.0 may submit GRE or MAT scores to be considered.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

Application: Online application
Application fee:
- In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
- International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
- International College transcripts: In addition to an official copy of the transcript, we require an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by one of the following transcript analysis agencies
  - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)
  - Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

Essay/Personal Statement addressing the following:
- Demonstrate your understanding of the nurse administrator/educator role and reasons for becoming a nurse leader.
- Explain your professional goals that will be supported by the Master of Science in Nursing degree.
- Outline the experiences, capacity, and abilities brought to a master’s program.
- Document your reasons for choosing the University of Southern Maine for this program.
Evidence (photocopy or PDF) of an unencumbered registered nurse license.

What are the international student application instructions?

What are the English proficiency test score requirements?

Where do I send my application materials?

Learn more about our accelerated online Master of Science in Nursing Education

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Real-world experience

Fine-tune your skillset through a practicum with the support of a preceptor and an engaged faculty member. You’ll gain well-rounded experience in both an education setting and a clinical practice setting.

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Dedicated faculty

Our faculty are active in research and policy issues at the state and national level, are board members of state and national nursing associations, and frequently publish in leading nursing journals.

Meet our faculty

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Graduate student support

Our Office of Graduate Studies connects you with opportunities for professional development, scholarships, and graduate assistantships. They also foster our graduate student community through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

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Scholarship opportunities

Scholarships offer financial aid that doesn’t need to be repaid. We encourage students in graduate degree programs to apply for scholarship opportunities.

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Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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Connect with us

Our monthly Graduate Information Sessions are an excellent way to learn more about the benefits of our program, as well as our admissions and financial processes.

Next steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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