Teaching Nursing
Program Description
This country is increasingly in need of qualified nurse faculty who have been educated to function effectively in academia. A significant part of the nursing shortage is related to the limited number of faculty available to teach the highly qualified applicant pool of men and women who apply to nursing programs across the country.
The University of Utah College of Nursing Teaching Nursing master’s (MS) specialty program is contributing to the next generation of nurse educators by offering a master’s degree in Teaching Nursing. We offer a 36-40 semester hour MS program with emphasis in nursing education for qualified registered nurses who wish to pursue graduate study to prepare themselves as entry level nurse educators. In the program of study emphasis is placed on mentorship with highly qualified nursing faculty in a variety of specialties, depending on the student’s interest.
Length of Program
The Teaching Nursing Master’s program is available in both full-time (9+ credit hours per semester) and part-time options. The full-time program of study is completed in two (2) years, including a summer semester. The part-time program of study is typically completed in three (3) years, including summer semesters. Thirty-six (36) to forty (40) credit hours are required to complete this program, depending on Synthesis/Thesis option selected. (36 for Master’s Synthesis; 40 for Master’s Thesis)
Program of Study
The Teaching Nursing program of study requires completion of the Master’s Degree core curriculum, Teaching Nursing specialty courses, and either a Master’s Synthesis or a Master’s Thesis.
Teaching Nursing Program of Study – Full Time
Teaching Nursing Program of Study – Part Time
Studying at a Distance
The Teaching Nursing program is available via distance, but primarily only to students near the Intermountain Region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming). Participation may not be possible in all areas. Utah residents must live more than one hour’s drive from the University of Utah to participate as a distance student.
Distance students are required to come to the University of Utah campus during their final semester, at their own expense, to defend their Master’s synthesis or thesis.
Admission Requirements
See the Master's Degree Admission Requirements page.
In addition to the Master’s Degree requirements, applicants to the Teaching Nursing program must also complete course NURS 5905 Clinical Physiology (offered through the University of Utah College of Nursing). Applicants who have not met this requirement can apply to the program and, if accepted, complete the course during the summer semester prior to enrolling in the program in fall.
How to Apply
A cohort of approximately 10-12 students is accepted into the Teaching Nursing program each fall semester. Applications are available fall of the previous year.
See the How to Apply page for deadlines and more information.
Post Graduate Certificate
A Teaching Nursing post graduate certificate is available. For more information, click here.
More Information
For more information about this program and answers to frequently asked questions, visit the related links at the right side of the page. If you have additional questions, contact the advisor below.
Brent Vawdrey
Graduate Advisor
(801) 581-8198
brent.vawdrey@nurs.utah.edu
For faculty consultation regarding the program of study, please contact the program director.
Pamela K Hardin, BSN, MN, PhD
Director, Teaching Nursing Program
801-585-9632
Pamlea.hardin@nurs.utah.edu