Top 10 Online MSN in Nursing Education Programs for 2025

US News & World Report ranks Duke as the top Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Education program nationwide. This 36-credit hybrid online master’s in nursing education caters to working professionals. 

Students attend flexible online classes and get to complete their in-person practicum close to home. In the final semester, students work alongside experienced educators in academic or staff development settings, depending on their goals and preferences.

Drexel offers a top-ranked MSN in Education online, providing a one-of-a-kind learning experience with board-certified instructors. While the program only takes four quarters to complete, enrolled students get locked into the three-year tuition rate. This rate keeps the total program cost relatively low.

All the coursework for this program is online, and the program includes a 3-day virtual experience via Zoom. Additionally, students must attend practicum experiences in person.

The University of Cincinnati offers three convenient start dates in the summer, fall, and spring. Students starting in the fall or spring can complete the online Master’s Degree in Nursing Education in as little as one year. The university specifically designed the program for working students. However, many students will need to cut back on working hours during the in-person clinical component.

UNC Wilmington offers a Master’s in Nursing Education online program with six convenient start dates annually. Students can complete this program in as little as one year with a full-time course load.

The mostly online program includes eleven core courses, including two hands-on practical, and one nursing elective for a total of 36 credits. The program at UNC is one of the cheapest in the country, and students can pay by the course for all online programs.

Online nursing education students at UMass complete their didactic courses online, but have two in-person clinical courses, a direct-care practicum, and a teaching practicum. While most online MSN in Nursing Education degrees have an in-person practicum, UMass is unique in including the clinical and direct-care courses. Students who want to earn an additional APRN degree may benefit from these experiences. 

Current restrictions apply to students from Alabama, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and Washington state. Students should reach out to an admissions counselor before applying if they currently live in one of these states to learn more about their eligibility.

The Texas A&M online nursing education MSN didactic courses are completely virtual. The program requires hands-on clinical experiences, which students may complete locally. However, they must visit Bryan-College Station twice to participate in 45 on-campus clinical hours. 

Ranked among the top online MSN in Nursing Education programs according to U.S. News & World Report, Duquesne offers countless advanced nursing degrees. The nursing education program focuses on faculty roles and prepares students to work in academia. While students attend most classes online, the degree requires in-person clinical experiences.

UConn’s online MSN in Nursing Education program is ideal for students who want to earn a terminal degree in nursing education eventually. The program provides 560 practicum hours, over half of the required 1000 practicum hours established for all Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. 

UConn does have some of the strictest admission requirements. To be eligible for this program, applicants must have at least 2,080 hours of clinical experience providing direct patient care.

Students enrolled in Bama’s MSN in education online can complete their courses on a part or full-time schedule. The university offers three start dates year-round, providing flexibility and convenience to students.

While the program is primarily online, students must also participate in hands-on clinical experiences. In total, the online MSN encompasses 35 credit hours and 360 clinical hours.

Consistently ranked among the top nursing and nursing education programs nationwide, USC offers a direct-entry RN to MSN program in addition to its traditional pathway. Now, registered nurses without a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree can earn their MSN in Education online. 

USC offers courses in 7 or 15-week semesters. Students can complete the 39 credit-hour program online and attend in-person practice in their local area.