Master of Science in Nursing – Leadership and Education for Practice

The next generation of nurse leaders

The Master of Science in Nursing prepares you for a career as a leader and educator in the healthcare field to be able to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, and academic settings.

Our MSN program will help you develop the research and evidence-based practice skills you need to be an effective leader and to create educational programs that engage and inspire students and colleagues alike.

You may also find yourself advocating for your profession before your local legislature or in the halls of Congress. Just as important, if promoting excellence across nursing is your passion, you’ll be doing something you love.

With your MSN, you will act as both mentor and role model to novice and experienced nurses alike – becoming a driving force in improving the training of nurse professionals and improving patient care.

curriculum plan

Jump to MSN Specific Curriculum Requirements

Eligibility

A 4-year nursing degree from an accredited program conferred prior to the start of the program
Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Current, unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse
For new baccalaureate graduates, admission will be conditional pending licensure by the end of the summer semester.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition is charged based on the number of credits taken per semester.

MSN-Education: $950 per credit hour

You will also be charged a Program Fee and a Technology Fee each semester. In some semesters, you may be charged additional fees (such as simulation laboratory fees) that are associated with certain courses.

Estimated Program Fee: $165 per semester
Estimated Technology Fee: $150 per semester
Estimated Cost of Textbooks: $1500 per year

Estimated Course Fees per Student:

NRSG 439/539: $100

NRSG 562: MNNP Spring Conference: $99

Other anticipated expenses for 2024-2025:

Loan Fees: $216
Housing and Food (optional): $10,500
Books and Supplies: $1200
Travel: $750
Personal Expenses: $2250

Financial Information

Personalized financial assistance is available through the financial aid office.

There may be opportunities for tuition discounts if you are an alum or employee of CentraCare. There are limited opportunities for graduate nursing assistantships that could reduce tuition cost. Please contact the graduate nursing program chair for more information about tuition discounts or the graduate nursing assistantship.

Who is this program for?

Graduates of a BSN program who are committed to providing exceptional high quality nursing care and desires to expand their nursing knowledge, increase their leadership skills, and enter nursing practice with increased competence and confidence. You need not have aspirations to continue beyond the MSN, but many of you may choose a specialty later in your career and further your education. Regardless this degree will open doors for advancement in any practice environment. Here are some highlights of the program.
- 600 hours of additional clinical experience.
- Emphasis on Evidenced Based Practice
- Emphasis on Leadership.
- Emphasis on Education: Staff and nursing students’ development, and patient education.
- Networking – see below
- Earn your first certification! As a certified nursing educator.

Will graduate courses transfer to a nursing doctoral program?

If you choose to return to CSB within 5 years to pursue a DNP (FNP, or Leadership), your credits will transfer, pending acceptance in to the program.
If you choose a graduate nursing program at a different location, some courses may transfer depending on the chosen program, curriculum, and policies for transfer credits.*

*The number and credits of graduate course transfers varies, but is usually limited.

Networking, Experience and Flexibility

The MSN curriculum provides you the opportunity to network with leaders in nursing around the state of Minnesota who are pursuing their leadership and FNP doctorates at CSB. You will be in the same courses as these exceptional leaders. The Practicum course will provide an additional 120 clinical practice hours for you to expand your nursing knowledge and leadership skills, as you work alongside leading experts in specialty areas and nursing education.
With your degree, you will find increased opportunities with increased pay in many areas of nursing. You will quickly feel more comfortable than your peers in these leadership roles. Networking may lead to professional opportunities.
All graduate courses taken are hybrid in delivery, with the exception of the practicum hours. Each course conducts two synchronous meetings (in person or online) with the majority of the course delivery asynchronous online, with weekly assignments and discussion. Work, life, school balance is achievable.

FAQ for MSN Leadership and Education for Practice, 4+1 Option

Who is this program for?

Anyone who is committed to providing exceptional high quality nursing care and desires to expand their nursing knowledge, increase their leadership skills, and enter nursing practice with increased competence and confidence. You need not have aspirations to continue beyond the MSN, but many of you may choose a specialty later in your career and further your education. Regardless this degree will open doors for advancement in any practice environment. Here are some highlights of the program.
- 600 hours of additional clinical experience.
- Emphasis on Evidenced Based Practice
- Emphasis on Leadership.
- Emphasis on Education: Staff and nursing students’ development, and patient education.
- Networking – see below
- Earn your first certification! As a certified nursing educator.

What are the advantages to taking graduate courses in my senior year?

Cost savings.

Graduate courses taken in the senior year are considered part of the full-time undergraduate tuition fees, up to 18 credits. Post-graduation, these courses will cost $830-1200 per credit, depending on the program and location.
If you continue with your MSN at CSB, you will have saved approximately $9200. If you choose to return to CSB within 5 years to pursue a DNP (FNP, or Leadership), your credits will transfer, pending acceptance in to the program.
If you decide the MSN at CSB is not right for you and you choose a graduate nursing program at a different location, some courses may transfer. The graduate courses chosen for the senior year are part of the DNP core and may transfer depending on the chosen program, curriculum, and policies for transfer credits.*

*The number and credits of graduate course transfers varies, but is usually limited.

Networking, Experience and Flexibility

The addition of a graduate level QI course and Clinical Practicum, in the Fall senior year, will provide you the opportunity to network with leaders in nursing around the state of Minnesota who are pursuing their leadership and FNP doctorates at CSB. You will be in the same courses as these exceptional leaders. The Practicum course will provide an additional 120 clinical practice hours for you to expand your nursing knowledge and leadership skills as a designer of care at the bedside. You will graduate with increased confidence as you assume your first BSN position.
In the spring, senior year, you will continue to network with the same cohort of outstanding nursing leaders in three courses. Networking may lead to professional opportunities.
All graduate courses taken in the senior year are hybrid in delivery. There are two synchronous meetings (in person or online) per course, with the majority of the course delivery asynchronous online, with weekly assignments and discussion. Scheduling time for NCLEX review, job searching and interviewing, and preparing and studying for courses is less cumbersome as you do not have to work around 3 traditionally scheduled courses on campus.

Can I still study abroad my senior year?

YES! The NRSG 303 team has provided an exciting opportunity for a study abroad in Zambia for Spring 2023. If this is not an option for you, other outstanding local and perhaps state side opportunities will be open to you as well. There will be no difference in the Fall and Spring immersion offerings for NRSG 303, except for locations abroad.