The UA College of Education and the Capstone College of Nursing offer an MSN leading to a Doctorate of Education (EdD) with Nurse Educator Specialization and an EdD with Nurse Educator Specialization. Both programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses for nursing faculty positions. Graduates are prepared to teach nursing in community or four-year colleges and universities in their area of expertise.

In this program, baccalaureate prepared nurses obtain a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and a Doctorate in Education (EdD) in Instructional Leadership with nurse educator specialization. Nurses that have an MSN degree enter the EdD program to earn an EdD in Instructional Leadership with Nurse Educator Specialization. Coursework for the MSN/EdD and EdD programs can be completed in three or three and one-half years of full-time study, respectively.

The curricula for the MSN/EdD and EdD with Nurse Educator Specialization support the competencies for nurse educators specified by the National League for Nursing (NLN) and the Southern Regional Education Board Council on Collegiate Education in Nursing (SCCEN).

MSN-EdD dually enrolled students who have satisfactorily completed all coursework and the comprehensive examination are eligible to apply for graduation from the MSN program before the EdD is completed.  To receive the MSN before EdD completion, students will be required to submit and receive Graduate School approval of the following:  (1) an application for candidacy for the MSN degree; (2) an application for the MSN degree; and (3) an application for candidacy for the EdD degree.  Students also must pay existing fees in accordance with Graduate School policies. 

When EdD requirements are completed, the student will submit an application for the EdD degree and pay existing fees in accordance with Graduate School policies.   Links to relevant forms are below: 

·        Admission to Candidacy for the Master's Degree

·        Application for Degree

·        Admission to Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree  

Doctor of Education Program Planning
See the College of Education and Instructional Leadership sections of this catalog for additional policies and procedures relevant to the EdD with Nurse Educator Specialization program.

Admission Requirements for MSN/EdD and EdD with Nurse Educator Specialization
Admission requirements are consistent with those in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog. Applicants for the MSN./EdD and EdD with Nurse Educator Specialization degree programs will be considered on a competitive basis. Nurses who are interested in the programs, are encouraged to contact the Capstone College of Nursing, Director of Graduate Programs. The following are minimum requirements for admission for both programs:

1. For regular admission, a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall (based on a 4.0 system) or 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work

2. For conditional admission, a grade point average of at least 2.5 overall (based on a 4.0 system) for undergraduate work, and a score of at least 900 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test or at least the 40th percentile on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

3. Current unencumbered RN licensure in the United States and eligibility for an Alabama license

4. An entrance examination score no. lower than the 50th percentile on either of the following examinations: Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE)

5. Complete the Graduate School application process.  Two applications are required: one for the MSN and one for the EdD

6. Complete the Instructional Leadership application process to include:

   1. Complete and submit the Instructional Leadership application form 

   2. Curriculum Vitae

   3. Sample of academic writing

   4. Three letters of reference written on professional letterhead

   5. Appropriate prior educational preparation from an accredited school of nursing (Master’s degree in nursing for EdD with nurse educator specialization; Baccalaureate degree in nursing for MSN/EdD)

Additional information is in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements

The degrees of Master of Science in Nursing and the EdD with Nurse Educator Specialization will be awarded to the student who has met the following requirements:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher

• good standing at the time of graduation

• successful final oral defense of the dissertation

• for the MSN/EdD program, successful completion of the required coursework and dissertation hours

• for the EdD program, successful completion of the required coursework and dissertation hours

• The degrees must be completed simultaneously.

If a student is enrolled in the dual-degree program of study and opts out of one of the degrees, the student must complete the “regular” version of the degree program. That is, the student would not be able to earn the degree by completing only the truncated set of requirements for the dual degree.

If a student opts out of one of the degrees and completes the other, then later decides to pursue the remaining degree, the student cannot complete the truncated version of that program’s requirements to earn the degree. The “maximum 6 hours from a previous degree” policy would be in effect for the second degree.

Admission to Candidacy

Admission to the Graduate School does not imply admission of a student to candidacy for a degree. Admission to candidacy is contingent upon the recommendation of the program faculty and the approval of the graduate dean. A student pursuing Dual degrees is required to apply for admission to candidacy for each degree.

The MSN student must apply for admission to candidacy after 12 semester hours of graduate credit have been earned at The University of Alabama and/or by transfer credit. The EdD student must apply for candidacy after all coursework listed on program of study has been completed and comprehensive exams have been successfully passed. Approval will depend on:

• the quality of the applicant's graduate work prior to the time the application is made (see    the Degree Requirements in this catalog);

• the removal of any special conditions; and

• the certification of the graduate director that the student is well qualified to continue work toward a degree.

Complete an Admission to Candidacy for the Master's Degree form for the MSN and submit it to the College of Nursing for approval.  Complete another Admission to Candidacy for the Doctoral Degree form for the EdD and submit it to the Educational Leadership, Policy & Technology Studies department in the College of Education.  The department-approved candidacy forms will be forwarded the Graduate School for final approval. 

Time limit for doctoral study. Doctoral programs of study may include appropriate coursework that has been earned six years prior to the date of the student's admission to the doctoral program. All degree requirements must be completed within seven years of the date of the student's admission to and enrollment in the doctoral program. Additional information is in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog. 

Curriculum. Coursework for the MSN/EdD and EdD with Nurse Educator Specialization programs can be completed in three and one-half or three years of full-time study respectively, followed by completion of a dissertation.

MSN/EdD SAMPLE PROGRAM OF STUDY – subject to revision

EdD SAMPLE PROGRAM OF STUDY – subject to revision

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG

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