Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
College: College of Science and Health
Department: Nursing and Health
Student Type: Graduate Semester
Degree: Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N)
Campus: Lisle Campus
Introduction
America’s changing population coupled with the complexity of the healthcare system requires increasingly knowledgeable nurses who can lead change and effectively collaborate with the interprofessional team to improve the health outcomes of those they serve. To meet ever-changing demands and ensure the continued quality of nursing care, Benedictine University’s Department of Nursing and Health offers its online Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) to prepare registered nurses to become nursing leaders.
Overview
The M.S.N. curriculum aligns with the advanced level education standards specified by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing with its 10 Domains for Nursing, 8 Concepts for Nursing Practice, and 45 Competencies as articulated in, The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021). The Benedictine M.S.N. curriculum combines eight (8) foundation courses with two (2) clinical courses to complete the M.S.N. degree with a concentration in nursing leadership. The degree program can be completed in 24 months. Foundation courses run eight weeks in duration and are typically taken one at a time. The two clinical courses are semester-long requiring completion of 250 clock-hours of planned clinical practice experiences (total of 500 hours) and execution of a master’s level quality improvement project.
Accreditation
The Master's Degree in Nursing Program at Benedictine University is accredited by:
The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
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Post Master’s Nurse Educator or Nurse Executive Leader Certificate
Students may not declare the Post Master's Certificates after the Fall 2025 term.
Students prior to Spring 2026, please refer to original catalog of entry for appropriate academic requirements.
Overview
The Nurse Educator and Nurse Executive Leader Certificates are designed for professional registered nurses who possess a Master of Science or higher degree in nursing and are looking to build upon current expertise to gain advanced knowledge and skills in nursing education or nursing management and executive leadership.
The Nurse Educator Certificate promotes collaboration to meet the educational needs of a broad array of diverse learners including nursing students, interdisciplinary healthcare teams, patients, and populations in a variety of settings. Key concepts such as instructional design and technology, teaching and learning theory, curriculum development, and evaluation of learning are examined with emphasis on application to clinical practice. The certificate meets the education requirements described in the National League for Nursing’s eligibility criteria for the Nurse Educator certification examination.
The Nurse Executive Leader Certificate focuses on attributes to lead within complex healthcare systems. Key concepts such as effective communication, conflict resolution, leadership style, systems and strategic thinking, financial management, and resource allocation are examined. The certificate meets the continuing education requirements described in the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s eligibility criteria for the Nurse Executive Advanced certification examination.
Starting the M.S.N. Program
Applicants must have:
- a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (B.S.N.) from a regionally accredited college or university.
- attained a cumulative GPA of 2.750 (on a 4.000 scale).
- proof of unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the U.S.
- computer skills and proficiency in word processing, email, and library online searches.
- a score on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) in accordance with the Graduate Catalog policy for those applicants where English is not their primary language.
- official transcripts from post-secondary institutions.
- a statement of goals - maximum of two pages describing goals and rationale for pursuing a master’s degree in nursing.
Accepted students must meet health and safety requirements including selected immunizations and screening tests, CPR certification, flu shot, health insurance, and professional liability insurance. Additional requirements may be necessary as specified by the agency at which the clinical experiences are conducted. Documentation is submitted to a Department of Nursing and Health designated vendor. A one-time fee is paid by the student upon activation of the document tracking account. Submission and approval of required documentation must be completed in accordance with established dates.
Starting the Certificate Program
Students may not declare the Post Master's Certificates after the Fall 2025 term.
Students prior to Spring 2026, please refer to original catalog of entry for appropriate academic requirements.
Applicants must have:
- A Master of Science or higher degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited college or university,
- earned cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher (on a 4.000 scale) upon completion of the master's or higher degree in nursing program,
- proof of unencumbered license as a registered nurse in the U.S., and
- official sealed transcripts from the institution where the highest degree in nursing was conferred.
M.S.N. Curriculum
The M.S.N. program with a concentration in Nursing Leadership requires 36 semester credit hours of graduate coursework, which consists of 24 semester credit hours of foundation courses and 12 semester credit hours of on-ground planned clinical practice experiences housed within two (2) semester-long courses. A 500-hour practicum is completed in a clinical setting during the final two courses allowing for the development of advanced level nursing practice competence. A culminating master’s level quality improvement project affords students the opportunity to synthesize and apply their knowledge to improve patient/client outcomes. Courses include:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | ||
| NRHL 5700 | The Scope of Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NRHL 5702 | Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing | 3 |
| NRHL 5704 | Informatics and Technology for Healthcare 3 | 3 |
| NRHL 5706 | Leading an Environment of Quality and Safety 1 | 3 |
| NRHL 5720 | Financial Management in Healthcare Systems | 3 |
| NRHL 5722 | Promoting Accountability for Person-Centered Care 2 | 3 |
| NRHL 5724 | Organizational and Community Partnerships to Improve Population Health 4 | 3 |
| NRHL 5726 | Professionalism and Leadership in Nursing | 3 |
| M.S.N. Practicum | ||
| NRHL 6600 | Advanced Nursing Practice I | 6 |
| NRHL 6602 | Advanced Nursing Practice II | 6 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
NRHL 7706 Leading a Culture of Quality and Safety may be awarded proficiency credit if equivalent MSN graduate coursework in NRHL 5706 Leading an Environment of Quality and Safety was satisfactorily completed with a final grade of “B” or better.
- 2
NRHL 7722 Advocacy and Accountability for Person-Centered Care may be awarded proficiency credit if equivalent MSN graduate coursework in NRHL 5722 Promoting Accountability for Person-Centered Care was satisfactorily completed with a final grade of “B” or better.
- 3
NRHL 5704 Informatics and Technology for Healthcare may be awarded proficiency credit if equivalent RN to BSN course in NRHL 4500 Informatics for Professional Nursing Practice was satisfactorily completed with a grade of “B” or better.
- 4
NRHL 5724 Organizational and Community Partnerships to Improve Population Health may be awarded proficiency credit if equivalent RN to BSN course in NRHL 4502 Nursing’s Role in Population Health was satisfactorily completed with a grade of “B” or better.
Certificate Curriculum
Students may not declare the Post Master's Certificates after the Fall 2025 term.
Students prior to Spring 2026, please refer to original catalog of entry for appropriate academic requirements.
Each post master’s certificate requires completion of three 3-semester credit hour graduate-level nursing courses. Post master’s certificate students are held to the policies and procedures of the Benedictine University Graduate Catalog. As noted in the “Certificate Programs” policy, a minimum GPA of 3.000 in certificate applicable coursework is required to receive a certificate. Courses include:
Nurse Educator Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRHL 6641 | Instructional Strategies | 3 |
| NRHL 6645 | Curriculum Development | 3 |
| NRHL 6647 | Evaluation Strategies and Methods | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Nurse Executive Leader Certificate
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NRHL 6620 | Building Effective Communication and Relationships | 3 |
| NRHL 6646 | Leadership and Systems Thinking | 3 |
| NRHL 6648 | Financial Management and Resource Allocation | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Faculty
Deborah Jezuit (2010), Ph.D., M.S.N., RN
Department Chair, B.S.N. Program Director, M.S.N.
Associate Professor, Nursing and Health
Ph.D. 2001, Rush University
M.S. in Nursing 1988 Purdue University
B.S.N. 1975, Ball State University
Alison Ridge (2012), D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, CNE
Graduate Program Director, M.S.N.
Associate Professor, Nursing and Health
D.N.P. 2010, Rush University
M.S.N. 2004, Rush University
B.S.N. 1986, Rush University
B.A. 1985, North Central College
Lecturers
Patricia Brown, D.N.P., APRN, CNS, CCRN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Mercy Chirpich, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Cheryl Davis, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, CNE
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Margaret Delaney, Ed.D., APRN, PPCNP-BC Lecturer, M.S.N.
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Marti Kessack, Ph.D., M.S.N./Ed., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Camille McNicholas, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CRNA, APRN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Sarah Mutschlecner, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, FNP-BC
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Therese Shipps, D.N.Sc., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Caroline Soyemi, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN, HFSN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Sonja Spencer, D.N.P, M.S.N., RN Lecturer, M.S.N.
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Judith Treschuk, Ph.D., M.S.N., RN, CNS, CNE
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Jasmin Whitfield, D.N.P., M.S.N., M.P.H., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
Marilyn Wideman, D.N.P., M.S.N., RN
Lecturer, M.S.N.
The lecturers listed are individuals who have been employed as instructors on an as-needed basis, within the last several years, to teach courses at Benedictine University. Instructors listed may not currently be employed by Benedictine University. The University is fortunate to be able to provide our students with part-time faculty whose experience, credentials and commitment to education add to the high quality of our resident faculty.
Students in the Master of Science in Nursing Program will achieve the following student learning outcomes (SLO):
Student Learning Outcome 1: Integrate nursing knowledge and science and relevant science-based theories as the basis for advanced nursing practice.
- University SLO: 1. Disciplinary Competence and Skills
Student Learning Outcome 2: Critically appraise existing research to determine and implement the best evidence to advance the scholarship of nursing.
- University SLO: 5. Analytical Skills
Student Learning Outcome 3: Utilize leadership practices to advance healthcare policy promoting a culture of safety and delivering quality cost-effective care.
- University SLO: 8. Stewardship
Student Learning Outcome 4: Integrate information and communication technologies to deliver quality healthcare services in accordance with best practices and professional and regulatory standards.
- University SLO: 4. Information Fluency
Student Learning Outcome 5: Engage in interprofessional partnerships focused on the improvement of patient and population health outcomes in an ethical, legal, and fiscally responsible manner.
- University SLO: 7. Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
Student Learning Outcome 6: Communicate effectively to promote person-centered care and enhance the health and well-being of persons.
- University SLO: 3 Communication Skills
Student Learning Outcome 7: Engage in advocacy initiatives to support and improve equitable population health outcomes.
- University SLO: 6. Global Awareness and Cultural Awareness
Student Learning Outcome 8: Complete a master’s-level quality improvement project demonstrating synthesis of coursework and advanced nursing practice.
- University SLO: 2. Critical and Creative Thinking Skills
Student Learning Outcome 9: Advance leadership and professional nursing identity through self-reflection, self-care, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
- University SLO: 9. Personal Development