Athens State is pleased to announce that the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) has approved a new Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Education (MSN-NE) degree program that is anticipated to begin in Spring 2027. The Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Education (MSN-NE) degree program is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This program is an expansion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program and is designed to enable our undergraduate alumni to advance their careers while addressing a regional critical need for nurse educators.
The MSN-NE program will prepare professional nurses to serve as nurse educators in academic and healthcare settings, equipping them to engage pre-licensure students and practicing nurses in effective teaching and learning environments. Through coursework focused on curriculum design, instructional strategies, teaching and learning, and outcomes evaluation, graduates will be prepared to design evidence-based curricula, implement effective instructional practices, evaluate learning outcomes, and promote student success. Graduates will be qualified to teach in associate degree and baccalaureate nursing programs, as well as healthcare and staff development settings, while fostering critical thinking, clinical judgment, and professional development to support high-quality, safe, and compassionate patient care through excellence in nursing education.
The program is being developed in response to a growing need for graduate-prepared nurse educators. An aging nursing faculty workforce, coupled with the ongoing nursing shortage, has contributed to a critical need to expand the pipeline of qualified nurse educators. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, more than 80,000 qualified applications to nursing programs were rejected nationally during the 2024-2025 academic year, with nursing faculty shortages identified as the primary reason. The nursing faculty vacancy rate in the Southern United States was 8.2%, compared to a national average of 7.2%. Additionally, the National League for Nursing reported in its 2025 faculty census that approximately one-third of the nursing faculty workforce is projected to reach retirement age during the 2025-2026 academic year.
“The launch of our Master of Science in Nursing reflects Athens State University’s commitment to advancing nursing education and addressing the growing need for qualified nurse educators,” said Dr. Mark Reynolds, Chief Nurse Administrator. “This program will equip experienced nurses to become transformational educators who will inspire, mentor, and prepare the next generation of nurses. By investing in those who teach, we are strengthening the future of the nursing profession and improving healthcare in the communities we serve.”
