Master of Science in Nursing
Now Enrolling
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program is designed for nurses with a BSN degree who are independent learners and who want the convenience and flexibility an online program can offer. The MSN degree requires a minimum of 46 credits consisting of different combinations of courses: core, specialty, and practicum.
Two areas of nursing specialty are offered: Nursing Education and Nursing Leadership and Business Management.
The Nurse Education program prepares graduates for teaching roles in healthcare and academic settings. Nursing Leadership and Business Management program prepares graduates for the role of nurse administrator in healthcare settings. On completion of the MSN degree program, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate scholarly inquiry by critically appraising and synthesizing nursing theory, nursing science, and related disciplines to inform evidence-based decision-making and/or initiate practice change.
- Apply ethical principles and professional standards to guide ethical decision-making in diverse nursing practice settings.
- Analyze the influence of health policy, finance, technology, and organizational systems on the development, delivery, and evaluation of quality and safe nursing practice.
- Demonstrate leadership strategies that support the design, implementation, and evaluation of nursing practice initiatives to improve healthcare outcomes.
- Analyze the effect of sociopolitical, cultural, and global influences on nursing practice across populations.
- Utilize effective interprofessional communication and collaboration to deliver person-centered, culturally responsive, and compassionate care that improves patient and population health outcomes.
- Integrate informatics and emerging healthcare technologies to support clinical decision-making, improve care delivery, and enhance patient safety.
Learn More About Our Online MSN Program
PUBLIC NOTICE OF UPCOMING ACCREDITATION REVIEW VISIT BY THE ACEN
Pacific Union College wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for initial accreditation of its Master of Science in Nursing program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person or through Microsoft Teams at a meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The in-person meeting will be held in Davidian Hall, Room 209, located at:
Pacific Union College
1 Angwin Avenue
Angwin, California 94508
Those wishing to participate virtually may join through Microsoft Teams using the following link:
Join the ACEN Public Comment Meeting
Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN by email at public-comments@acenursing.org or mailed to:
Attn: Accreditation Services
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
All written comments should be received by the ACEN by Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Nurse Faculty Loan Program
The Nurse Faculty Loan Program was created by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase the number of qualified nurse faculty in the field.
These loans can be used to cover tuition and book expenses. Students awarded NFLP funding may cancel 85% of their loan in return for serving four years as faculty at any accredited school of nursing.
All Courses Taught Online
18-24 Months at a Reasonable Pace
Ideal for the Working Individual
Testimonials
Sandy Sargent
Being an employee at the college and attending school for both my BSN and now my MSN, I have found that it has been an overall enjoyable and rewarding experience. Although I have been in a leadership role for many years, I am learning the theory behind many of the skills I am doing. It is great to be able to put a name to the different processes used to be a successful nurse and nurse manager.The support and availability of the professors and their dedication to my success shows through as does their enthusiasm for the program. They are really wanting every student to succeed.
Nursing Education Outcomes
In addition to the MSN degree outcomes, the graduate of the Nursing Education Program will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional role competencies of nursing education through teaching and learning of advanced practice principles and theories.
- Analyze trends in healthcare and nursing education in the development of nursing curricula, teaching methodologies, and evaluation strategies in the classroom or the clinical education setting.
- Facilitate learning of individuals and groups using theories of education, nursing, testing and evaluation, and technological innovation.
- Use technology to educate and facilitate learning to improve outcomes of all populations.
- Apply leadership strategies in the development of nurse educators.
- Demonstrate competency in evaluating research to improve nursing practice and nursing pedagogy.
- Apply culturally responsive teaching strategies that recognize multicultural factors and support learner development and inclusive learning environments.
Nursing Leadership and Business Management Outcomes
In addition to the MSN degree outcomes, the graduate of the Nursing Leadership and Business Management Program will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical, professional, and accountable leadership through effective communication and relationship‑building practices that foster collaboration within interprofessional healthcare teams.
- Integrate evidence‑based research and data‑driven insights to inform and strengthen clinical and operational decision‑making within healthcare systems.
- Critically analyze and apply relevant theoretical and leadership frameworks to plan, guide, and evaluate the implementation of healthcare initiatives across diverse care environments.
- Demonstrate effective communication, relationship‑building, and systems‑level understanding to lead and influence financial and operational decision‑making within complex healthcare environments.
- Apply financial data and analytic insights to interpret organizational performance and make informed, responsible decisions that support effective healthcare leadership.
- Exhibit reflective leadership practices that strengthen self‑awareness, foster meaningful communication, and promote a culture of safety and quality within complex healthcare systems.
Contact
If you have any additional questions please contact Laurie Parson, (707) 965-7619, ljparson@puc.edu.
Additional Information
- All courses are taught in an asynchronous online format.
- Ideal for the working individual – takes 18-24 month at a reasonable pace to complete.
- Courses are an average of 4-5 credits each – we offer 2-3courses at a time.
- Field experience is required in both emphases by the accreditation body, ACEN. They will be flexible based on your schedule.
- The price for the program is $420/unit
MSN Traditional Entry
For Students With a BS Degree in Nursing
| General Coursework | Units (24) | Term Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Theoretical Foundations of Advanced Nursing | 4 | W |
| Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Research | 4 | S |
| Nursing Technology and Informatics | 4 | F |
| Concepts of in Nursing Leadership | 5 | F / W / S |
| Quality Leadership for Population Health Care | 4 (3 Theory / 1 Field Experience, 20 hrs) | W |
| Choose one of the following courses* | ||
| *Christian Ethics and Patient Care | 3 | S |
| *Integrating Faith and Leadership | 3 | F |
Two Emphases to Choose From
MSN Nursing Education (47 units)
Including General Nursing Coursework of (24 units)
| Nursing Education Coursework | Units (23) | Term Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following courses* | ||
| *Advanced Concepts in Physiology & Pathophysiology | 4 | S |
| *Advanced Health Assessment | 4 | |
| *Advanced Pharmacology | 4 | |
| Nurse Educator I Teaching and Technology Strategies | 5 (3 theory / 2 field experience, 40 hrs) | F |
| Nurse Educator II Curriculum Development | 4 (3 theory / 1 field experience, 20 hrs) | W |
| Nurse Educator III Evaluation Strategies | 4 (3 theory / 1 field experience, 20 hrs) | S |
| Nursing Education Role Field Experience and Capstone (140 hrs. total for all educator courses) |
6 (3 Theory / 3 Practicum) | F / W / S |
MSN Nursing Leadership & Business Management (50 units)
Including General Nursing Coursework of (24 units). Taught by the Nursing & Business Departments
| Nursing Leadership & Business Management Coursework | Units (26) | Term Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning | 4 | S |
| Healthcare Organization Leader & Strat Plan Field Experience | 2 | S |
| Financial and Management Accounting in Health Care | 4 | F |
| Economics and Health Policy | 4 | W |
| Human Resources in Health Care Organizations | 4 | F |
| Human Resource Health Care Organizations Field Experience | 2 | F |
Nursing Leadership Role Practicum & Capstone (60 hours total) |
6 (3 theory, 3 practicum) | F / W / S |