Nursing Education, Ed.D. (Ed.S. or ABD to Ed.D. Pathway)

Program Description

Individuals who have completed an Ed.S. degree or have completed all doctoral coursework but not completed the dissertation (ABD) are eligible for this pathway. The courses listed are to be completed at ACE to earn an Ed.D. in Nursing Education. A total of 37 semester credits are required in the course list.

The Doctorate in Nursing Education (Ed.D.) is designed for nurses with a master’s degree who want to become nurse educators in either the academic or professional development arenas. The degree equips the nurse educator with the necessary competencies to create and evaluate curriculum, manage classrooms, develop effective teaching strategies, conduct program evaluation, and utilize innovative technology to educate the next generation of nurses. Using a unique interdisciplinary approach, the program focuses on the science of teaching and learning for the Nurse Educator. Students will engage in scholarly research throughout the coursework to support their final dissertation.

Program Outcomes

1. Integrates theoretical frameworks from nursing, higher education, and related disciplines to design transformational nursing education and inform the role of the nurse educator.
2. Demonstrate expertise in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of innovative nursing curriculum to improve nursing education and reflect trends in higher education, healthcare, and nursing practice.
3. Combine expert knowledge of ethical, social, global, cultural, political, and economic issues affecting nursing education to provide innovative educational leadership.
4. Provide visionary leadership to effect change in nursing education through adoption of a servant leadership mind-set and service to the profession. 
5. Create a collaborative culture and function as a member of the community of scholars. 
6. Foster collaboration across and between disciplines to enhance interprofessional partnerships in clinical practice and education.
7. Summarizes resources needed related to the effective development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing education.
8. Role model professional expertise and the value of lifelong learning in the role of nurse educator and educational leader.
9. Contribute to the advancement of the science of nursing education through intellectual inquiry, dissemination, and creative scholarship. 
10. Analyze and promote best practices in leadership.
11. Demonstrate competence in the application of multiple research methods.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Ed.D. in Nursing Education is to provide a research intensive, evidenced-based approach to nursing education. Students will be given the tools to transform nursing education by becoming exceptional educators and leaders who use forward-thinking, evidence-based innovation, and collaboration to transform organizations and systems within a global society.