Rasmussen College Offers Its First Graduate Degree Program

New Master of Science in Nursing program to help address nursing leaders and faculty shortage

News provided by

Oct 20, 2016, 10:19 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rasmussen College, a regionally accredited private college, today launched its first graduate degree program, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)¹. The online master's degree program is designed to meet the increasing need for a more skilled and educated workforce, including nurse leaders and nurse educators. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, nearly 70,000 qualified nursing candidates were turned away from college nursing programs due to an insufficient number of faculty in 2014.

For 116 years, Rasmussen College has graduated students with skills and credentials that help address changing needs of the workforce and its communities. Occupations requiring master's degrees are projected to grow 18.4 percent through 2022, and of the 448,500 jobs projected to require a master's degree, 255,000 are within the healthcare and social assistance fields.

"Our first master's degree program is an evolution of the College's longstanding commitment to our students, communities and employers," said Dr. Trenda Boyum-Breen, Rasmussen College president. "We have successfully built a robust culture of baccalaureate education over the past ten years and now is the right time to build on that success. Addressing career advancement and community needs that require a higher level of education and skills helps students thrive in today's 21st century workforce and positions them well as future leaders."

Rasmussen College MSN to Help Advance Nursing Profession
The Rasmussen College Master of Science in Nursing degree program is designed to prepare currently licensed registered nurses (RNs) who hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing to assume advanced nursing leadership roles and directly contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession in both educational and healthcare settings. Students have the opportunity to choose from two specializations: Nurse Educator or Nursing Leadership and Administration.

The innovative and progressive curriculum helps students unleash their potential and thrive as dynamic leaders in healthcare and educational settings. Content will range from budgeting, scheduling and administration to instructional techniques, curriculum design and innovative teaching and assessment strategies. Classes will include interactive learning as well as collaboration among peers and faculty that aligns with the evolving healthcare and education environments of today. The online environment and ability to take one class at a time also supports balance between school, work and family for nurses already in the field while still allowing them to graduate in a few as 18 months².

"Our first cohort of MSN students will be prepared to impact the current and future state of the healthcare industry," said Dr. Joan Rich, vice president of the Rasmussen College School of Nursing. "Students will graduate from our program with the confidence to be at the forefront of change and innovation for the nursing profession, nursing education and the communities we serve."

Interested, licensed RNs can begin enrolling in the program immediately with courses starting in January. To learn more about the Rasmussen College Master of Science in Nursing degree program, visit http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/master-science-nursing/.

¹The Rasmussen College MSN degree program is not available to residents of all states. Please speak with a program manager to determine enrollment eligibility.

²Completion time is dependent on transfer credits accepted and courses completed each term.

ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE:
Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited private college and Public Benefit Corporation that is dedicated to changing lives through high-demand educational programs and public service. In addition to this new program, Rasmussen College offers certificate and diploma programs through associate's and bachelor's degrees online and across its 22 Midwest and Florida campuses in a supportive, student-centered and career-focused environment. Since 1900, Rasmussen College has been dedicated to being a primary contributor to the growth and development of the communities it serves. As a Public Benefit Corporation, Rasmussen College is committed to helping change lives through education and making a positive impact on society through public service and a variety of community-based initiatives. For more information about Rasmussen College, please visit www.rasmussen.edu.