Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist/Educator Online

  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Ellmer School of Nursing

This program prepares you to be an expert clinician who can apply evidence-based knowledge to nursing interventions, teaching and research. Your course work also will prepare you to serve as a nurse educator, preparing you for both clinical and academic roles. Courses include theory, research, education, adult-gerontology CNS professional and clinical cores, and an advanced practice area with a selected secondary focus.

You must travel to ODU's Virginia Beach campus for scheduled training and/or testing at certain points in the program. An important feature of ODU's CNS program is our collaboration with Eastern Virginia Medical School's (EVMS) Standardized Patient Program. It is one of the largest in the U.S. with more than 115 standardized patients ages 14 to 84. In it, specialized actors provide safe environments where you will learn and refine clinical skills. You will also complete a clinical practicum experience.

ODU's baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This CNS program is approved by the Virginia Joint Boards of Nursing and Medicine.

Traineeship grants may be available to assist with tuition, dependent on grant funding.

Indicates a required field












  • Best Online/Hybrid Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Programs, 2024 - RegisteredNursing.org

  • Most Affordable Online Master's in Nursing Programs, 2024
    Intelligent.com

    • 49/53 credit hours, which includes:
      • Clinical practicum at a physical location
      • Educator internship
      • Hands-on training in Virginia Beach

    In certain courses, you will be required to travel to ODU's Virginia Beach campus (usually once in the semester) for training or testing. The final, demonstrated comprehensive exam must also be completed in Virginia Beach.

    Contact us to determine if you have credits that will transfer.

  • Access course materials online from any location. Some courses have live, online meetings (usually on Thursday mornings), while some courses do not. Instructors also may schedule assignments, office hours, and exams at specific times. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

    Clinical practicums are completed at a physical location and are negotiated on an individual basis.

    In certain courses, you will be required to visit ODU's Virginia Beach campus (usually only once in the semester) for training and/or testing with standardized patients or simulation instruction. The final, demonstrated comprehensive exam also must be completed in Virginia Beach.

  • In-state Virginia Residents
    $620 per credit hour*
    Out-of-state Students
    $642 per credit hour

    Rates are effective Fall 2024 and subject to change.
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

  • Scholarship Opportunities

    Healthcare Heroes: This scholarship lifts students who will support others’ health by entering practitioner-based health care programs or disciplines that promote community and global health practices. Recipients are awarded $1,000 for the first semester of enrollment.
    Learn more about the Healthcare Heroes Scholarship

This program prepares you for career opportunities in: 

  • Clinical Leadership
  • Educational Leadership
  • Administration
  • Public or Military Health Care
  • Public Policy 
  • Research 

Use the links here to see if we have determined whether this program will prepare you for nursing certification or licensure in your state.

We encourage you to check your state's professional nursing or nurse educator requirements before applying to ODU.

You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.

  • In addition to meeting University requirements for graduate admission, you must hold a current license as a registered nurse and have an undergraduate degree in nursing from a NLNAC OR CCNE accredited program (preferred) or a bachelor's degree in a related field. You must be accepted as a degree-seeking student in order to register for nursing courses.