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Why ODU for 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.

* Note: This program is not available in the state of Washington.

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Ranked #1

Best Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Programs, 2021
- RegisteredNursing.org

Ranked #58 (tie)

Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs, 2023
U.S. News & World Report

Ranked #15

Best Online Master's in Nursing for Veterans, 2023
U.S. News & World Report

Required Courses

  • 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.

Online Learning Environment

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.

Careers in Nursing - Adult-Gerontology

This program prepares you for career opportunities in: 

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

Calculating Cost

  • In-state Virginia Residents$571 per credit hour*
  • Out-of-state Students$595 per credit hour

Rates are effective Summer 2022 and subject to change.
* In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

State Licensure

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.

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How to Apply

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.

Meet Your Team

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

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