CSU Dominguez Hills- Online MSN Education

[Syane, MSN, RN]

Hello,

I am looking into going back to school. I want my MSN in Education. I want an online program but want a school that picks your teaching sites for you when you have to do your clinical hours. I have looked into Grand Canyon University but am undecided since I want a school that is based in California. But I also want a school that I can get done fast! I looked into Cal State Fullerton as well, and their program is not online, they do offer some classes online but I would have to go to campus 2 times a week. I don't want to have to spend too much money either! But am willing to pay if the experience is good. CSU Dominguez Hills is attractive because it is not too far away if I do have to go to campus for whatever reason (I live in Riverside, CA). If you went through their program, particularly the MSN Education could you please share your experience or some insight. Thank you!

[DrAres]

syane45 -

I suggest you contact the School of Nursing and ask to be connected with the advisor for the Education track. The advisor can likely connect you with a few current students in the program so you can get the student persepctive. This is the approach I used when checking out PhD programs and I feel that I avoided one problem program with the student's insight.

In the spirit of full disclosure - I teach at CSUDH. We've had some terrific Nurse Educator students in the past several years that were recruited by ADN programs before graduation. We consistently get feedback from ADN programs in the So Cal area that our graduates are better that those from certain private schools because they come with the knowledge and skills to "hit the ground running." Also of note, some of the private schools have no clinical (student teaching) or minimal hours. Some post-master's applicants have told me that they couldn't get hired as faculty because the ADN program wanted more instructional experience (often classroom management) along with strong clinical skills.

[Knotanoonurse]

I did the CNS program. I live in another state. My clinical/practicum requirements were a little different. One of the facilities I had to deal with was a problem, but that was the hospital not the school. CSUDH was great in terms of the online classes. We had a virtual meeting to kick off the first course. I had to go to CA for the physical assessment course, but it was not a big hassle. There were some of us from far away, but many from the area. As I recall, a lot of people were from Orange County. There were a lot of FNP students, but also many CNS and educators. No one who was in the area was having troubles with finding clinical sites in my group. I also think having to be knowledgeable about physical assessment is very valuable for an educator. I do not think every MSN educator program requires physical assessment. As a graduate, I can say I was happy with the program. Also since you are a CA resident, the cost is probably better than some of the schools who are for profit or private. All the best to you.