Arizona State University MS Degree in Healthcare Simulation Accelerates Careers to the Next Level

Arizona State University MS Degree in Healthcare Simulation Accelerates Careers to the Next Level

Arizona State University’s Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation program through Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation allows students to be able to discover skills required to be able to harness the power in healthcare simulation. Potential students are encouraged to enroll in the dynamic graduate program at ASU. The Arizona State University’s Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation program inspires learners to employ expert clinical simulation based education decision-making processes and to innovate with new and emerging learning modalities. This article by Erin Carn-Bennett, RN, MSN will explore the Master’s of Science in Healthcare Simulation Program on offer by the Arizona State University.

The Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation Program Description

The degree awarded at completion of this course is a Masters of Science in Health Care Simulation. In the MS program in health care simulation, students are taught a number of skills in order to shape operations and the evaluation of educational health care simulation in a number of different environments which include both academic or clinical based.

Students will learn how to develop and write clinical simulation scenarios from an evidence based design. Technology-enhanced educational environments that are similar to real patient experiences with lifelike high-fidelity computer manikins or simulated participants are common practice for many healthcare simulation centers today. In the ASU MS in healthcare simulation program students are taught how to employ operations techniques in these new and specialized fields of clinical simulation based education.


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At ASU in the MS in healthcare simulation program there are great opportunities to be made with forging connections through adjacent schools within the university which have translatable skills to acquire which are highly relevant to clinical simulation. Through learning and working opportunities with student peers, faculty and leaders in multiple disciplines, for example: health care, sociology, technology, the arts and public policy, students gain experience in the creation of transdisciplinary solutions and the power that this holds in the healthcare simulation environment.

Academic Content in The Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation Program

Clinical simulation in health care education aims to be able to improve competence in communication, teamwork, critical thinking, professional identity and safety. The simulated learning environment, if set up and delivered in a psychologically safe manner, provides a safe and inclusive space where students can make mistakes without risk to real patients. At ASU the MS in healthcare simulation program aims to grow experts and future leaders in the field based on a foundation of these skills which have been acquired in this program.


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In order to be able to provide a psychologically safe learning space for learners to make mistakes without risk to real patients, Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation now offers the Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation program. In a hybrid format, the program is able to focus on educational, operational, and assessment skills required to be able to improve healthcare simulation environments. This Masters program offers interprofessional learners a clinical simulation specialist curriculum that emphasizes simulation theory, operations, safety, and leadership in a foundation of psychological safety.

The course is run through Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation which is located in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. There is also the opportunity to participate in this program online.

Degree requirements 30 credit hours including the required applied project course (HCS 593)

Required Core (3 credit hours)

  • HCS 501 Foundations in Health Care Simulation (3)

Other Requirements (18 credit hours)

  • HCI 540 Understanding and Applying Principles of Evidence-based Practice (3)
  • HCS 502 Health Care Simulation Educational Assessment and Debriefing Methods (3)
  • HCS 503 Principles of Operations Management in Health Care (3)
  • NUR 521 Health Care Evidence, Informatics and Analysis (3)
  • NUR 548 Patient Safety, Health Care Quality and Informatics (3)
  • NUR 671 Teaching in Academic and Practice Settings (3)

Restricted Electives (6 credit hours)

  • BMI 601 Fundamentals of Health Informatics (3)
  • HCI 538 Innovation and the Individual (3)
  • HCI 544 Information Technology (IT) for Health Care Innovation (3)
  • NUR 670 Curriculum Development in Academic and Practice Settings (3)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)

  • HCS 593 Applied Project (3)

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the admission requirements from both the Graduate College of Arizona State University and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Potential students are eligible to apply for the program if the individual has earned either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health care. This can also apply to a related field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants for the Masters of Science in Healthcare Simulation Program require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor’s degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = “A”) in an applicable master’s degree program.

Applicants are also required to submit on application:

  • Graduate admission application
  • Official transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Professional resume
  • Written statement
  • Proof of English proficiency

Career opportunities from Masters of Science in Healthcare Simulation Program

Healthcare professionals with skills in health care simulation are drawn and are able to work in either academic or clinical simulation environments. Some career examples include:

  • Director or Assistant Director of Simulation Center
  • Education Technician Healthcare Simulation Specialist
  • Operations Specialist
  • Healthcare Simulation Education Specialist
  • Healthcare Simulation Manager
  • Healthcare Simulation Nurse Educator

Extended Information About the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation

In 1957, Arizona State University started the School of Nursing with 58 students enrolled. Today, the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation provides a first-class education for over 7000 undergraduate and graduate students. Students completing their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the Edson College have an NCLEX first-time pass rate of 92%, compared to the national average of 89.5%. Both our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees are ranked by U.S. News and World Report as two of the best programs in the nation.

A $25 million gift from the Edson family is helping the Edson College continue its leadership and research capabilities in the areas of cognitive development, dementia and family caregiving. The gift also provides scholarship funds that will enable students to pursue a dual Ph.D./DNP degree that will prepare them as nurse scientists who have both practice and research expertise. Additionally, funding is available for post-doctoral students in Dementia Research and Family Caregiving.

ASU’s Edson College is deeply involved in the region and the community, having long-established partnerships with Mayo Clinic, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, the World Health Organization and many more.

This article has explored Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Master of Science in Healthcare Simulation. Through educational experiences with peers, faculty and leaders from multiple disciplines such as healthcare, sociology, technology, the arts and public policy, learners will gain experience in creating transdisciplinary solutions. This program prepares learners to be part of a clinical simulation team. The development of strategies for experiential education that translates to educational and clinical environments is central to the program and ongoing success in career transitions after completion.


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Erin Carn Bennett Avatar
MSN, RN
Erin Carn-Bennett is a Simulation Nurse Educator for the Douglas Starship Simulation Programme in Auckland, New Zealand. Carn-Bennett has her Masters of Nursing and has an extensive nursing career within pediatric emergency and also nursing management. She is passionate about debriefing and all things simulation. Carn-Bennett is a member of the IPSS board of directors. Carn-Bennett is the lead host of the podcast Sim Nurse NZ.