Post-Master’s Nursing Education Certificate Programs
Master's-prepared nurses have many opportunities to advance and expand their clinical knowledge base. They can either pursue a doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP) or opt to complete a post-master's certificate program. In doing so, they can add to their current clinical practice or change specialties entirely.
With the post-master's nursing education option, nurses are not limited to direct patient care. They can work as a nurse educator for staff as well as patients, and utilize their skills as an educator to enhance their current practice.
Choosing a Post-Master's Nursing Education Certificate Program
When selecting a post-master's nursing education certificate program, several facets need to be considered:
- Accreditation- In most states, nursing boards require completion of an accredited nursing program to become licensed. Many local agencies accredit nursing programs, but most often students will see accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Accreditation by one of these two agencies ensures that specific educational standards are met to practice safely.
- Cost- The overall cost to attend a post-master's certificate program is probably one of the most important factors when choosing a school. There are many variables when it comes to tuition cost: resident status, city and state where the school is located, and whether the school is a public or private program can all contribute to the overall cost. Students should remember that there are additional university fees, technology fees, and other expenses outside of the cost of tuition. Luckily, most programs have financial aid options as well as a part-time curriculum which can help offset the cost.
- Program Length- The length of time to complete a post-master's nursing education certificate program can vary, depending on the nurse's starting point. For example, the program will be shorter for those who have already completed an advanced health assessment, physiology, and pharmacology course. Students should be aware that some schools advertise "faster completion" compared to other programs; students should always ensure proper curriculum as well as accreditation status before selecting one of those programs.
- Online Options- Many nurses prefer the flexibility of online learning. They can study when they can and learn at their own pace. More and more nursing programs, including post-master's nursing education certificate programs, offer online or hybrid options. Some programs require minimal campus visits, and some are 100% online. Most schools are very transparent on their websites with campus visitation requirements.
- Internship/Externship Opportunities- Many nursing programs are contracted with local healthcare facilities/offices so students can gain valuable (and necessary) clinical experience. Depending on the course of study, students should select a program that contracts with a facility that supports their specialty. For example, a student pursuing a post-master's nursing education certificate program may prefer to gain clinical experience in a teaching hospital or nursing school. However, some programs have the students find their own preceptor in a clinical setting. Students would need to find local candidates to serve as mentors in their field of study.
Online Post-Master's Nursing Education Certificate Programs
The computer age has helped open many doors for students, and nursing is no exception. More and more online programs are available which allow nurses to pursue a higher degree level. Online programs have many benefits, but may also have drawbacks.
Online vs. Classroom-Based Post Master's Nursing Education Certificate Programs
One of the most important advantages of an online post-master's certificate in nursing education is flexibility. Many nurses and nurse practitioners work all hours, or even around the clock! Because nurses can work odd hours, online programs are ideal. Nurses can study in the middle of the night, early morning, holidays, or whenever they can fit it in. Not only that, but they can learn at their own pace and by using their learning style. This, in turn, can lead to more success.
One of the disadvantages of online programs is the lack of face-to-face communication with instructors and peers. While communication is usually electronic, many students miss the personalized interaction that comes with campus learning. Additionally, there may be added costs associated with online learning. Students may need to invest in a laptop, webcam, and other items. With regards to learning, some students struggle with the reduced amount of structure that comes with classroom learning. In this case, "self-paced learning" may lead to procrastination or missed assignments.
Post-Master's Certificate Nursing Education Admission Requirements
Each post-master's certificate program has its own specific admission requirements. General admission requirements may include:
- An MSN degree from an accredited university
- Current, unencumbered RN or APRN license (if applicable)
- GPA of 3.0 or higher (specific GPA requirements may vary between schools)
- Current resume/CV
- A written statement of purpose, or goal statement
- Have completed a specific number of clinical practice hours
Post-Master's Certificate Nursing Education Curriculum
As with any nursing program, the curriculum for a post-master's certificate nursing education program may vary slightly between schools. The curriculum may include courses in:
- Foundations in nursing education
- Designing curriculums
- Teaching strategies
- Assessment and evaluation
- Advanced clinical practice as an educator
- Leadership
- Evidenced-based research
- Advanced physiology, pharmacology, and health assessment (if not already completed in a master's degree program)
In addition to the above courses, students enrolled in the post-master's nursing education certificate program must also complete a specific number of clinical practicum hours. This ensures students can apply nursing education theory to practice and allows them to gain valuable knowledge and real-world experience to practice independently.
Helpful Resources
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- National League for Nursing
- Professional Nurse Educator Group
Other Degree Programs
List of Post Master's Certificate Nurse Education Programs
Select Your State:
Alabama
School | Contact Information |
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University of Alabama Huntsville Graduate Certificate Programs | 301 Sparkman Drive Huntsville, AL 35899 (256) 824-1000 |
Alaska
School | Contact Information |
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University of Alaska Anchorage Graduate Certificate Programs | 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 (907) 786-4406 |
Arizona
School | Contact Information |
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Arizona State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 411 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85004 (480) 965-7788 |
Grand Canyon University Graduate Certificate Programs | 3300 West Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85017 (855) 428-5673 |
University of Phoenix Graduate Certificate Programs | 1625 W. Fountainhead Pkwy Tempe, AZ 85282 (866) 484-1831 |
Arkansas
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Arkansas State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 104 North Caraway Rd Jonesboro, AR 72401 (870) 972-3112 |
California
School | Contact Information |
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Cal State LA Graduate Certificate Programs | 5151 State University Drive Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 343-3000 |
California State University Dominguez Hills Graduate Certificate Programs | 1000 E. Victoria Street Carson, CA 90747 (310) 243-3696 |
UC Davis Graduate Certificate Programs | 4610 X Street Suite 4202 Sacramento, CA 95817 (916) 734-2145 |
Colorado
School | Contact Information |
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University of Northern Colorado Graduate Certificate Programs | 501 20 ST. Greeley, CO 80639 (970) 351-1890 |
Connecticut
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Southern Connecticut State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 501 Crescent Street New Haven, CT 06515 (203) 392-7278 |
Delaware
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Wesley University Graduate Certificate Programs | 120 North State Street Dover, DE 19901 (302) 736-2300 |
Florida
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Central Florida Graduate Certificate Programs
| 12201 Research Parkway, Suite 300 Orlando, FL 32826 (407) 823-2744 |
Georgia
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Columbus State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 4225 University Avenue Columbus, GA 31907 (706) 507-8800 |
Georgia College Graduate Certificate Programs | 231 W. Hancock St. Milledgeville, GA 31061 (800) 342-0471 |
Georgia Southern University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1332 Southern Drive Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 478-4636 |
Georgia Southwestern State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 800 Georgia Southwestern State University Drive Americus, GA 31709 (877) 871-4594 |
Illinois
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Lewis University Graduate Certificate Programs | One University Parkway Romeoville, IL 60446 (815) 838-0500 |
Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs
| 511 NE Greenleaf Street Peoria, IL 61603 (309) 655-2201 |
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1 Hairpin Dr Edwardsville, IL 62025 (888) 328-5168 |
University of St. Francis Graduate Certificate Programs | 500 Wilcox St. Joliet, IL 60435 (800) 735-7500 |
Indiana
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Indiana State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 200 North Seventh Street Terre Haute, IN 47809 (800) 468-6478 |
Purdue University Northwest Graduate Certificate Programs | 2200 169th Street Hammond, IN 46323 (219) 989-2400 |
University of Southern Indiana Graduate Certificate Programs
| 8600 University Blvd. Evansville, IN 47712 (812) 464-8600 |
Iowa
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Clarke University Graduate Certificate Programs | 1550 Clarke Drive Dubuque, IA 52001 (888) 825-2753 |
Graceland University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1 University Place Lamoni, IA 50140 (641) 784-5000 |
Kansas
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Fort Hays State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 600 Park Street Hays, KS 67601 (785) 628-3478 |
Kentucky
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Western Kentucky University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1906 College Heights Blvd Bowling Green, KY 42101 (270) 745-0111 |
Maine
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Maine Graduate Certificate Programs
| 5724 Dunn Hall Orono, ME 04469-5724 (207) 581-2592 |
Maryland
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Johns Hopkins University Graduate Certificate Programs | 525 N. Wolfe Street Baltimore, MD 21205 (410) 955-4766 |
Massachusetts
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Elms College Graduate Certificate Programs | 291 Springfield Street Chicopee, MA 01013 (413) 594-2761 |
Endicott College Graduate Certificate Programs | 376 Hale Street Beverly, MA 01915 (197) 892-7058 x5 |
University of Massachusetts Amherst Graduate Certificate Programs | 651 North Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01003 (413) 545-2703 |
Worcester State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 486 Chandler St Worcester, MA 01602 (508) 929-8000 |
Michigan
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Ferris State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 200 Ferris Drive Big Rapids, MI 49307 (231) 591-2270 |
Saginaw Valley State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 7400 Bay Road University Center, MI 48710 (989) 964-4000 |
Wayne State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 5557 Cass Avenue Detroit, MI 48202 (313) 577-4082 |
Minnesota
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Minnesota State University Moorhead Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1104 7th Avenue South Moorhead, MN 56563 (180) 059-3724 x6 |
Winona State University Rochester Graduate Certificate Programs
| 859 30th Ave SE Rochester, MN 55904 (507) 285-7100 |
Mississippi
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Delta State University Graduate Certificate Programs | Highway 8 West Cleveland, MS 38733 (180) 046-8637 x8 |
Missouri
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Barnes Jewish College Graduate Certificate Programs
| 4483 Duncan Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110 (314) 454-7055 |
Missouri State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 901 S National Ave Springfield, MO 65897 (417) 836-5000 |
Montana
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Montana State University Graduate Certificate Programs | P.O. Box 173560 Bozeman, MT 59717 (406) 994-3783 |
Nebraska
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Bryan College of Health Sciences Graduate Certificate Programs | 5035 Everett Street Lincoln, NE 68506 (402) 481-3801 |
Clarkson College Graduate Certificate Programs
| 101 S. 42 Street Omaha, NE 68131 (402) 552-3100 |
Nebraska Wesleyan University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 5000 Saint Paul Avenue Lincoln, NE 68504 (402) 465-2329 |
Nevada
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Nevada, Las Vegas Graduate Certificate Programs
| 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89154 (702) 895-3011 |
University of Nevada, Reno Graduate Certificate Programs | 1664 N. Virginia Street Reno, NV 89557 (775) 784-1110 |
New Hampshire
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Rivier University Graduate Certificate Programs | 420 South Main Street Nashua, NH 03060 (603) 888-1311 |
New Jersey
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Fairleigh Dickinson University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1000 River Rd Teaneck, NJ 07666 (201) 692-2000 |
Thomas Edison State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 111 W State St Trenton, NJ 08608 (888) 442-8372 |
New York
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Adelphi University Graduate Certificate Programs
| One South Ave, P.O. Box 701 Garden City, NY 11530 (800) 233-5744 |
Binghamton University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 4400 Vestal Parkway East Binghamton, NY 13902 (607) 777-2000 |
D'Youville College Graduate Certificate Programs | 320 Porter Avenue Buffalo, NY 14201 (716) 829-8000 |
Daemen College Graduate Certificate Programs | 4380 Main Street Amherst, NY 14226 (800) 462-7652 |
Le Moyne College Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1419 Salt Springs Road Syracuse, NY 13214 (315) 445-4100 |
Mount Saint Mary College Graduate Certificate Programs | 330 Powell Ave. Newburgh, NY 12550 (845) 561-0800 |
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs
| 433 First Avenue New York, NY 10010 (212) 998-5300 |
Stony Brook University Graduate Certificate Programs | 101 Nicolls Road Stony Brook, NY 11794 (631) 689-8333 |
SUNY Polytechnic Institute Graduate Certificate Programs | 100 Seymour Rd Utica, NY 13502 (315) 792-7500 |
North Carolina
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
East Carolina University Graduate Certificate Programs
| East Fifth Street Greenville, NC 27858 (252) 328-6131 |
Gardner-Webb University Graduate Certificate Programs | 110 S. Main St., P.O. Box 997 Boiling Springs, NC 28017 (704) 406-4000 |
The University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Graduate Certificate Programs
| Carrington Hall Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (919) 962-2211 |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Graduate Certificate Programs
| 9201 University City Blvd Charlotte, NC 28223 (704) 687-8622 |
Western Carolina University Graduate Certificate Programs | 1 University Way Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 227-7211 |
Ohio
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Capital University Graduate Certificate Programs | 1 College Ave Columbus, OH 43209 (614) 236-6011 |
Case Western Reserve University Graduate Certificate Programs | 10900 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44106 (216) 368-2000 |
Kent State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1375 University Esplanade Kent, OH 44242 (330) 672-7930 |
Lourdes University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 6832 Convent Blvd. Sylvania, OH 43560 (800) 878-3210 |
Mount Carmel College of Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs
| 127 S Davis Ave Columbus, OH 43222 (614) 234-5800 |
Ohio University Graduate Certificate Programs | Athens, OH 45701 (740) 593-1000 |
Otterbein University Graduate Certificate Programs | 1 South Grove Street Westerville, OH 43081 (614) 890-3000 |
The University of Akron Graduate Certificate Programs | 302 E Buchtel Ave Akron, OH 44325 (330) 972-7111 |
The University of Toledo Graduate Certificate Programs | 2801 W. Bancroft Toledo, OH 43606 (800) 586-5336 |
University of Cincinnati Graduate Certificate Programs | 2600 Clifton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45220 (151) 355-8550 x0 |
Walsh University Graduate Certificate Programs | 2020 East Maple Street North Canton, OH 44720 (330) 490-7090 |
Wright State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy Dayton, OH 45431 (937) 775-3333 |
Youngstown State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1 University Plaza Youngstown, OH 44555 (330) 941-3000 |
Oklahoma
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1100 N Stonewall Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73117 (405) 271-2428 |
Oregon
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Oregon Health and Science University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Rd. Portland, OR 97239 (503) 494-8311 |
Pennsylvania
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
California University of Pennsylvania Graduate Certificate Programs | 250 University Avenue California, PA 15419 (172) 493-8412 x9 |
DeSales University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 2755 Station Ave. Center Valley, PA 18034 (610) 282-1100 x2838 |
La Salle University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1900 West Olney Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19141 (215) 951-1000 |
Messiah College Graduate Certificate Programs | One College Avenue Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 766-2511 |
South Carolina
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Charleston Southern University Graduate Certificate Programs | 9200 University Boulevard Charleston, SC 29406 (843) 863-7000 |
Francis Marion University Graduate Certificate Programs
| PO Box 100547 Florence, SC 29502 (800) 368-7551 |
South Dakota
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
South Dakota State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1004 Campanile Dr Brookings, SD 57007 (605) 688-4114 |
Tennessee
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Austin Peay State University Graduate Certificate Programs | P.O. Box 4458 Clarksville, TN 37044 (931) 221-7662 |
East Tennessee State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 365 Stout Drive Johnson City, TN 37614 (423) 439-4578 |
King University Graduate Certificate Programs | 1350 King College Road Bristol, TN 37620 (800) 362-0014 |
Tennessee Tech University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1 William L Jones Dr Cookeville, TN 38505 (931) 372-3101 |
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Graduate Certificate Programs | 615 McCallie Ave Chattanooga, TN 37403 (423) 425-4416 |
Union University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1050 Union University Drive Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 661-6545 |
University of Memphis Graduate Certificate Programs | 101 Wilder Tower Memphis, TN 38152 (190) 167-8200 x3 |
Texas
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Angelo State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 2601 W. Avenue N San Angelo, TX 76909 (180) 094-6862 x7 |
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Graduate Certificate Programs | 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5774 Corpus Christi, TX 78412 (361) 825-2753 |
Texas Christian University Graduate Certificate Programs | 2800 S University Dr Fort Worth, TX 76129 (817) 257-7000 |
Texas Tech University Graduate Certificate Programs | 3601 4th St. Lubbock, TX 79430 (806) 743-2730 |
Texas Woman's University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 304 Administration Dr. Denton, TX 76204 (940) 898-2000 |
The University of Texas at Tyler Graduate Certificate Programs
| 3900 University Blvd Tyler, TX 75799 (903) 566-7000 |
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Graduate Certificate Programs
| 301 University Blvd Galveston, TX 77555 (409) 772-1011 |
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio - UT Health San Antonio Graduate Certificate Programs | 7703 Floyd Curl Dr San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 567-7000 |
Utah
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
University of Utah Graduate Certificate Programs | 10 South 2000 East Salt Lake City, UT 84112 (801) 581-3414 |
Weber State University Graduate Certificate Programs | 3848 Harrison Blvd Ogden, UT 84408 (801) 626-6000 |
Virginia
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
George Mason University Graduate Certificate Programs | 4400 University Dr Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 993-1000 |
Old Dominion University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 5115 Hampton Blvd Norfolk, VA 23529 (757) 683-3000 |
Washington
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Washington State University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 1815 Wilson Rd Pullman, WA 99164 (509) 335-3564 |
Washington State University Vancouver Graduate Certificate Programs
| 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave Vancouver, WA 98686 (360) 546-9788 |
Washington, DC
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
The George Washington University Graduate Certificate Programs | 2121 I St NW Washington, DC 20052 (202) 994-1000 |
Wisconsin
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Concordia Wisconsin Campus Graduate Certificate Programs
| 12800 N Lake Shore Drive Mequon, WI 53097 (262) 243-5700 |
Marian University Graduate Certificate Programs
| 45 S National Ave Fond du Lac, WI 54935 (920) 923-7600 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate Certificate Programs
| 702 West Johnson Street. Suite 1101 Madison, WI 53715 (608) 263-2400 |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Graduate Certificate Programs | 800 Algoma Blvd Oshkosh, WI 54901 (920) 424-1234 |
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