Nurse Educator Certificate

UMass Boston’s Nurse Educator Certificate is designed to meet the needs of nurses who are considering educator roles in academic, clinical education, or nursing practice settings. The curriculum is aligned with required educator competencies for those who may be interested in national certification as an academic nurse educator, clinical educator, or professional development nurse educator.

This 12-credit certificate program offers online asynchronous courses that address contemporary teaching and learning practices. It's designed to be fully online, providing an accessible, flexible option for working professionals. Course offerings include evidence-based teaching practices, academic nurse educator development, clinical educator development in academic settings, and nurse educator professional development in practice settings. Students can take optional individualized, precepted practicum experiences in academic and clinical practice settings within the three elective clinical courses.

Tuition

• The program consists of four 3-credit courses, or 12 credits.
• Online tuition is $600 per credit.
• Total estimated tuition cost to complete the 12-credit option is $7,200.*
• College of Nursing Fee per semester is $700/Fall & Spring, $350/Summer & Winter.

* Estimate is based on completing the program by minimum duration. Other fees may apply. Request Info to connect with a program representative for further details.

Deadline

Applications to start in the fall are due by July 1

Application Checklist

• Completed online application form
• Goal statement
• Official transcripts from all schools attended (BS degree or higher in nursing from accredited college or university required)
• GPA 3.0 or higher
• 1 Letter of recommendation (preferably professional)
• Submit evidence of current nursing license

Required Courses:

• Evidence-Based Teaching Practices (NURSNG607)
  This course is designed to teach current and aspiring nurse educators foundational knowledge for effective teaching and learning practices. It explores current conceptual frameworks, theories, and evidence-based pedagogical practices within the nursing education discipline. Practical application of key concepts for culturally inclusive teaching in varied learning environments is particularly emphasized.
• The Nurse Educator in the Academic Setting (NURSNG608)
  The course focuses on expected advanced teaching skills for nurse educators to help you acquire the knowledge, skills, and values required for professional nursing practice. Sessions focus on the role of the academic nurse educator, classroom teaching skills, curriculum development, and methods for evaluating learning. A clinical practicum experience, precepted by an expert academic nurse educator, is offered as an optional learning experience.
• The Nurse Educator in the Practice Setting (NURSNG609)
  In this course, you’ll acquire the advanced teaching skills required to meet the health-related learning needs of patients, families, and groups in clinical practice and community settings. You’ll also learn about educating practicing nurses, nursing staff, and interprofessional healthcare team members to meet population needs and healthcare outcomes more effectively. Sessions focus on the pedagogy supporting the work of nurse educators in nursing professional development and as interprofessional healthcare team members. Students develop educational interventions and programs using a variety of teaching and learning strategies. A clinical practicum experience, precepted by a nurse educator in a practice setting, is offered as an optional learning experience.
• Transition from Nurse Clinician to Clinical Educator (NURSNG612)
  This course is designed to assist the learner, as a current or aspiring nurse educator, in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for effective clinical teaching and learning practices. You'll explore the transition from clinician to educator and the multiple roles of the nurse educator in clinical and lab settings. The course examines creative and innovative strategies to support and guide the student’s development. The use of simulation, critical thinking, and reflective practice skills and varying types of clinical instruction are explored.

At the end of this one year program, you’ll be awarded a Nurse Educator Certificate and may be eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing's Certified Nurse Educator exam. The certificate will demonstrate your expertise in the field on your résumé, as well as in interviews and workplace evaluations. Apply the skills learned in the program to get nationally certified as an academic nurse educator, clinical educator, or professional development nurse educator.