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Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education

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Train the Next Generation of Nursing Professionals

Dual Credit Offered with MSN

150 Clinical Hours

Meets NCBON Requirements

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If you’d like to learn more about Methodist University’s application process, admissions requirements, tuition and financial aid or specific program details, fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch shortly.

  • Duration 1 year
  • Cost per Credit $545
  • Credit Hours 12

Program Benefits

  • Full- and part-time scheduling
  • Eight-week terms
  • Six start dates per year
  • Asynchronous format
  • No application fee

Earn a Specialized Nursing Education Credential in Just One Year

Advance your nursing career and transition to educator roles in health care organizations and undergraduate nursing schools. Methodist University’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education online program explores topics like education theory, assessment, and curriculum development. A BSN is required for admission.

In this 12-credit hour program, you will complete 150 practicum hours relevant to your professional interests and prepare to teach in a variety of health care and academic settings, depending on your degree level. Because nine credit hours can count as dual credit toward our MSN: Administrative Leadership degree, this program sets you up for continuing education and long-term professional success.

The flexible, asynchronous curriculum can be completed in one year and meets teaching and learning requirements for nursing faculty in North Carolina as regulated by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Upon program completion, students who have a master’s degree can pursue nurse educator certification through the National League for Nursing.

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Graduate Nursing Programs

Hear from MU faculty and discover how our graduate nursing programs will prepare you for the next step in your nursing career. 

Meet the Demand for Qualified Nurse Educators

Nurse educators are needed in academic contexts and health care organizations across the country to address the ongoing nurse shortage. In fact, there were approximately 1,492 vacant nursing faculty positions in 2020.1 Earning the online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education can prepare you to expand your skills, teach in a variety of health care settings, and fill these essential roles.

After completing your program, you will be qualified for positions ranging from staff development coordinator to undergraduate classroom instructor, depending on your degree level. Job growth for training and development managers is projected to increase 11% through 2030, faster than the national average for all occupations.2

Careers and Salaries

Study the Theory and Practice of Nursing Education

12 credit hours

150 clinical hours

The online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education program is designed to fulfill teaching and learning requirements for nursing faculty in North Carolina as regulated by the state board of nursing. Up to nine credit hours may count as dual credit toward our online MSN: Administrative Leadership degree, giving you the chance to earn a second valuable credential at a lower cost.

When you complete your program, you’ll have the skills required to teach other nurses in the field in areas such as clinical practice, nurse education, or staff development. Students who have a master’s degree can pursue nurse education certification through the National League for Nursing.

Explore Curriculum

Start Your Application Today

No GRE/GMAT

No work experience required

Free to apply

To apply for the online Graduate Nursing Education Certificate program, submit a completed online application, official transcripts, personal statement, and copy of your CV or resume. Our online program is available to students who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a GPA of at least 2.75.

View the Application Process

Earn a Valuable Credential at an Affordable Price

$6,000 total tuition

$545 per credit hour

At Methodist University, we are dedicated to making your education as affordable as possible. If you or a family member are a veteran or active-duty service member, visit our Military Support page to explore the benefits available to you.

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What You’ll Learn

In this program, you will build theoretical and practical skills to educate nurses and nursing students in health care and academic contexts. Upon program completion, students who have a master’s degree can pursue nurse educator certification through the National League for Nursing.

Program Outcomes

After completing the online Graduate Nursing Education Certificate, you will be able to:

  • Fill the role of nurse educator in clinical and academic settings.
  • Integrate principles of teaching and learning in the role of the nurse as an educator.
  • Create evidence-based assessment and evaluation strategies for diverse learners in a variety of settings.
  • Apply principles of nursing education in curriculum development and evaluation.

Faculty Spotlight

Cheryl Bearringer, DNP, RN, CNE

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF NURSING

Dr. Bearringer began her nursing career approximately 30 years ago, first as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), then earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN-RN), advancing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and ultimately graduating from George Washington University with an MSN-Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP).

Dr. Bearringer later returned to George Washington University in 2014 to complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), including a major in nursing education. She is nationally certified by the National League of Nursing (NLN) as a Certified Nurse Educator.

Dr. Bearringer’s clinical experience includes working as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurse, a local and regional case manager for an international healthcare organization, a hospital cardiovascular case manager, rounding for cardiothoracic surgeons, and later specializing in nephrology working both as an RN and a Nurse Practitioner.

Her special interests in nursing education include acute and chronic diseases, holistic nursing care approach, active learning strategies, cognitive science research in health care education, testing and evaluation research, and inter-professional simulation clinical experiences, including local and state presentations on immersive active learning strategies using simulation experiences.

Learn from Nursing Experts

Our online nursing education courses are taught by experienced instructors who come from diverse academic backgrounds. They bring a range of specialties and teaching styles to the classroom to prepare you for success. Faculty will also oversee all of your coursework and practicum experiences to provide support and mentorship as you complete your studies.

  • Personalized attention
  • Industry connections
  • Real-world experience
  • Low student-to-faculty ratios

Why Study Online?

Enjoy an online learning environment that offers the same quality as in-person courses, including dedicated faculty members and an overall caring, friendly atmosphere for achieving your professional and personal goals.

You’ll also have access to all of MU’s academic support services. That means you’ll get personalized assistance you need, such as access to the tutoring and writing centers. Experience a distinctive education in a flexible environment that fits your schedule.

Explore Online Learning

Financial Aid

You can earn a high-quality education from a private institution without worrying about the cost. As a Yellow Ribbon school and a university where 97% of students qualify for financial aid, Methodist is committed to affordability.

Learn more about federal student loans and grants, military benefits, and scholarship opportunities. We’re proud to make your goals as affordable as possible.

Financial Aid Options

Frequently Asked Questions

Have other questions not answered here? Request more information or call 910-212-4956.

You can complete this program in as little as two years. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.

Tuition is $545 per credit hour. You’ll need to complete 12 credit hours for an estimated total of $6,540, not including financial aid. You can review all tuition costs on the tuition page.

*This is an estimate of the total tuition based on the current school year and is subject to change.

This program fulfills teaching and learning requirements for nursing faculty in North Carolina as regulated by the NCBON. The Graduate Nursing Education Certificate does not require CCNE accreditation.

The first step is to start your application.

Admission requirements include a BSN degree, official transcripts, a personal statement, resume or CV, and a GPA of at least 2.75. You can learn more on the admissions page.

You’ll complete five courses to earn the Graduate Nursing Education Certificate. You can learn more about coursework on the curriculum page.

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