Nursing Education Certificate (NEC)

Why Choose the Nursing Education Certificate?

This 16-credit, fully online graduate certificate provides a theoretical and practical foundation in nursing education. It is designed for bachelor, master, or doctoral prepared nurses who wish to assume the role of nursing faculty in an associate or baccalaureate degree nursing program or the role of a staff educator in a healthcare organization. The certificate is also ideal for nurses prepared at the graduate level (MSN or doctoral) in another area of nursing practice or specialty who would like to enhance their skill and attain the specialized knowledge required of the nurse educator role. This certificate provides students the essential skills vital to the nurse educator role.

The certificate can also be the first step toward the MSN degree, thus providing a ladder into graduate programming for bachelor prepared nurses. Nine of the 16 credits required for the certificate can be applied to the MSN degree as they comprise the specialty concentration for that degree. This certificate provides focused coursework in the areas of teaching/learning theory, curriculum and instructional design, evaluation, and a teaching practicum simulation experience that provides students the opportunity to utilize knowledge from courses to prepare and teach in selected areas. Students will leave the certificate program with a robust understanding of the expectations of the nurse educator role.

Career Opportunities

There is a significant shortage of nurse educators, and this certificate provides career mobility options for bachelor, masters, or doctoral prepared nurses who wish to enter academia to teach in undergraduate nursing programs. The certificate also provides career mobility for nurses who desire to work as staff and patient educators in hospitals and other health care settings.

Courses Required

Total Credits Required - 16 credits

NURS 601 Curriculum Design in Nurs Educ - 3 credits
NURS 611 Teach Methods in Nursing Educ - 3 credits
NURS 621 Advanced PPP - 3 credits
NURS 632 Nurse Educator in the Clinical Setting - 3 credits
NURS 709 Nurse Educator Practicum - 4 credits

Link to All Nursing Program Course Descriptions

Admission Requirements

New Student Admission Requirements

• Completed application for admission. 
• Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree with an overall GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).
• Hold licensure as a Registered Nurse; Michigan licensure or eligibility. 
• Submit official transcripts for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and/or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Ferris graduates need not submit transcripts for coursework completed at Ferris. 
• Submit a 1-2-page letter of intent stating your professional goals and how the MSN program can assist you in meeting your goals. RN to MSN candidates may submit their RN to MSN Service-Learning synthesis paper.

These requirements also apply to Transfer Students.

Application Deadlines

The NEC will follow the same application deadlines as the MSN program. Applications are accepted at any time throughout the year and will be reviewed once all materials are received. Students may begin the program at the start of the next available semester/course.

More Information

Stephanie Gustman, DNP, RN
(231) 591-2258
[email protected]
Make Appointment