Nursing Education Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate
An Online Nursing Education Program
Are you a nurse with a master’s or doctoral degree who wants to teach the next generation of nurses? Are you an MSN-prepared nurse who is currently teaching and want to enhance your teaching skills?
Take our online Nursing Education Graduate Certificate. You can take this program on its own, or can add it while completing another post-master’s nursing program.
You can finish the program online in a year or less, all while you keep working.
What You’ll Learn
This program gives you the skills to teach the next generation of nurses. Course topics include:
- Evidence-based teaching
- Technology in healthcare education
- Advanced program design and evaluation
You’ll learn from expert nurses who are proven leaders in the field.
Your Career in Nursing Education
Teach Nursing
Becoming a nurse educator can open up new job opportunities and give you a more flexible schedule. This certificate will prepare you to provide outstanding education and help you achieve certification.
Nurse Educators are Critically Needed
Institutions need qualified faculty to meet growing student demand.
According to AACN’s Nursing Faculty Shortage Fact Sheet, as of October 2023 there were more than 1,977 faculty vacancies in the United States. U.S. nursing schools turned away 65,766 qualified applicants in 2023.
Course of Study
Delivered Fully Online
- All certificate courses are delivered online.
- You will be able to choose each course you take in this program. How long it takes to complete the certificate depends on your course choices and the courses available each term. You can finish in a year or less if you choose.
- To establish the best course of study for you, contact the Program Coordinator.
To see specific course offerings, visit the current students page for this program.
Courses and Requirements
This is a 9-credit graduate certificate program. When you complete the certificate, it will be visible on your transcripts, and you will receive a hard copy certificate.
Doctoral Program Option
Nursing Education PhD
We also offer a Nursing Education doctoral degree.
Have Questions? Get in Touch!
Rapha Xavier
Enrollment Counselor
Darcy Copeland
Program Coordinator
Tuition Rate
Simple Per-Credit Tuition Rate
You pay the same rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
Per Credit
Rate for the 2025-26 academic year (fall, spring and summer terms).*
No Student / Technology Fees
Certain courses, e.g., field experiences, may include course fees to support added services and materials.
*Tuition for the 2026-27 academic year will be decided mid-June 2026.
Estimates of additional costs: For the purposes of determining financial aid, UNC follows Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and federal guidelines to develop an estimated, average Cost of Attendance (budget) for different student classifications. For your personal tuition estimates, we recommend using the program-specific tuition information above. But UNC’s official Cost of Attendance/Student Budgets page can help you identify other estimated expenses for which you may be responsible while completing your program.
Financial Aid and Support
- The federal government only awards financial aid for courses that count toward completion of a UNC degree, so federal aid is not available for this stand-alone certificate.
- If you will need financial aid, please work with UNC Office of Financial Aid for information about non-federal loans.
- UNC also offers a monthly payment option.
Program Eligibility
General Admission Requirements
- Possess a master’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
- Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, for the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress.
- If you are in the process of completing a previous degree or have special GPA considerations, please read the specific requirements for this program type.
- The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is NOT required for graduate school admission.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- To apply to this certificate program you must possess both a BSN degree and an MSN degree from accredited (NLN/ACEN or CCNE) programs in nursing.
Eligibility for Out-of-State Students
Eligibility by State
UNC can offer distance learning in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the major U.S. territories. We check for changes in state rules as needed. Some states may have extra rules for internships, clinical placements, and student teaching. Visit the State Authorization page to learn more.
International Student Eligibility
You are eligible to apply: We accept international students to online UNC programs. We can’t guarantee that our programs meet distance education requirements for every country. Before you apply, check your country’s policies and regulations. You should not apply if you live in a country that is subject to U.S. sanctions.
No student visa: Students in online UNC programs do not need to come to the United States. You will not get a student visa or receive any immigration documentation. You do not need to provide financial documentation when applying.
You will need to provide proof of your English language ability or complete the UNC Intensive English Program. Please visit the International Admissions page for information about:
- Minimum English language requirements
- Applying as an international student
Meet with an Enrollment Counselor
Meet the Program Faculty
Visit the Academic Department
Are You Ready to Apply?
Thank you for your interest in this UNC program! Here are some elements you can check to be sure you are eligible and ready to apply to this program.
Program Eligibility
See the Program Eligibility section above.
International Applicants
Please see the International Student Eligibility section above to check your eligibility for this program.
Recommended Application Deadlines
For the best possible admission, enrollment and orientation experience, we recommend that you complete your application by these dates, which are approximately 60 days before the start of each term:
- Summer term: March 15
- Fall term: June 15
- Spring term: Nov. 15
You can still apply after these dates, but if the date has passed please contact an Enrollment Counselor for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.
Application Process Details
- In the Nursing CAS application system, click on the “Add Program” tab, search for “University of Northern Colorado” and choose the following program via the “+” icon: Nursing Education Graduate Certificate
- Start term: Fall Term (Aug.), Spring Term (Jan.) or Summer Term (May)
View the full program-specific application details in the UNC Graduate Catalog.
Apply to This Program
Start Your NursingCAS Application