Non-Clinical Specialty

Nursing Education

Fall 2025 Applications are now open. Apply now for priority review.

The part-time Nursing Education Post-Master’s Certificate (NE-PMC) is a distance learning program designed for nurses with advanced degrees who either already work, or wish to work, in a nurse educator role. Students learn foundational and advanced concepts to prepare for engagement as faculty using innovative, best-evidence practices for teaching and learning. 

Nursing photo
Section Contents

Specialty Highlights 

Completed in 3 or 4 Part-time Semesters

Online Learning Format

Online classes with no on-campus requirements

For nurses with a master’s or doctoral degree

Can be completed as part of VUSN’s MSN, PMC, DNP or PhD programs

Two Entry Choices

Choose either a fall or spring program start

I know how needed nurse faculty are, so one of my goals is to pay it forward and teach people who want to be nurses.

Teresa Cagle, DNP’24
Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Atlanta, Georgia

Prestigious Program with Exceptional Outcomes

  • VUSN is a National League for Nursing Center in Nursing Excellence recognized for its faculty education
  • Students gain competencies specific to the nurse educator role as outlined by the NLN
  • Classes are small and collaborative, with low faculty-to-student ratios and personalized attention
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice students who add the NE-PMC may participate in the Nurse Faculty Loan Repayment program, which provides financial support for individuals interested in pursuing a faculty role upon graduation
  • Nationally recognized faculty with expertise in all aspects of nursing education provide mentorship, model excellence and encourage innovation

Curriculum & Objectives

Students engage in authentic tasks and learning activities throughout the NE-PMC on topics such as curriculum development, course design, active learning strategies, use of educational technology, high stakes assessments, program evaluation, and supporting diverse students in complex and dynamic contexts for learning. The final course (N8079) focuses on role synthesis for an individualized and focused mentored teaching experience completed with VUSN faculty.

The Nurse Educator curriculum incorporates the 2021 AACN Essentials, assuring students receive a comprehensive and up-to-date education that meets the highest standards in nursing education and assures they are well-prepared for practice.

Explore the sample Post-Master's Certificate curriculum.

Time Commitment

The curriculum is implemented part time over three or four semesters. Learners may enter the program in the spring with completion in three semesters (12 months) or the fall with completion in four semesters (16 months). There is no on-campus requirement for the NE-PMC.

Outcomes

Nearly 80,000 qualified nursing applicants were turned away from nursing programs in 2022, in part due to lack of nursing faculty. Graduates with the Nursing Education Post-Master’s Certificate are equipped to ease that shortage. Roles for graduates of the NE-PMC include academic faculty, preceptor, staff developer and clinical educator. At the conclusion of the certificate program, learners are eligible to sit for the National League for Nursing (NLN) Certified Nurse Educator examinations.

This program’s thought-provoking and practical curriculum prepares academic nurse scholars to meet current and future challenges in nursing education.

Betsy Kennedy, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAWHONN
Director, Nursing Education Post-Master’s Certificate program
Professor