The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education is available for nurses who already have a graduate degree in nursing and are seeking to develop advanced knowledge and skills in order to teach in academic or clinical settings. The coursework emphasizes instruction in teaching, program and course development, implementation, and evaluation.
The curriculum is based on standards for master’s education outlined in the Essentials for Master’s Education in Nursing published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2011), as well as the developed Core Competencies of Nurse Educators proposed by the National League for Nursing (NLN). Graduates of the program are eligible to take the NLN Certified Nurse Educator Examination.
Scheduling of Courses
All courses for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education are offered using distance delivery technologies, in a synchronous or asynchronous format. Whenever possible, teaching practica may be completed in the student’s community, or in the event the type of practica needed is not available in the student’s home community, travel to a larger community may be necessary. Faculty are able to validate teaching competencies through site visits, video and/or conference calls.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
School of Nursing Admission Deadlines
Information on admission deadlines can be found on the SON website. Applications for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education (EDUC) are reviewed once a semester as they are completed.
School of Nursing Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education applicants must submit documentation of the following requirements:
- Graduate degree in nursing (master's or doctoral) from a school of nursing accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
- Registered professional nurse license in the state of Alaska. License must remain active and unencumbered while in the School of Nursing (SON) graduate program. There are different reasons for a license to be encumbered and some may not preclude admission to the program. Students with encumbered licenses should meet with the graduate chair to determine program eligibility.
- Meet with faculty advisor to develop a plan of study (see SON website for advisor contact information).
School of Nursing Admission Process
The UAA School of Nursing application process can be found on the SON website.
Additional School of Nursing Requirements
Once admitted to the Nursing Education Graduate Certificate program, students will receive instructions for submission of the following requirements1:
- Documentation of continuous current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, infants, and children;
- Evidence of satisfactory health status, including immunity to chicken pox, rubella, rubeola, and hepatitis A and B (by titer); documentation of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) immunization within the past 10 years; annual PPD skin test or health examination indicating freedom from active tuberculosis; documentation of an annual HIV test (results not required); and
- The results of the SON-sanctioned national level criminal background check.
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The above requirements may change based on the demands of clinical facilities. Please check with the SON for the most recent list of requirements.
Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical sites. They are also responsible for their portion of the cost of audio conferencing. Students must have access to a personal computer and reasonable Internet connectivity. Prior to entry into the nursing program, students are expected to have graduate-level writing and American Psychological Association (APA) referencing skills, as well as basic computer and typing skills, for example:
- Word processing;
- Sending and receiving e-mail with attachments;
- Accessing and navigating the Internet/World Wide Web;
- Have a basic understanding of hardware, software, and operating systems.
Academic Requirements
Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education must make continuous progress toward completion of the certificate and remain in good standing with the SON. Noncompliance with the good standing policy and academic progress expectations will result in probation and possible dismissal from the program. A detailed schematic of the SON academic good standing policy can be found in the SON Graduate Handbook. In order to remain in good standing, students must:
- Maintain professional and academic standards at all times;
- Maintain continuous registration each fall and spring semester until the certificate is granted;
- Earn a minimum GPA of 3.00 (B) in all required coursework.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
- Complete the program requirements below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NSG A649 | Best Practices in Teaching and Learning in Nursing Education | 4 |
| NSG A650 | Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing Leaders | 3 |
| NSG A652 | Technology and Informatics for Nurse Educators | 3 |
| NSG A655 | Curriculum Design and Program Assessment | 3 |
| NSG A695A | Clinical Practicum in Population Health | 2 |
| Total | 15 | |
A total of 15 credits is required for the certificate.1
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Students need to have had an advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology and health assessment course in their original nursing master’s program; if their program did not include some or all of these courses, they may need to be taken for the graduate certificate.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The graduate is prepared to:
- Engage in scholarly inquiry, including evaluation and application of evidence-based research to advanced nursing practice or nursing leadership.
- Practice in a manner that incorporates ethical, legal and professional standards for advanced nursing practice or nursing leadership.
- Collaborate across disciplines and in partnership with communities, groups, families and individuals through culturally sensitive practice.
- Demonstrate competence and caring in the professional nurse role to serve as a leader, provider and educator in the health care system.
- Articulate a plan for self-directed, lifelong learning and professional development.