Purpose

The purpose of the post-master’s certification program is nursing education is to prepare a nursing professional who uses educational theory in health care teaching situations. The curriculum allows for a balance between didactic instruction, clinical instruction and distance learning instruction. The innovative integration of educational theory, curriculum design and instruction, and teaching and learning evaluation in each of these instructional areas will prepare the graduate for a variety of professional health care education roles.

The post-master’s certificate program is designed for:

• Advanced practice nurses who would benefit from learning nursing education principles and theories that can be used to address issues on a regular basis.
• Nursing educators in associate and baccalaureate degree programs who have a master’s degree in nursing or other health related areas critical to nursing but no specialized training in nursing education and perceive the need for additional skills.
• Nurses who have earned graduate degrees and perceive the need for nursing education knowledge in their future careers or are simply interested in a deeper understanding of nursing education theory as it relates to their area of practice.

Admission Requirements

Students desiring admission into the Post-Master’s Nurse Educator Certificate program must seek admission to the UNCW Graduate School. Applicants interested in admission to the certificate program must hold a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a master’s degree in a health related area critical to nursing from a regionally accredited university or college in the United States or its equivalent from a foreign institution. The applicant must have a strong overall academic record as evidenced on official transcripts, current unrestricted North Carolina registered nurse license or registered nurse license from one of the affiliated compact states, and computer competency.

Applicants who want to be considered for the program must submit to the Graduate School:

1. An online application for graduate admission
2. All official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate)
3. Graduate GPA 2.7 or greater
4. Three letters of recommendation (one each from a former nurse faculty member and current or former employer, preferred)
5. Application fee
6. Resume or CV

The following items must be submitted to the School of Nursing:

1. Demographic data form
2. An interview with faculty may be requested.

Required Courses - 9 Credit Hours

• NSG 513 - Foundations and Evidence-Based Practices for Nursing Education Didactic Instruction Credit Hours: 3

• (pre-requisite to NSG 524  and NSG 525 )

• NSG 524 - Foundations and Evidence-Based Practices for Nursing Education Clinical Instruction Credit Hours: 3
• NSG 525 - Foundations and Evidence-Based Practices for Nursing Education Distance Learning Credit Hours: 3