**Review** Graduate Catalog 2026-2027

Nursing Education Graduate Certificate

Program Overview

College of Natural and Health Sciences 

The Certificate in Nursing Education is designed to provide master's and doctorate-prepared nurses with advanced knowledge in nursing education. The courses are all online; at least 9 credit hours of graduate level course work in nursing education or approved related courses from UNC are completed to earn the certificate. At least six credits must be taken in the School of Nursing. Selection of courses is tailored to meet student needs. Students must complete each course with a grade of "B" or better.

Admission

Location: Online

Start Term: Fall, Spring and Summer

General Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements

Admission Deadline

Applications to this program are reviewed on a rolling basis. For the best possible admission and enrollment 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 the Admissions Coach for support to apply and begin classes in the upcoming term. View the UNC Academic Calendar for the start dates for upcoming terms.

Applicants must apply to the program through the Nursing Centralized Application Service (NursingCAS). All official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, and do not need to be resubmitted UNC.

Admission Requirements Include:

  • A bachelor's degree or a higher level direct-entry/prelicensure program from an ACEN, CNEA or CCNE accredited institution with a major in nursing.
  • A master’s degree in nursing from an ACEN, CNEA or CCNE accredited institution is preferred. Applicants with a master’s or doctorate in a healthcare-related field will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If the student is still completing their master's degree at the time of application, admission will be based on the student’s current cumulative GPA. The student will need to re-submit their official transcript (documenting degree conferred degree and final GPA) during their first semester.
  • Current, unencumbered licensure as a registered nurse (licensure outside of the United States is acceptable).
  • Meet the School of Nursing requirements for English Language Proficiency.

Application Requirements Include:

  • Official transcript from each college or university where courses were taken including documentation of a bachelor's degree or higher was earned (or is in progress).
      • Please Note: As all official transcripts are submitted to NursingCAS, they do not need to be resubmitted to the Office of Admissions.

        Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.

  • Copy of current unencumbered RN license. Licensure outside of the United States is acceptable.
  • A statement of career goals.
  • A current CV or resume

Please Note: This program does not require GRE scores.

International Applicants

International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.

For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.

Certificate Requirements — 9 Credits

Choose a minimum of 3 of the following courses:

NURS 631Teaching Strategies for Practice and Academic Settings to Improve the Quality and Safety of Care

3

or

NURS 741Evidence-Based Teaching

3

NURS 679Technology in Healthcare Education

3

NURS 760Advanced Nursing Curriculum Design and Program Evaluation

3

NURS 780The Professorial Role in Nursing Education

3

PSY 681Learning and Instruction

3

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