Your new career path in nursing education awaits
| Accreditation | Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Paying for school | You can earn up to 85% in loan forgiveness through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP)1 |
| Clinicals | We pledge your clinical placement! |
| Format | 100% online classes |
| Doctorate pathways | Earn dual credit towards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); consider an alternative pathway to a Doctor of Nursing Education |
| QuickPaths | 6 start dates per year; transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
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Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2024 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Online Post Master's Nursing Education Program
The Post Master's Certificate in Nursing Education is a 16-credit post-graduate program which prepares you for a career as a nurse educator.
The online certificate program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in teaching/learning strategies, instructional design, curriculum development and evaluation, roles of nurse educators, and much more.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Nursing education certificate program classes & curriculum details
Designed for nurses who already hold an MSN, our online Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education program provides students with the academic knowledge, skills, and expertise to become nurse educators in diverse healthcare and academic environments. Courses consist of specialty concentration courses and a clinical course.
| Program | Months i | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Post Master's Certificate Nursing Education (PMCNE) | 8 | 16 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program.
Required Specialty Courses
16.00 semester credit hours are required. NU 610, NU 621, and NU 636 will be required if not completed successfully with the prior Master of Science in Nursing degree.
Or NU 730 - Systems-Based Practice Semester Credit Hours: 3.00
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the Post Master's in Nursing Education program is $625 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10-20% tuition discount.
You can earn up to 85% in loan forgiveness through the NFLP.
Commit to a career as a nursing instructor and you can potentially save immensely on cost as part of the National Faculty Loan Program (NFLP).
You’ll need to find a full-time position within 12 months after graduation. The longer you remain employed full-time, the more you can save—up to 85% over 4 years.2
Your clinical placement is our pledge.
We understand securing clinical placement as part of a post master's certificate nursing program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.
Admissions Prerequisites
The post master’s nursing education certificate program is open to registered nurses who:
- Hold a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited university or college (such as a master’s or doctoral degree)
- Hold a current, active and unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the state in which they live (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement).
Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Meet Our Leadership
"Herzing University provides students with the knowledge, skills, and attitude to become a qualified nursing educator. The Nurse Educator program provides teaching and learning opportunities in both traditional academic settings, as well as a clinical-based settings for those who may wish to become a clinical educator.
Herzing’s knowledgeable and supportive faculty, as well as its robust curriculum, provide graduates with the tools they need to succeed as a nursing educator."
Brandy Ebert, DNP, RN, MSN-Ed, MBA-PM, BSB
Department Chair of Academic Programs (Online MSN)1Dr. Brandy Ebert is the Department Chair for Academic Programs for the Online Nursing Department, overseeing the RN-MSN, MSN, PMC in Nursing Education, Nursing Leadership and Administration, and Public Health Nursing programs. She also oversees MSN core courses, including theory, evidence-based practice, pharmacology, pathophysiology, etc.
Dr. Ebert has been in nursing education since 2010. In addition, she has served in leadership capacities and faculty at various institutions, in which she was responsible for teaching a variety of courses, curriculum development, simulation and clinical leadership, nursing instruction, faculty/student management, campus scheduling, clinical site acquisition, financial/supply maintenance, etc. During her tenure, she has also implemented a variety of new programs and initiatives, including master instruction, experiential learning, alternative clinical learning days, nursing education checklists and competency assessments, and a post-graduate mentorship program. She regularly engages with students and interacts with leadership to monitor program assessments/matrices and develop clinical and curriculum orientation processes and collaborative assessment tools.
Prior to nursing, Dr. Ebert had a science background with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, and experience working a research laboratory for two years.
1MSN-Core Courses, MSN-Nurse Educator, MSN-Nurse Leader, MSN Public Health, & RN-MSN-A Programs
Choose a nursing school who knows nursing
Herzing's Post-Master's Certificate in Nursing Education program provides busy professionals with the flexibility and convenience of completing coursework online. Full-time and part-time options available.
We are committed to helping you achieve academic success.
As a student in our nursing education certificate program, you will learn from dedicated Doctoral-prepared faculty and have Master-prepared academic coaches available to you who offer one-on-one assistance, coaching, and support.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!
Nurse educators generally practice in one or both of:
- Academic setting. Universities, colleges, trade schools, etc.
- Clinical setting. Hospitals, clinics, other healthcare organizations, etc.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports these 5 industries provide the highest level of employment for nurse educators in 2018:
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Junior Colleges
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- Technical and Trade Schools
- Business Schools and Computer and Management Training
With the proper education and experience, nurse educators may specialize in two different ways:
- Type of care. High-demand areas of care will seek nurse educators with those specialties— possibilities including adult health/gerontology, psychiatric & mental health, pediatrics, public health and many others. Demand for all specialties will fluctuate based on evolving demographics and long-term industry trends.
- Student education level. Educators may favor training students in one of several levels of nursing, including practical/vocational nursing, registered nursing (associate or bachelor’s degree), master’s degree or doctoral degree level positions.
The Herzing Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education program may be completed in 8 months when attending full-time. Complete the 16-credit program and you’ll be eligible to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator exam and become a certified nurse educator (CNE).
The National League of Nursing identifies the following as the primary nurse educator core competencies:
- Facilitate learning
- Facilitate learner development and socialization
- Use assessment and evaluation strategies
- Participate in curriculum design and evaluation of program outcomes
- Function as a change agent and leader
- Pursue continuous quality improvements in the nurse educator role
- Engage in scholarship
- Function within the educational environment
Yes, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Nursing faculty shortages are limiting student capacity at a time when the need for registered nurses continues to rise.
The AACN’s 2018-2019 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing report found that “nursing schools turned away 75,029 qualified applicants from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2018 due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints.”
The AACN cites the following primary reasons for the nurse educator shortage:
- Faculty age continues to climb, and a wave of retirements is expected over the next 10 years
- Higher compensation in clinical settings draws candidates away from faculty roles
- Master’s and doctoral nursing programs are not generating enough candidates for nurse educator programs
The result is that nurse educators are in very high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 18% increase in employment from 2023-2033, significantly higher than most other types of postsecondary teachers.*
You’ll need a great education, plenty of clinical experience, excellent communication skills, a passion for healthcare and a real desire to make a difference—and an eagerness to share your experiences with others. The best teachers are those who are truly passionate and pass that along to their students. A great teacher goes a lot further than the essentials.
Perhaps most important is a commitment to a life of learning. If you possess these crucial skills for a nurse educator, this might be the career you’re looking for.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for a nurse educator is $87,090 per year.* Salaries can vary based on location, education, and experience. Discover the average nurse educator salary in your state and learn more about a career in nursing education.
We offer multiple options for current nurses of all types, including pathways for ASN/ADN, BSN, and MSN degree holders.
View our available online Nursing Education programs.
A post master’s certificate (PMC), also referred to as a “post-graduate” certificate, is designed for nurses who hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and seek additional certification in a separate field.
Herzing University offers several post master’s certificates for MSN-prepared nurses looking to transition in or out of clinical-based practice:
- AGACNP - Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (program length: 20 months)
- AGPCNP - Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (program length: 20 months)
- FNP - Family Nurse Practitioner certificate (program length: 16-20 months)
- NE - Nursing Education certificate (program length: 8 months)
- NLA - Nursing Leadership & Administration (program length: 8 months)
- PMHNP: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner certificate (program length: 20 months)
A post master’s certificate from Herzing University provides the education, training, and practical experience you need to take the next big step in your nursing career.
No, a nurse educator is not considered an APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse). A nurse educator can be called an APRN only with a separate credential as one of the following:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
Certification
Do I need to get certified?
Certification or licensing isn’t currently required for nurse educators, but it can help you stay competitive in the job market and potentially increase your earning potential.
Graduates from a postgraduate certificate in nursing education program (who also hold an MSN degree) are eligible to take the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam from the National League for Nursing (NLN).2
We recommend you take this step to get certified, earn an edge on the job market and get off to a fast start in your career as a nurse educator.
The Student Experience at Herzing
The faculty here is outstanding. It's what I value the most about being at Herzing. Not only are they caring but they're good at what they do.
Jessica Smith
Nursing StudentAccreditation & Disclosures
1. In exchange for post-graduation employment as nurse faculty meeting specific criteria, the program authorizes the cancellation of up to 85% of any such loan (plus interest thereon).
2. Certification is not a state requirement for employment.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
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Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.