Program Overview

Certificate in Nursing Education

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education (GCNE) consists of a flexible five course (15 credit) program of study focused on teaching curricular knowledge and pedagogical skills needed to teach nursing. In order to make these courses available, they will be offered in blended classrooms, using synchronous and asynchronous web based learning. Some courses may be offered in intensive weekend or summer courses.

The GCNE consist of two core nursing courses, two electives from the School of Education, and a capstone teaching practicum. In the practicum, students will apply their nursing and pedagogical skills to working with nursing students in the classroom, online, and in clinical settings.

The GCNE is targeted at four complementary populations. First, students in our Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and PhD programs may elect to complete the GCNE in addition to the requirements of their programs, or in some cases as part of the requirements to fulfill their desired degree. A second, overlapping group are our teaching assistants who may want to enhance their teaching skills.  A third group of potential students are faculty teaching nursing programs across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who have advanced degrees, but no formal education in teaching strategies. Finally, a fourth group of potential students are nurses who work as educators in clinical settings. Many of these nurses have bachelor degrees, and no training in educational strategies. Individuals who complete this GCNE program, and have a master’s of doctoral degree in nursing will qualify to take the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certification for Nurse Educators.

Program Goals:

Develop a grounding in pedagogical theories.

Evaluate nursing curriculum using accreditation guidelines.

Consider quality measure in nursing education in developing and evaluating nursing curriculum.

Use creative teaching methods to enhance pedogogy.

Reflect on own teaching style as a means of incorporating new teaching strategies.

Prepare nurses for education roles in colleges, universities, and clinical settings.

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