Program Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education (GCNE) prepares registered nurses to work in education roles in colleges, universities and clinical settings.

Students in our Clinical Nurse Leader (MS-CNL), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD programs may elect to complete the GCNE in addition to the requirements of their programs.  The program is also available to nurses and nursing faculty who wish to develop and enhance their teaching skills. Students who complete the GCNE program and have a master's or doctoral degree in nursing will qualify to take the National League of Nursing (NLN) Certification for Nurse Educators.

Why choose the UMass Amherst Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education?

The UMass Amherst College of Nursing offers the benefits and resources of a large, prestigious research university as well as expertise in online education. The Nursing faculty includes renowned professors whose widely published research puts them at the forefront of their fields and enriches the quality of their teaching.

Program Description

The GCNE consists of a flexible 5-course (15 credit) program of study focused on knowledge and skills required to teach nursing. Most courses are offered online.

The curriculum includes:
Two required core nursing courses
Two electives from the College of Education
A capstone teaching practicum

Required courses:

NUR 642 Teaching in Nursing
NUR 697T Curriculum Development, Evaluation, and Processes in Nursing

Electives - Select 2 from the College of Education:

Some of the courses that can be used are:

EDUC 595K Intro to College Teaching
EDUC 692K Foundations and Theories of Learning
EDUC 691E Social Issues in Education
EDUC 615G Integrating Tech with Instruction
EDUC 615K Community College Leadership
EDUC 615T College Impact on Students
EDUC 674 Leading Higher Education

Teaching Practicum:

NUR 698T Teaching Practicum in Nursing
This final culminating practicum course provides the framework, mentorship, and coaching for graduate students to develop skills in teaching in the classroom, in clinical settings, and in an online environment.

Admission Process

Students who are already matriculated in a University Graduate Program only need to complete the College of Nursing internal application for admission to the certificate program.  All other students will need to complete a “non-degree application” form found at the Graduate School, https://www.umass.edu/gradschool/sites/default/files/nondegreeapp.pdf and then contact the College of Nursing for further information.

Contact

Contact Cynthia Mendoza at the College of Nursing: cmendoza@nursing.umass.edu
413-577-2322