Nursing Education

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education prepares experienced nurses with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to teach and evaluate learning in academic and clinical settings. Nurse educators are in high demand. The United States is currently experiencing a severe nursing shortage, and one reason is that many universities must turn away applicants due to a lack of nurse educators to train these future nurses.

The United States is currently experiencing a serious nursing shortage and one of the reasons is that many universities must turn away applicants due to a lack of nurse educators to train these future nurses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for nursing instructors and teachers was $86,530 in May 2023, higher than the median yearly wage for all occupations of $48,060.

After earning your certificate, graduates can take the National League for Nursing Nurse Educator Certification- Novice exam.

The 11-credit Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education program prepares expert nurse clinicians for the role of educator, particularly as instructors in classroom, clinical and simulation/laboratory instructors in associate and baccalaureate degree nursing programs and as staff educators in clinical agencies.

The Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education is a blended program with online classes and in-person components. While most courses are available 100% online, two courses require in-person work and/or study. NUR 567 and NUR 569 are practicums that may be completed at a qualifying organization geographically convenient to the student.

The master’s degree program in nursing and the post-graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Maine School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791

NOTE: This program does not accept international students. However, Canadian applicants may be considered if they can complete clinical/practicum learning requirements in the State of Maine and attend scheduled campus meetings in Orono, Maine.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLN-accredited college/university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• An undergraduate course in health assessment, statistics, and nursing research/evidence-based practice/quality improvement course with a “B” or higher
• Experience as a registered nurse
• Active Maine license as a registered nurse
  • Applicants without a Maine license must provide proof of reciprocity before the classes begin.

Application Materials

• An online application
• Current résumé or CV
• Official academic transcripts from all institutions attended

We have rolling admissions, meaning you can apply and be accepted anytime. Classes are sequenced and start each fall semester. The admission evaluation process begins once we’ve received all of your application materials. Before you apply, please review the application instructions.