Graduate Certificate
Nursing Education Certificate Program
Advance Your Career
The College of Nursing’s Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education prepares nurses to take the next step in their careers by providing the essential skills and experience to confidently teach and lead in academic and healthcare settings. Building on previous graduate nursing preparation, this program examines the nurse educator role, innovative and evidence-based teaching methods, and effective ways to evaluate learners and educational programs. Students gain practical experience through a precepted practicum, applying what they learn in real-world clinical and classroom environments.
Designed for working nurses, this flexible, part-time hybrid program combines online coursework with hands-on practicum experiences that bring teaching to life in real clinical and classroom settings, developing the expertise to inspire and educate the next generation of nurses. In just 3–4 semesters, you’ll gain the knowledge and experience needed to pursue national certification in Nursing Professional Development through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or in Academic Nursing Education through the National League for Nursing (NLN).
Program Information
There are two different types of entry points into the graduate-level Nursing Education Certificate Program (NECP):
- Applicants who are currently enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice or PhD program
- Applicants who have an MS, DNP, or PhD in Nursing.
This program guide is a recommended course schedule for students enrolled in the DNP or PhD program. Students should meet regularly with their faculty advisor to discuss specific course selections. Applications open August 15th and close the following June 1st. Notification of admissions for Spring starts in mid-December.
This program guide is a recommended course schedule for applicants with a graduate degree in nursing. Students should meet regularly with the NECP coordinator to discuss specific course selections and practicums. Applications open August 15th and close the following June 1st. Notification of admissions for Spring starts in mid-December.
To qualify for entry into the Nursing Education Certificate Program (NECP), you must hold a current, unencumbered RN license and have at least one year of full-time practice experience.
- Master’s or higher-level degree from a regionally accredited institution
- GPA 3.0 or above in the last 60 units of graduate education.
- Unencumbered RN license within the U.S.
- Computer literacy
Once admitted to the NECP, you must submit proof of application for a Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety as a condition of final acceptance. Complete information about the statute can be found at the following websites:
Graduate certificate students are generally not eligible to receive federal financial aid. College of Nursing scholarship opportunities are limited for graduate certificate students.
Timeline
Deadlines
- Application Opens October 27th
- Application Closes Following June 1st
Notification of Admission
Applicants are notified of admission within 2 months of application.
Program Start
If admitted, students will start in Fall 2026.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the University of Arizona Graduate College online application.
Applicants must provide:
- REFERENCES
- Applicants must submit one reference from a professional colleague (supervisor, faculty, etc.)
- TRANSCRIPTS
- Applicants must submit transcripts from all post-secondary education institutions
- CV
- Applicants must submit their CV (PDF format preferred)
For more information contact:
Layla Salazar
Enrollment Coordinator, Doctoral Programs
CON-OSAA@arizona.edu