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Post-Bachelor’s Online Certificate in Nursing Education
Classes Begin: January 5, 20261 year
Fully Online
12
CCNE-accredited, U.S. News & World Report top five program
Drexel’s CCNE-accredited online graduate Certificate in Nursing Education is a four-course program that includes classes from the online MSN: Nursing Education curriculum. If you are considering healthcare provider education roles, this program will provide the skills and knowledge you need, including foundations of nursing education principles, high-level cognition curriculum design, and how to assess, measure, and evaluate.
Upon completion of the certificate, you will have earned 12 graduate quarter credits which can be applied towards an advanced role MSN at Drexel, including the online MSN in Nursing Education.
What is a Certified Nurse Educator?
Certified Nurse Educators have successfully completed an academic nurse educator certification program through the National League for Nursing (NLN). The NLN offers two such certifications:
- Certification for Nurse Educators: An academic nurse educator is involved with planning curricula, teaching, and evaluating students. They may also serve as an advisor, performing other activities in the capacity as faculty member in nursing schools.
- Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator: An academic clinical nurse educator is involved with teaching the clinical components of nursing programs.
The credentials outlined above are a mark of professionalism that indicates expertise in this role. It shows students, peers, and the academic and healthcare communities that a nurse educator is a leader and role model.
What Does a Certified Nurse Educator Salary Look Like?
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing instructors and teachers at the postsecondary level, who teach and demonstrate patient care in either a classroom or clinical unit setting, earn median annual salaries of $86,530. Salaries vary by location, work setting, and other factors.
The following table outlines the industries with the highest levels of employment and most recent certified nurse educator salary information:
Industry
Annual Mean Wage (2018)
Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools
$86,900
Junior Colleges
$81,900
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
$106,620
Technical and Trade Schools
$85,580
Business Schools, Computer and Management Training
$93,100
Questions? We're here to help!
For application related questions:
enroll@drexel.edu
For program related questions:
College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
The Post-Bachelor's Certificate in Nursing Education program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Curriculum
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
| NURS 591 | Foundations of Healthcare Education | 3.0 |
| NURS 606 | Curriculum Design for Higher Level Cognition | 3.0 |
| NURS 613 | The Role and Responsibility of the Nurse Educator | 3.0 |
| or NURS 616 | Teaching Methods in Nursing Education | |
| NURS 615 | Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 12.0 | |
Admissions Criteria
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- BSN degrees must be from an institution accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education), ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing), or NLN CNEA (NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation)
- Nurses with a non-nursing bachelor's may consider applying for the RN-BSN-MSN program to earn both a BSN and MSN concurrently, or apply to the RN to MSN Bridge Program.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
- If your GPA is lower, you're still encouraged to apply, but should ensure that relevant professional experience is included on your resume. You must also provide two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study.
- While specific clinical work and/or volunteer experience is not required, it may make your application more competitive.
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions attended (including trade schools)
- Two professional letters of recommendation from either previous or immediate supervisors or former faculty members who can attest to your clinical knowledge, skill, and potential aptitude for graduate study
- If you have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, this requirement can be waived
- Personal statement describing your interest in the program and particular specialty
- Resume
- Copy of your United States RN license
- Additional requirements for International Students
An admissions interview may be required.
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2025-2026 is $1169 per credit. (A 10% tuition savings off Drexel's regular tuition rate of $1298 per credit)
For the academic year 2025-2026, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- This program is not eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates are available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations.
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans , you may not be able to combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2025-2026 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2025
September 22, 2025
December 6, 2025
December 8, 2025
December 13, 2025
Winter 2026
January 5, 2026
March 14, 2026
March 16, 2026
March 21, 2026
Spring 2026
March 30, 2026
June 6, 2026
June 8, 2026
June 13, 2026
Summer 2026
June 22, 2026
August 29, 2026
August 31, 2026
September 5, 2026
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