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Certificate in Nurse Education

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Certificate in Nurse Education

Designed to enhance master’s prepared nurses’ expertise in curriculum, instruction, and assessment, the nurse educator certificate provides a focused sequence of courses to prepare nurses for careers as educators in diverse healthcare and academic settings.

This post-master’s certificate is offered through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) online program. Pulling from the strengths of an interdisciplinary curriculum, this certificate program for nurses includes doctorate-level health professions education courses that are offered in ATSU’s Doctor of Education in Health Professions (EdD) program, as well as a certificate-exclusive course, Nurse Educator Professional Role and Responsibilities.

The nurse educator certificate program strives to produce nurse educators well-equipped to contribute quality education to nursing students, who will then go on to provide more effective and holistic whole person care to their communities.

Considering the nationwide shortage of nurses and nurse educators/faculty (source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing), this certificate helps address the dire need for more nurses by augmenting experienced clinicians’ expertise with an educational component — thereby supplying more educational opportunities in order to address such shortages. Ultimately, the certificate seeks to elevate the standards of nursing education by preparing individuals to be inspiring and effective educators in their chosen contexts.

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online flexibility

100% ONLINE
flexibility

curriculum

4 POST-MASTER'S
COURSES

graduate

COMPLETE
IN 1 YEAR

campus requirement

no residency
requirement

terminal degree

EXPERIENCE-FOCUSED
LEARNING

start date

MULTIPLE ENTRY
POINTS PER YEAR

Program essentials

Overview
Course list
Tuition
Faculty/Staff
ATSU
Curriculum
Admission requirements
Career advancement
Course List
Cost
Financial aid
Administration
Faculty
University Catalog
Accreditation

Certificate in Nursing Education curriculum overview

The post-master’s nurse educator certificate is a 12-credit program made up of doctorate-level coursework which prepares nurses with the skills to educate others. The four courses that comprise the graduate certificate can be completed in just one year, equipping nurses with the knowledge to teach in various settings, from nursing schools, to nursing professional development departments, to client education programs. Novice nursing faculty, as well as experienced educators, will receive training to enhance their prior knowledge, enabling them to better teach and inspire the next generation of nurses.

Career advancement

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for nurse educators is projected to continue to increase in 2024 and beyond.

Admissions requirements

The new nurse educator certificate program prepares individuals to be leaders in the field of teaching. Candidates applying for admission must have the following:

  1. Application:
    • Completed and signed admissions application along with a nonrefundable application fee.
  2. Academic:
    • An accredited bachelor’s degree from a university recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Applicants who received their qualifying degree from a university outside the United States will have to provide a degree equivalency evaluation.*
    • An Official transcript from the qualifying degree-granting institution. For students using VA benefits transcripts for all institutions attended are required.
    • Minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) at the qualifying degree institution.
  3. Elements of success:
    • A current resume
    • Completion of an essay
    • English Proficiency **
    • Meet technology requirements***

*Applicants who have graduated from a foreign college or university should submit acceptable evidence of U.S. degree/course equivalency. All course work taken at the foreign institution must be evaluated for American institution equivalence by one of the following services:

**Applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English when applying to A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Studies. Written and spoken proficiency in the English language may be demonstrated by one of the following options:

  • Option 1 - English is your first language.
  • Option 2 - Graduated from a regionally accredited four year college/university in the United States with a BA/BS or graduate degree.
  • Option 3 - You are demonstrating your English proficiency by submitting acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Accepted test types for CGHS are: The Computer Based Test (CBT), Internet Based Test (iBT), or the Paper Based Test (PBT) are accepted. The following are the minimum required score based on test type:

  • CBT - minimum total score of 213
  • iBT - minimum total score of 80
  • PBT - minimum total score of 550

The TOEFL is administered by:
TOEFL Educational Testing Services
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151
P: (609) 771-7100

A.T. Still University’s institutional code is 0339. Please be sure to include this information when you submit your application packet.

***ATSU technology requirements

EDUC 8100: Innovative Teaching Strategies in the Health Professions

Students will learn about traditional and emerging learning theories in pedagogy and andragogy. Topics discussed include student-centered learning, heutagogy, Pedagogy 2.0 and 3.0, problem-based learning, and transformative learning. Emphasis will be placed on teaching and learning in the face-to-face, hybrid, and online learning environments.

EDUC 8500: Instructional Design and Program Planning

Students will examine the use of a systematic process-based on learning theory to plan, design, and implement effective instruction for health professions education. Students will use educational taxonomies for the creation of instructional objectives for traditional and competency-based programs, and they will learn techniques for mapping curriculum.

EDUC 8700: Student Assessment

Students will learn how to create authentic assessments within a health professions curriculum. Best practices in assessment will be discussed, and students will create problem-based, competency-based, and transformative assessments that provide them with critical thinking and career-specific skills to facilitate training and education in the workplace.

DNPP 9920: Nurse Educator Professional Role and Responsibilities

Students will explore topics such as test item writing and analysis and clinical issues such as legal considerations, evaluation methods, and evaluation tools. Other pertinent topics include dealing with challenging students, diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing and transitioning from an expert clinician to a nurse educator. The learning objectives for this course will align carefully with the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) competencies for nurse educator certification (CNE).

Tuition

Review tuition and fees for the nurse educator certificate program. Please note tuition and fees are subject to change.

Financial aid

Federal financial aid is available for qualifying students. For more information visit Enrollment Services or contact them at 660.626.2019 or by email at enrollmentservices@atsu.edu.

Faculty

Helen Ewing, DHSc, MN, BN, RN
Helen Ewing, DHSc, MN, BN, RN
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Dr. Helen Ewing received her doctor of health science degree from Nova Southeastern University specializing in international healthcare; proposing a model for the delivery of primary healthcare in rural India. She also holds diplomas in nursing and business management and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from University of Calgary, specializing in management and quality improvement.

Dr. Ewing has over 35 years’ experience in healthcare and has spent the past 30 years in health profession education, academic administration, and healthcare leadership. Her experiences range from various leadership, academic, and clinical roles in Canada and the United States to working in resource-poor countries (Liberia, Rwanda, Cambodia, Kenya, Bangladesh, and India).

Dr. Ewing’s research interests include issues affecting global health, quality of life of nurses, healthcare leadership, promoting evidence-based healthcare, online education, and academic integrity. Dr. Ewing has a passion for quality, student-centered education and advancing healthcare professions locally and internationally.

Clair Lunt, DHSc, MEd, MN, RN
Clair Lunt, DHSc, MEd, MN, RN
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Dr. Clair Lunt received her doctor of health sciences degree from ATSU’s College of Graduate Health Studies. She also holds a master of education (in higher education) and a master of nursing (in critical care) from Queensland University of Technology.

Dr. Lunt has more than 25 years in nursing practice and is currently working as the director of nursing informatics at a major hospital system in New York. She is involved in professional organizations serving on various committees, is a published author, and a journal reviewer for an international informatics journal.

Dr. Jan Olson, MSN, DNP
Dr. Jan Olson, MSN, DNP
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Dr. Jan Olson is a seasoned population health nurse, subject matter expert, and academician with 20 years of clinical experience. She obtained a Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing Education in 2017 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2020 from Grand Canyon University. She is also nationally board certified in school nursing.

Dr. Olson has practice expertise in communicable disease epidemiology, behavioral health, pediatric chronic disease, and leadership. She is regarded as a local and national expert in School Health. Dr. Olson has an academic background as an Associate Professor of Practice, Content Developer, Nursing Strategic Programming Coordinator, and a Curriculum Director serving in nursing programs, nursing professional organizations, and academic organizations including Linfield College, Concordia St. Paul University, Oregon School Nurses Association, and EBSCO Industries.

Dr. Olson's areas of special interest include health disparities, vulnerable populations, adverse childhood experiences and health outcomes. Dr. Olson is the president of the Oregon School Nurses Association, a member of the National Association of School Nurses and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor society for Nurses, respectively.

Lisa St. Pierre, MSN, DNP
Lisa St. Pierre, MSN, DNP
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Dr. St. Pierre completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in 2010 from Chatham University, and a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Nova Southeastern University in 2008.

Dr. St. Pierre brings years of experience in nursing education and specializes in teaching methods for online, blended, and face-to-face classes. She also has extensive experience in curriculum and course development, leadership, learning outcomes, program evaluation, faculty development, and accreditation.

Dr. St. Pierre states, “My top priority is to ensure the best outcomes for students by upholding academic rigor while demonstrating compassion and kindness.” With more than 25 years in the field, she has made significant contributions through research, leadership, and curriculum creation. She enjoys reading, cooking, spending time on the water, and spending time with friends and family.

Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM-EP, PN-1, FACSM
Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM-EP, PN-1, FACSM
Dean
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Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM-EP, PN-1, FACSM LinkedIn

Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM-EP, PN-1, FACSM is the Dean of the College of Graduate Health Studies at AT Still University. Dr. Hastie received her doctor of education from George Fox University (2013), her master of science in exercise and sport science with an emphasis in biomechanics from the University of Oregon (2003), and her bachelor of science in exercise science from Gonzaga University (2001). She is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is a certified Exercise Physiologist.

Prior to joining ATSU, she was a Professor of Exercise Science and Program Chair for the Exercise Science Program at Lasell University (Newton, MA). Dr. Hastie also served as the Faculty Fellow for the Fuss Center for Research on Intergenerational Education and Aging and received the deWitt Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from Lasell University. Dr. Hastie served as Faculty Chair of the University’s governance system.

Dr. Hastie has served in several leadership roles at the regional and national level of the ACSM, which include her current roles on the Professional Education Committee at the national level and as the President-Elect for the New England chapter. Her research interests have included exploring the connection between lifelong physical activity and long-term health outcomes, the relationship between exercise training and cognition, and the effects of discrimination experiences on health-related coping behaviors.

Dr. Hastie has extensive experience in online program development, teaching, and assessment. She developed an online Master of Science in Nutrition for Human Performance program and has 18 years of experience in both synchronous and asynchronous teaching formats. She became an educator because she strongly believes in the development of the whole student as a crucial responsibility of higher education institutions.

Nicole Webb, DNP, FNP-BC
Nicole Webb, DNP, FNP-BC
Program Chair
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A.T. Still University’s College of Graduate Health Studies (ATSU-CGHS) has welcomed Nicole “Nic” Webb, DNP, FNP-BC, as the new chair of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Dr. Webb began her role on July 17. Prior to coming to ATSU, Dr. Webb most recently served as program chair of the University of Central Missouri’s (UCM) School of Nursing and associate dean of UCM’s College of Health Science and Technology. She received a master’s of nursing with a concentration in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track in 2006 from the University of South Alabama, and later received her DNP degree in 2010 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Throughout her career, Dr. Webb has developed a wealth of experience in teaching, leadership, and accreditation. She is a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Missouri Nurses Organization (MONA), and also serves as a Board Member and Public representative for the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). “As nursing continues to evolve, I remain current in my practice so that I may join in the educational journey of our students. I am grateful to serve in the role as educator and mentor to our present and future nurse leaders,” Dr. Webb said.

University Catalog

University Catalog Program guide

Review the University Catalog to learn more about the program and university. Read detailed course descriptions and obtain answers to many of your questions regarding application and tuition.

A.T. Still University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

230 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500,
Chicago, IL 60604

Phone: 800.621.7440 | Fax: 312.263.7462
Email: info@hlcommission.org

hlcommission.org


Nursing education faculty and ATSU leadership

The ATSU-CGHS faculty and staff are dedicated to the success of each certificate student. Our online nurse educator certificate offers challenging, interprofessional educational experiences that enable intellectual and practice advancement.

All ATSU nursing faculty hold doctoral degrees, bringing their diverse academic and professional backgrounds in nursing practice, leadership, and management to the online classroom and other nursing learning experiences. Their academic areas of expertise include executive administration, health policy and advocacy, community and rural health, advanced nursing practice, child and adolescent health, mental health, public and community health, palliative and end-of-life care, health information systems, and nursing research and education, among many others. ATSU’s graduate nursing faculty enjoy online teaching and are committed to providing innovative instructional opportunities and experiences.

Offering a rewarding and challenging educational experience, the nurse educator certificate program enables professional and intellectual advancement needed to teach and inspire others in nursing schools, nursing professional development departments, client education programs, and other settings where nurses’ educational development is fostered.

Marisa Hastie, EdD, MS, ACSM EP-C, PN-1, FACSM
Dean
Dr. Craig Phelps, DO
President
Clinton Normore, MBA
Director of Diversity

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