Graduate Certificate
Nursing Education
The Nursing Education Graduate Certificate is perfect for nurses interested in training the next generation of nurses and applying evidence-based teaching strategies. This program typically takes one year and prepares you for a career in patient education, nursing student education (like academia), or community education.
You’ll learn about emerging practices, developing curricula, and how to become a great teacher.
Overview
Format
Hybrid online
Mostly online with some in-person requirements on the CU Anschutz Campus in Aurora, CO.
Avg. time to complete
1 year
3 semesters
Exam prep
CNE
When you finish this certificate program, you can sit for the National League for Nursing’s Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam.
Why get a graduate certificate?
Earning a graduate certificate helps you build knowledge in a specific area of study quickly. You can enroll if you have an undergraduate education or higher. If you have a master’s degree in nursing and want to pursue an additional specialty, explore our post-graduate certificates.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this program, you’ll be able to:
- Teach undergraduate or graduate nursing courses
- Develop courses and curricula
- Sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam
- Understand how to interact with students and evaluate their work
Unique features
This certificate is unique because it:
- Prepares you for a role in nursing education
- Is available to CU Nursing graduate students and anyone with an undergraduate degree in nursing
- Is open to non-degree-seeking nursing professionals (preceptors, nurses, patient educators, etc.)
Admissions
Deadline(s)
| Start term | Application opens | Deadline |
| Fall 2025 | July 1, 2025 | August 11, 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | March 24, 2025 | June 2, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | October 2025 | January 2026 |
Get started
Curriculum
This is a 9-credit program. You’ll take three classes, one per semester, and an optional fourth class. Classes cover best practices in teaching and learning, nursing education science, curriculum design, and program evaluation. Class offerings vary by semester; students typically finish in one year.
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $7,065 |
| Eligible western state residents** | $7,065 |
| Nonresidents | $11,457 |
| Additional expenses | Time frame | Estimated costs |
| Matriculation fee | One-time | $140 |
| Other fees | By term | Fall $392, Spring $232, Summer $180 |
| Books and supplies | Total for program | $2,000 |
| CU health insurance (may be waived with proof of comparable personal health insurance) | By term | Fall $1,575, Spring $1,575, Summer $1,050 |
Become the nurse looked to first 
Get your degree from the top nursing college in Colorado. Start your journey to become a CU nurse today.
Disclosures
** Estimated total tuition based on 2024-2025 costs. Tuition estimates do
not include fees and other education-related costs. The in-state tuition
rate is also available to residents of eligible western states that
participate in the Western Graduate Regional Program (WRGP).
- Accreditation information.
- Certification and licensure for online students residing outside of Colorado: Please see the Nursing Certification Disclaimer and review the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements information.
- Gainful employment and program statistics: For information about graduation rates, the median debt of students completing our programs, and other important information, please visit the University of Colorado Denver Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.