Post-Master’s Nursing Education CERTIFICATE

The Post-Master’s Nursing Education Certificate is a 12-credit program with 3 required courses and an additional elective to fulfill the requirements.  

Those who earn the Hopkins Post-Master’s NECO enjoy careers in instructional or administrative positions as faculty in schools of nursing, clinical educator in practice, or continuing education; educate prelicensure master’s and doctoral students in a variety of academic settings; and maintain dual roles as educators and direct patient care providers.

Applicants are required to complete the online application through NursingCAS for admission.  

Apply to the NECO Certificate  

The Post-Master’s NECO Program can be completed in one year, three semesters if the student takes one course in the summer, one course in the fall and two courses in the spring. Otherwise it can be completed in four semesters if the student takes one course each semester, beginning in the spring semester.  

Students enrolled solely in this certificate program are not eligible for federal student aid. Students typically fund this certificate via private loans, employer benefits, or out of pocket. However, additional funding, such as federal student aid, may be available if this certificate is in conjunction with a degree seeking program such as a DNP or PhD. There may also be other forms of aid available for students completing this program in conjunction with another degree. For more information visit https://nursing.jhu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/

1. At least one letter should come from a recent or current direct supervisor/manager (the person who is responsible for your performance evaluation)  
2. At least one letter should come from an academic faculty member who can speak to your ability to successfully complete a demanding graduate level academic and clinical program.  
3. The third letter can come from a second academic faculty member or an individual in a leadership position who can speak to your clinical abilities, and/or teaching abilities. 
4. Personal references from colleagues, friends, or family members do not meet the requirement.  
5. If you are unable to provide one of the reference letters above, please upload a statement of explanation to your application.  

Please include the following information in your resume or CV: 

• Work experience (include dates, sites and locations; paid and unpaid; any residency participation, and teaching experience)
• Education Background
• Scholarly activities (research, presentations, publications, honors, awards)
• Professional activities (leadership, certifications, professional organization membership, service on committees)
• Community Service/Volunteerism

After admission, you will meet with your assigned advisor to determine which courses you wish to include in your program of study. It is preferable that you choose courses which build on your past

experience, prior coursework and career goals. You must earn a total of 12 credits in order to attain the certificate.

You may choose to enroll in a single course or fewer than four of the courses without earning a certificate, however coursework must be completed within three years. 

Nurse educators play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of nurses who will shape the future of the nursing profession. The NLN Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Educators guide curriculum development to prepare graduates for the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. Obtaining specialized nursing educator certification, such as the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)® credential from the National League for Nursing (NLN), can distinguish you from other applicants. To earn the CNE designation, candidates must demonstrate excellence in competencies related to scholarship, learner development, curriculum design, quality improvement, and assessment strategies. The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing NECO program prepares graduates for NLN CNE ® certification.

NLN offers different nurse educator certifications, such as the Academic Nurse Educator (CNE®), Academic Novice Educator (CNE®n) and the Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE®cl). The key differences among these certifications are the educational settings they are geared toward and the specific competencies they emphasize. The CNE certification is for educators in academic settings, while the CNE®cl and CNE®n certifications cater to clinical and novice educators, respectively. The Academic Clinical Nurse Educator certification is for those who straddle both academic and clinical environments, bridging the gap between the two.

Each certification acknowledges the unique skill sets and expertise required in different roles within nursing education. Depending on your career goals and where you plan to work, you can choose the certification that aligns best with your educational and professional background. The NLN Nursing Certified Nurse Educator test plan, based on the academic nurse educator’s competencies, and eligibility requirements can be found at the NLN Core Competencies of Academic Nurse Educators website and in the respective Certified Nurse Educator website and candidate Handbook.

The National League for Nursing offers distinct but related Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certifications, each catering to different aspects of nurse education and roles within the field. Here are the key differences among these certifications:

• Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®): This is the core CNE certification program offered by the NLN. It is designed for nurse educators working in academic settings such as colleges, universities, and nursing schools. The CNE certification focuses on the core competencies required for teaching nursing students in these academic environments.
• Certified Nurse Educator – Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE®cl): certification is tailored for nurse educators who work in academic settings but have a strong emphasis on clinical education. It is ideal for educators who bridge the gap between the academic and clinical aspects of nursing education, preparing students for real-world clinical practice.
• Certified Nurse Educator – Novice Nurse Educator (CNE®n): This program is intended for novice or early-career nurse educators who are relatively new to the field. It provides foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in the teaching role. The definition of novice nurse educator has been established as educators new to nursing education with less than three years of nurse educator practice.