Nursing Education, Online

Post-Master’s Certificate
Instructor assisting nursing student with mannequin

About this program

Ready to make an impact as a nursing educator? Here’s your chance. This part-time, online program is designed to prepare you for advanced roles in healthcare and academia. More and more registered nurses with master’s degrees in other specialty tracks are attracted to rewarding careers in nursing education. This program answers the call with specialized coursework covering educational theories, delivery strategies, assessment methods, evaluation techniques, and curriculum development.

Have questions?

Meet with Kelly Bidlespacher, Director of Nursing, Bachelor and Graduate Degrees, to discuss the ins and outs of the Nursing Education program.

Schedule meeting

Special Admissions Requirements

A limited number of seats are available in this program. That’s why we rely on selective admission criteria to select applicants with the highest potential for success. Entry into the program is competitive.

Read more about the selection criteria →

ALL APPLICANTS RECEIVE THE IN-STATE, UNDERGRADUATE TUITION RATE.

100%

Online

Part-Time Program

No GRE Required

Careers

Work as a nursing educator in a variety of settings, including:

  • Academia
  • Hospitals
  • State and federal agencies
  • Home healthcare
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Educational Theory & Teaching Strategies (NUR605)
  • Assessment & Evaluation in Nursing Education (NUR615)
  • Clinical Practicum in Nursing Education (NUR625)
  • Curriculum Development in Nursing Education (NUR635)
  • Didactic Practicum in Nursing Education (NUR630)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

Our Leadership

“If you are already a master’s-prepared nurse and have an interest in nursing education, this certificate program will set you on the right path! In one year, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to teach our future nurses and foster growth within the nursing profession.”

Tanae Traister PhD, RN

Assistant Dean of Nursing & Health Sciences

Online Degrees

Learning that fits your lifestyle

Convenience

  • Accessible online anywhere in the world
  • Part-time program for working professionals
  • Continue to work and be at home with your family

Value

  • In-state tuition rate for all students, regardless of residency
  • Same rigor as on-campus programs
  • Many employers offer tuition reimbursement - check with yours to see if you qualify

Service

Class Delivery

  • Classes delivered asynchronously through P.L.A.T.O., Penn College's Platform for Learning And Teaching Online
  • 100% online - no required campus visits
Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

UPMC Susquehanna
Geisinger
Evangelical Community Hospital

Career Fair Connections

Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

Learn More About Career Fair
Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Student Nurses’ Association (SNA)

The SNA’s mission is to explore professional growth, promote mutual respect in collaboration between the different levels of nursing, and serve as a channel for the exchange of ideas to promote holistic health and provide for both patient and student education.

Learn more

Sigma Nursing Honor Society

Connect with other nurse leaders through the Sigma Nursing Honor Society.

Learn more

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved
Penn College News

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Workforce Development expands LPN program to Williamsport

Pennsylvania College of Technology has received approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing to expand its Workforce Development practical nursing program, originally based at Penn College’s Wellsboro campus, to the college’s main campus in Williamsport. This strategic move aims to enhance access to quality nursing education and address the nursing shortage at both state and national levels.

Friday, March 21, 2025

12 high schools test anatomy prowess at Anatomage Tournament

A unique anatomy competition, hosted recently by Pennsylvania College of Technology, connected students from 12 Pennsylvania high schools with future health career opportunities as they proved their knowledge in a gaming-style contest. Wellsboro Area High School took first place in the inaugural Penn College Anatomage Regional Tournament.

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Anatomy tournament draws WNEP-TV interest

WNEP-TV reported on today’s Penn College Regional Anatomage Tournament, which brought 20 teams from 12 Pennsylvania high schools to campus to test their anatomy skills. The local ABC affiliate interviewed the college’s Elizabeth S. Gizenski, director of surgical technology, as well as an Anatomage representative and a student from Benton High School.

Clinical Practicums

Your knowledge in practice

Gain real-world experience through two hands-on practicums. Working alongside master’s prepared nurse preceptors, you’ll benefit from expert insight and have an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in previous courses in professional settings.

Accreditation

The master’s nursing program at Pennsylvania College of Technology located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania is accredited by the:

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the master's nursing program is initial accreditation.

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs/.  

View Associate Nursing Program Accreditation & Outcomes Information

More Information

Applicants are required to have the following:

  • Earned Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from an institutionally accredited college or university.
  • MSN graduation or cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; and
  • Current, active, unencumbered U.S. Registered Nurse (RN) license. 
Applicants must submit official transcripts to the Admissions Office from all postsecondary institutions previously attended.

This major has limited seating. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling admission basis. New cohorts begin each May.

All students must earn a ‘B’ (3.0) or higher in all NUR courses within the post-master's certificate program; if a lower grade is earned in any NUR course, the course must be repeated.

The following grading system is applied to all nursing courses in this major. There is no rounding of grades:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89.99
C = 75-79.99
F = 74.99 and below

Notice of Conviction
Child abuse clearances and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in clinical practice experiences. Agencies can prohibit students from participating in clinical experiences at their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Pennsylvania College of Technology, when students are at a clinical site, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to complete clinical, fieldwork, or intern educational experiences will result in the inability to meet course and program outcomes. For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing advises that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act or two misdemeanors might result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice nursing. In accordance with the professional Nurse Law, Act of 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69, as amended, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing shall not issue a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Act known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act” or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless a least 10 years have elapsed from the date of the conviction.

Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription or which may impair a student's ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and will result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.

The transfer of graduate level nursing credits is not accepted into this post master's certificate program.

View general transfer information

Students must meet the Essential Functions for Nursing as established by the Nursing Program, as well as health and safety requirements including, but not limited to, immunizations (MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, annual influenza vaccination, PPD), medical examination, 10 panel drug screen, CPR certification, and background clearances as established by clinical affiliation agreements. Some clinical sites may have additional health and immunization requirements that are not part of the current program requirements, for example, COVID-19 vaccination.

Students accepted into this major will incur expenses for uniforms, malpractice insurance, clearances, certifications, etc. Refer to equipment and estimated cost list .

Technical Requirements

  • Laptop Computer Required
  • Windows 10 or higher, macOS 11 or higher (recommended)
  • Intel Core i5 or i7 (generation 10 or higher) processor (recommended)
  • 8+ GB RAM (recommended)
  • 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended)
  • Laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required)
  • Laptop must include a wireless network card (required)
  • Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required)
  • Additional plug-ins may be required (Information Technology Services - Service Desk available for assistance)
    • Chromebooks and other devices running ChromeOS are prohibited

Operating Systems:

P.L.A.T.O. (Platform for Learning and Teaching Online) is Penn College's implementation of Desire2Learn/Brightspace LMS. It is a Web-based course management system that allows instructors to post course materials online, facilitate course communication, gauge student progress, and extend learning beyond the classroom.

Browsers:

The fully supported browsers for P.L.A.T.O. are: Firefox, Google Chrome and Safari

Contact the Program Director:

Amber Morgan; Kelly Bidlespacher
nursingadministration@pct.edu 
570 320 2400 ext. 4525