The University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Nursing is opening a 100% online Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate Program. This program helps nurses learn to teach, mentor and lead in classrooms, clinical environments and other health care settings.
12-credit-hour graduate certificate is for BSN, MSN and PhD-prepared nurses who want to move into roles as educators, mentors and leaders in academic, clinical and professional settings.
The program also addresses the shortage of nurse educators in Missouri. Through the curriculum, students will develop effective teaching skills, learn to design and implement coursework and effectively evaluate student learning and outcomes.
Dr. Diane Saleska, program director, said the initiative represents a broader investment in the future of health care.
“Launching a nurse educator certificate program is a strategic investment in the future of health care—addressing critical faculty shortages, strengthening the quality of nursing education, expanding career pathways for experienced nurses and ultimately improving patient outcomes on a broader, system-wide scale,” Saleska said. “Nurse educators influence generations of nurses."
To support the development and long-term success of the program, Dr. Kim Werner, highlighted the impact of funding from the Nurse Education Incentive Program.
"The Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate Program is partially funded by a grant through the 2025 Nurse Education Incentive Program and the Missouri State Board of Nursing,” Werner said. “This grant, funded through 2027, provides support for not only the development of the program, but ongoing faculty salary support, continued professional development opportunities for CNE Certification, and, most importantly, scholarship opportunities for those enrolled in the program. The goal is to establish ongoing interest and stable infrastructure to become a self-sustaining program following the award end date."
Designed with working nurses in mind, the certificate program offers a flexible, fully online format. Students are supported by experienced faculty and gain practical teaching skills that can be applied immediately in clinical or academic settings.
The curriculum aligns with national standards for nurse educators, ensuring graduates are well prepared for professional practice. The program builds on UMSL’s long-standing tradition of preparing nurses to improve health care by developing caring leaders and skilled educators who can guide and inspire the next generation. More information about the Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate Program can be found on the College of Nursing website.
To apply, visit NursingCAS .
For questions about the program, contact Dr. Diane Saleska at saleskad@umsystem.edu.
