Nursing Education Minor

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The Nursing Education Minor combines didactic courses and two field-based practica in clinical and academic settings aligned with the student’s interest. The online curriculum prepares students to apply instructional theory and research in the following types of educational settings and roles: schools of nursing, health care agency staff development, continuing education departments, advanced practice nursing, and patient and community education agencies. The Nursing Education Minor is available to graduate students enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. The minor involves the completion of a minimum of 10 credits of coursework. Active students, including those in the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, should consult with their respective academic advisor and the coordinator of the Nursing Education Minor to develop their curriculum plan.

Upon completion of the minor, graduates with a valid RN license may be eligible to take the Certified Nurse Education Exam offered by the National League of Nursing (NLN) (Note: visit the NLN website for eligibility requirements)

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Nursing Education Minor are prepared to:

• design current, progressive nursing education programs using research and theories of learning instruction, curriculum, evaluation, and measurement.
• utilize a variety of teaching strategies and media appropriate to learner characteristics, instructional objectives, and nursing or health-related content.
• plan the learning activities of individuals and groups of students in clinical and didactic settings.
• guide the performance of learners in settings where nurses function as educators for nurse colleagues, students, patients, families, and communities.
• apply principles of measurement and evaluation to the development of learner assessment procedures for didactic and educational instruction.
• utilize computer technology and educational informatics as integral components of nursing education and training.
• articulate the role of the nurse educator within the health professions, schools of nursing, and community.
• perform the role of education consultant in settings where nurses, patients, families, and communities participate in education activities.

Admission Criteria

• Valid registered nurse license may be required in state where clinical practica will be performed.
• GPA ≥ 3.0 in current MSN, DNP, or PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Nursing

Curriculum Format Total 10 Credits (150 Practicum Hours)

• Part-time (~ 3-4 terms)
• Courses are taught online
• Fall or Spring admission. Starting the coursework in Spring will enable completion of the minor in three consecutive terms.
• Three of the four required courses are to be completed in sequence and are offered once a year (NUR 3293  in Spring, NUR 2084  in Summer and NUR 2183  in Fall); the 4th required course (NURSP 2093  ) can be taken any term.
• Practica are arranged based on student’s needs.
• Applicants must have the curriculum plan approved by the coordinator of the Nursing Education Minor and student’s advisor