Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)

Clinical Educator Certificate

The University of Indianapolis Graduate Nursing Program offers an online educational Certificate in Nursing, with a focus on education of nurses and health care professionals in the clinical area. Eligible candidates for the certificate should have a bachelor’s degree (may be in nursing or another field). (Note: Nurses who do not have a college degree should contact Dr. Mary McHugh at (317) 788-3206 or via email at mchughm@uindy.edu to discuss an exception to the degree requirement).

Completed certificate registration

This 9-credit-hour certificate is completed in 12 months; one 3 credit graduate course is taken each semester. The courses may be taken in any order; therefore, students may begin the Certificate program at the beginning of any semester. Semesters at the University of Indianapolis begin in the months of August, January, and May.

All courses are offered online and carry graduate credit that, for students with a BSN degree, may be applied to the University of Indianapolis’ Masters Degree in Nursing with a specialty in Education. (Note: Academic courses typically provide 15 CEU equivalents per credit hour for those wishing to use these courses as part of their continuing ed requirement for state licensure or national certification).

The courses are not self-paced; there are weekly assignments, due dates throughout the semester for papers and projects, and the courses will finish at the usual end of each semester. Students should plan to spend approximately 4 hours per week per credit hour on their readings, learning exercises, team projects, class discussion and library work. Therefore, for a 3 credit hour course, the student should budget 12 hours per week for work on the course.

See a brochure about all three certificate programs.

Educational Objectives
The Clinical Educator Certificate will prepare the graduates to:

• Use principles of adult learning in clinical education programs
• Prepare and present clinical education programs that are culturally sensitive and use best educational practices in order to upgrade clinical expertise in patient care settings
• Plan, budget for and deliver educational programs, conferences and symposia designed to improve nursing knowledge in the clinical area
• Identify and analyze significant issues arising between clinical nursing practice and nursing education, and provide leadership that incorporates caring attributes in the pragmatic resolution of any differences
• Develop measurable behavioral objectives and competency statements for clinical education programs

This program consists f three academic courses totaling nine semester credit hours concentrating on the skills needed to become a clinical educator. The courses can be taken in any sequence and are offered in an online format. These credits can be applied to an MSN in Nursing Education if a student decides to continue with graduate education.

Applicants for admission to the certificate program should submit:

• Completed certificate registration
• A non-refundable application fee of $60 made payable to the University of Indianapolis