Can a POST-BAC DNP teach at University level?

Specialties Doctoral

Published

I am currently a Post-Bachelor DNP student, meaning I essentially "skipped" a Master's degree, (though in my program we still complete Master's level classes before continuing on) and I have been thinking about whether or not when I am done with school if I would like to teach in some capacity. Does anyone know if it is required that I have Master's to teach at either an undergraduate or graduate level or would a DNP be acceptable?

Specializes in Critical Care.

I would imagine a DNP would be acceptable. MSN or higher at my local college for BSN teaching... and DNP is higher. Try to do some part time teaching on the side, as they will want experience. Ask if you can add specialized education courses on to your degree if you are serious about a teaching role.

Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Certainly depends on the institution that hires you. I've met nursing professors that had NP degrees and were being "strongly encouraged" to get some graduate education courses so they could obtain their CNE. Here are the requirements to sit the CNE exam:


Option A: Must meet criteria 1 & 2

1. Licensure

A currently active, unencumbered, registered nurse designation in the country where currently practicing as a nurse educator.

2. Education

A. Master's or doctoral degree in nursing with a major emphasis in nursing education or

B. Master's or doctoral degree in nursing plus a post-master's certificate in nursing education or

C. Master's or doctoral degree in nursing and nine or more credit hours of graduate-level education courses*


*Examples of acceptable courses include: Curriculum Development and Evaluation; Instructional Design; Principles of Adult Learning; Assessment/Measurement & Evaluation; Principles of Teaching and Learning, Instructional Technology

Note: Graduate-level research or statistics courses do not count toward this requirement

Option B: Must meet criteria 1, 2 & 3

1. Licensure

A currently active, unencumbered registered nurse designation in the country where currently practicing as a nurse educator.

2. Education

A. Master's or doctoral degree in nursing (with a major emphasis in a role other than nursing education).

3. Experience

Two years or more employment in a nursing program in an academic institution within the past five years.


From my understanding of this, I, as BSN to PhD graduate would be able to take the CNE exam immediately after being granted my degree (hopefully within the next month). But only because my course of study included about 15 hours of graduate-level education courses on adult education, course design, curriculum development, etc. . .

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