Nurse Educator Schools in Texas

The southern state of Texas provides plenty of nursing opportunities. While practice is the most common career, there often comes a time when practice nurses decide to change careers. Becoming an educator is one such career path. If you’re one of those people, this guide may help.

What Are the Online Nursing Education Prerequisites in Texas?
2025 Best Nurse Educator Programs in Texas
Nurse Educator Licensing and Certification in Texas
Who Hires Nurse Educators in Texas?
List of Nurse Educator Degree Programs in Texas

Amy Kowalska, MSN, RN | Updated/Verified: Mar 11, 2025

What Are the Online Nursing Education Prerequisites in Texas?

Nursing educators operating in Texas must have a relevant and accredited nursing undergraduate degree. Both ADNs and BSNs are eligible because what's more important is the RN license. To work as an educator though, you also need a graduate degree – a master's (MSN) with an education major or path, or an education doctorate (PhD, DNP, EdD).

MSN Programs Post Master's Certificate Programs DNP Programs PhD Programs EdD Programs

2025 Best Nurse Educator Programs in Texas

Looking for the best nurse educator programs in Texas? NurseEducator.com has you covered. We've ranked the top programs to help you find the right fit. Our list focuses on quality, affordability, and outcomes. Whether you're starting out or advancing your career, our rankings guide your decision. Check out our detailed rankings to see which programs stand out. Learn more about how we rank programs at https://nurseeducator.com/rankings-methodology/.

Hallmark University

San Antonio, TX - Private 4-year - hallmarkuniversity.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing Education

Online Learning - Visit Website

Hallmark University's Master of Science in Nursing Education is a strategic response to the critical nursing faculty shortage. This innovative 16-month program prepares experienced nurses to become expert educators, addressing the projected 60,000 nursing professional gap in Texas by 2030. Students dive deep into nursing theories, public health, and curriculum development, gaining practical teaching experience through a comprehensive capstone project. The program offers a flexible online format, making advanced nursing education accessible to working professionals seeking to transform healthcare education.

16-month online master's program
Addresses nursing instructor shortage
60 hours teaching experience
Focuses on nursing education skills
Practical classroom teaching required
Flexible online learning format
Targeted at practicing nurses

Houston Christian University

Houston, TX - Private 4-year - hc.edu

Master's - MSN in Nurse Education

Online Learning - Visit Website

Houston Christian University's MSN in Nurse Education empowers passionate nurses to transform healthcare education. This accelerated 36-credit online program prepares educators to shape future nursing professionals through innovative curriculum and personalized support. Designed for working nurses, the program can be completed in just 24 months, offering flexible learning with a competitive tuition of $18,540. Students benefit from Christian values-driven education, gaining advanced teaching skills and clinical expertise to address the critical nursing educator shortage.

100% Online Program
36 Credit Hours
24 Months to Complete
$18,540 Total Tuition
CCNE Accredited
Two Annual Start Dates
No Program Deposit Required
Payment Plans Available
Practicum-Based Learning
Christian Values Focus
Personalized Success Coaching
Requires Valid RN License
16-Week Course Semesters
Career Growth Opportunity
Average Educator Salary $118,369

Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock, TX - Private 4-year - lcu.edu

Master's - Nursing Education and Leadership

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Lubbock Christian University's MSN in Education and Leadership offers a comprehensive, flexible 35-credit hour program designed for working nurses seeking advanced professional roles. The hybrid format accommodates busy healthcare professionals, enabling them to balance work and academic pursuits. Graduates are prepared for diverse nursing leadership and educational positions across healthcare settings, with a strong emphasis on practical skills, technological integration, and global health perspectives. The program boasts impressive outcomes, including 100% employment rates and opportunities for national certifications.

35 credit hour program
Hybrid learning format
1.5-2 year completion time
Multiple start dates annually
100% employment upon graduation
BSN required for admission
3.0 GPA minimum requirement
RN licensure mandatory
Global health experiences included
Practicum and leadership focus

Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice Education and Leadership Track

Concentration: Education and Leadership - Online Learning - Visit Website

Lubbock Christian University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Education and Leadership Track prepares advanced nursing professionals for transformative roles in healthcare. This comprehensive 36-credit, two-year online program equips nurses with cutting-edge skills in education, leadership, and evidence-based practice. Designed for post-master's nurses, the track opens doors to influential positions like nurse educator, clinical faculty, and healthcare administrator. Graduates develop expertise in curriculum development, healthcare technologies, and scholarly research, positioning themselves at the forefront of nursing innovation and patient care improvement.

36 credit hours
2-year online program
$1,130 per credit hour
August start date
Post-MSN clinical track
Education and leadership focus
1000 practicum hours required
3.0 GPA minimum
Federal financial aid available
Scholarships offered
Prepares for advanced nursing roles

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Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Lubbock, TX - Public 4-Year - ttuhsc.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus in nursing education

Online Learning - Visit Website

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a dynamic MSN in Nursing Education designed for BSN graduates passionate about shaping future nurses. This comprehensive online program equips students with advanced skills in curriculum development, evidence-based teaching strategies, and learning technology. Graduates are prepared for educational roles in academic and practice settings, with a flexible track completed in 39 semester credit hours. Competitive admission requires a 3.0 GPA, valid RN license, and strong professional potential.

Online nursing education track
39 semester credit hours
BSN entry-level program
Minimum 3.0 GPA required
Valid RN license needed
Application deadlines: Feb 15 (Fall), Aug 31 (Spring)
CCNE accredited program
Computer literacy test required
Professional references needed
Leadership experience considered

Graduate Certificate - Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a comprehensive Post-Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate designed for master's or doctoral-prepared nurses seeking to advance their educational career. This online program equips nurses with advanced curriculum development, technology integration, and evidence-based teaching strategies. Graduates are prepared for academic and practice educational positions and can pursue National League for Nursing Academic Nurse Educator Certification. The program provides a rigorous 27-semester credit hour curriculum with a 112-hour practical education experience.

Online certificate program
27 semester credit hours
112-hour education practicum
Prepares for nurse educator roles
Master's or doctoral prerequisite
Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA
Valid unencumbered RN license
CCNE or ACEN accredited program
Professional references required
Interview may be required

Show More 1 Programs ˅

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, TX - Public 4-Year - uhcl.edu

Master's - Nursing Education and Leadership, M.S.N.

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Elevate your nursing career with the University of Houston-Clear Lake's MSN in Nursing Education and Leadership. This innovative 30-credit program prepares advanced nursing professionals for transformative roles in academic and clinical settings. Designed for BSN graduates, the accelerated degree equips students with cutting-edge teaching and leadership skills. Flexible HyFlex and fully online formats accommodate working professionals, enabling completion in as little as 24 months. Graduates are prepared for roles like academic educators, public health specialists, hospital administrators, and nursing managers.

30-credit accelerated MSN program
HyFlex and online formats
No GRE required
Recommended 3.0 GPA
Fall deadline: August 1
Spring deadline: January 5
Prepares for NLN certification
Complete in 24 months
Face-to-face and online options
Leadership and education courses

Online RN to MSN Nurse Educator Programs

Texas has a small number of Nurse Educator programs, and most are available online, such as the one at the University of Texas at Arlington. Students will learn diagnostics and treatment, procedure, law and ethics, and assessment.

Entry requirements are:

Accredited Associate's Degree
Unencumbered RN license which is in date
Criminal background check
A minimum GPA of 3.0
Non-native English speakers must demonstrate relevant language proficiency

Online BSN to MSN Nurse Educator Programs

There is a range of online BSN to MSN Nurse Educator programs in Texas, including several hybrid options. One great online BSN to MSN program is the one at the University of Texas at Tyler. Students learn a range of clinical skills for teaching, but also administrative work such as assessment and curriculum, and policy and legal issues.

A regionally accredited BSN
Send transcripts with your application if requested
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale
Unencumbered RN license (copy)
Reference letters may be required – often a minimum of one academic and one employer reference
Non-native English speakers must provide English certification

Online Doctorate Nurse Educator Programs: DNP, Ph.D., or Ed.D.

There are three doctorate programs for nursing education to choose from. A Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) for practicing doctors, a Doctorate of Nursing Philosophy (PhD) for doctors of research, and a Doctorate of Education (EdD) for those who wish to teach in the nursing field.

The admission requirements for applying to a doctorate program in nursing education are similar to the requirements for other nursing education programs, except that you will need to possess a master's degree before you begin.

The University of Texas at Arlington has a well-known PhD program in nursing worth looking into, as well as the University of Texas at Tyler's DNP program.

Nurse Educator Licensing and Certification in Texas

Texas-based nursing educators must continue to uphold all required licensure standards even if their role is education and they will not work in practice.

You should also consider applying for the CNE (Certificate of Nursing Educator). Certification is not mandatory; however, you may find employers seek it as a matter of course. You have three types to choose from:

CNE is for academic teachers
CNEcl is for professional training (clinical teaching other clinical workers)
CNEn is for novices of the CNE and CNEcl with under three years of experience in either field

Certification requires holders to maintain the criteria required at the time of initial certification to continue to remain eligible.

RN licensing in Texas costs $100 for license by examination and $200 to enter the exam. License by endorsement is $186. CNE costs the same no matter where you are: this is $400 for NLN members and $500 for non-members.

Who Hires Nurse Educators in Texas?

What career paths might you follow once graduated, are licensed, and certified?

Academic: Teaching in colleges and universities, educating undergraduates and graduate students in nursing
Professional training: Working from medical facilities, you'll provide ongoing training to clinicians (often a requirement of licensure)
Private training provider: You may train clinicians, but you're more likely to train support staff who need some clinical knowledge such as admin, help desks, and sales
Charity: Educators may train aid workers, but also grant applicants who need an understanding of health issues
Public health nurse: Education skills are also required for the general public or special interest groups seeking health advice and care for new diagnoses

List of Nurse Educator Degree Programs in Texas

Ready to find an online or campus-based nurse educator degree program in Texas? Explore our listings to find the perfect program that matches your academic goals and career aspirations.