MSN in Nursing Leadership
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At a Glance
Advance your nursing career with USD's renowned Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science. Earn your MSN in nursing leadership online in just 20 months.
Tailored Clinical Placements
Gain hands-on, leadership-focused training customized to your career goals.
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Elevate your career with a master’s degree in nursing leadership
Success in nursing leadership requires a combination of transformational growth, professional development, and strategic decision-making skills. However, transitioning into higher-level roles can be challenging. The University of San Diego’s fully online MSN in Nursing Leadership (MSN-NL) program is designed to support this transition, equipping students with expert knowledge, clinical leadership experience, and dedicated faculty support.
Tailored for nursing leaders at all levels, this program prepares you to expand your influence and take on greater influence and responsibility in healthcare while advancing health equity and improving patient outcomes.
Gain skills applicable across hospital systems, community agencies, and healthcare organizations while mastering healthcare operations, team leadership, and cultivating your professional identity. You can also select an education or informatics track, depending on your interests and career goals.
Offered by the nationally ranked Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the MSN-NL program helps you build the expertise and leadership competencies employers are looking for.
Who is the MSN-NL Degree for?
This program is ideal for nurses at all levels of management, particularly those with strong leadership and critical-thinking skills who aspire to advance into higher-level administrative or executive roles within healthcare.
The MSN-NL degree is best suited for, but not limited to:
- Emerging nurse managers and supervisors looking to advance in their roles
- Experienced nurses aiming to further their careers
- Nurses with an interest in policy and advocacy
What can you do with a nursing leadership degree?
A nursing leadership degree opens doors to diverse career opportunities, equipping graduates with the knowledge, training, and skills to excel in various healthcare settings. Graduates of the MSN-NL program are likely to go on and work in a wide range of positions related to healthcare management, administration or education. These include:
- Nurse Manager
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Nursing Instructor
- Nurse Educator
- Director of Nursing
- Clinical Director
Curriculum and Specialty tracks
The MSN-NL program consists of 36 units of coursework spread across five semesters, offering a focused and relevant learning experience for professionals aspiring to take on management and leadership positions in nursing.
The curriculum includes four clinical practicums, where students will develop SMART goals and gain mentorship from preceptors in various nursing leadership roles within diverse clinical settings.
In the final semester, students will complete a capstone clinical practicum in a systems-based practice course, which integrates all competency-based learning materials and activities from the program.
Additionally, students can choose a specialty track, requiring an additional 9-10 units of coursework over an additional two terms:
Nursing Education
Gain the expertise to mentor and train the next generation of nurses, qualify for faculty and clinical educator roles, and contribute to solving the nursing faculty shortage.
Informatics
Leverage data and technology to optimize healthcare delivery, improve patient care, and lead innovations in healthcare informatics.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, MSN-NL graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge, competency, and skills within the following domains:
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Apply knowledge from nursing, other disciplines, sciences, and liberal arts to advance the practice of professional nursing and promote health equity. |
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Deliver person-centered care to individuals and significant others based on scientific knowledge to promote positive outcomes and health care equity. |
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Promote population health that spans the healthcare continuum. |
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Engage in scholarship for the nursing discipline to improve health outcomes and transform healthcare. |
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Provide safe, quality care using safety science principles to enhance quality and minimize harm to patients and providers. |
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Engage in interprofessional partnerships through Intentional collaboration to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes. |
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Coordinate resources within a complex health system to provide diverse populations with safe, quality, and equitable care. |
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Use informatics and communication technologies to provide care, gather data, drive decision-making, and support professional practice. |
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Cultivate a sustainable, ethical, professional identity that reflects nursing’s attributes and values and self-awareness of implicit bias. |
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Foster participation in activities and self-reflection to nurture personal, professional, and leadership development. |
Dedicated Mentorship and Support
Nursing is a close, compassionate community — and the MSN-NL program embodies that spirit. We believe in the power of collaboration, which is why students receive personalized guidance and support throughout the program and beyond.
USD’s nursing programs foster a nurturing, inclusive environment where students can grow into compassionate and effective nursing leaders. Faculty are highly accessible, and the program directors provide coaching, mentorship, and open office hours to ensure students have the resources they need to succeed.
Experienced, Student-focused Faculty
The faculty involved in the MSN-NL program have extensive experience in nursing leadership, clinical practice, and academic instruction. Their backgrounds include roles such as nursing program coordinators, healthcare informaticists, and emergency and family nurse practitioners. Many have also held leadership positions in professional nursing organizations and served on academic editorial boards.
Admission requirements
The MSN-NL program seeks candidates with strong leadership and critical-thinking skills who aspire to advance into high-level administrative or leadership roles within healthcare.
If you have clinical care experience and want to influence healthcare policies, improve patient care systems, and lead teams, we invite you to visit our admissions page for full details.
Tuition And Financial Aid
Program tuition for USD’s MSN-NL degree is competitive with other top institutions. Federal financial aid can help fund your education, and scholarships and grants may also be available.
How to Apply
Learn more about the application process, including detailed instructions on how to apply.
Accreditation
The MSN-NL program is offered through USD’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, founded in 1973, which provides a range of comprehensive graduate-level degrees aimed at developing experienced, knowledgeable nursing professionals. The Hahn School empowers graduates to become changemakers, taking on leadership roles across the country and around the world.
Each of the University of San Diego’s academic programs is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools (WASC). Accreditation is an important quality indicator for college and university degree programs, and regional accreditation is generally regarded as the gold standard that assures you will receive a rigorous education and be able to apply for federal financial aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a degree or work experience in healthcare required for admission?
Yes, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related professional field from an accredited institution, along with an active, unencumbered RN license. While work experience is not required, it can strengthen your application by demonstrating your understanding of the field.
Do you require any nursing entrance exam requirements?
No, we do not require any nursing entrance exams. However, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a related professional field from an accredited institution and provide proof of an active, unencumbered RN license. You can find the complete list of requirements on the admissions page.
Do you provide clinical placements for MSN-NL students?
Yes! We take great pride in our robust clinical placements, which are customized to meet students where they are. These experiences provide valuable hands-on training while focusing on leadership development to prepare you for advanced nursing roles.
What are the benefits of the priority application deadline?
Applying to our master’s program by the priority deadline offers you significant advantages:
- Early Consideration: Be among the first to have your application reviewed and receive your admission decision sooner, giving you more time to prepare for your next academic journey.
- Increased Admission Chances: Secure your spot in the program while more seats are available, enhancing your chances of acceptance.
- Stress-Free Planning: Eliminate the last-minute rush by submitting your application early, allowing you to focus on the next steps.
- Showcase Your Commitment: Demonstrate your dedication and preparedness by applying early, making a strong impression on our admissions committee.
Don’t wait—take the first step toward your future today by submitting your application by the priority deadline!
How many units is the MSN-NL program?
The MSN-NL program is 36 units, which equates to approximately 20 months. Choosing a specialization track will require additional units and extend the program duration.
How much is the tuition for the MSN-NL program?
Tuition for the MSN-NL program is $995 per unit. With a total of 36 units, the full cost is $35,820. If you choose a specialization track, additional units will be required, which will increase the overall cost.
Tuition amounts shown on this website, or in other university publications or web pages, represent tuition and fees as currently approved. However, the University of San Diego reserves the right to increase or modify tuition and fees without prior notice and to make such modifications applicable to students enrolled at USD at that time as well as to incoming students. In addition, all tuition amounts and fees are subject to change at any time to correct errors. Please note that the displayed tuition covers only the cost of courses, and additional expenses such as books and other fees are not included.
What specialization tracks are available within the program?
Students may choose a specialization track in either nursing education or informatics, which will require an extra 9–10 units over an additional two terms.
Are there any state restrictions for applicants?
Applicants must hold an active, unencumbered RN license at the time of application. This program is authorized in the following states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Montana
- Virginia
Is a GRE or GMAT required for admission to the MSN-NL program?
No, the GRE or GMAT is not required. However, if your GPA is below 3.0 or the admissions committee recommends it, submitting test scores may strengthen your application.