MSN in Nursing Leadership
Curriculum
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MSN-NL Curriculum Overview
MSN-NL is a 36-unit program offered for nursing leaders of all levels who seek to take on greater influence and responsibility in the field. Graduates can apply the skills gained in this program across healthcare systems, hospitals, community agencies, and healthcare-related organizations.
The course of study includes four clinical practicums, where students set SMART goals and receive mentorship from preceptors in various nursing leadership roles across diverse clinical settings.
In their final semester, students complete a capstone clinical practicum as part of a systems-based practice course, integrating all competency-based learning from the program.
Additionally, students can choose a specialty track in either informatics or education, requiring an extra 9–10 units of coursework over an additional two terms.
20
Average number of months it takes to graduate from the program
15–20
Average number of hours of coursework to expect each week
Curriculum Highlights
- 12 total courses: 2 foundational, 6 core and 4 practicums
- 36 total units
- Course load and schedule:
- Online students will take one 7-week class at a time. Classes are taken year-round in the spring, summer and fall terms. Practicums will take place over an entire term.
- All courses are instructor-led and asynchronous, enabling you to work on your assignments on your own schedule. If you are balancing coursework with a full-time job or other time commitments, asynchronous learning offers you a great deal of flexibility. Materials needed for assignments are readily accessible so you can access them and do your classwork when the time is right for you.
Students may also choose to continue with a specialization track in Nursing Education or Informatics, which will require additional coursework over two additional terms.
The completion of an introductory statistics course is required. If this is not completed before starting the program, it must be finished by the end of the first term. (Note: This course is not part of the program curriculum for graduation.)
Online Course Curriculum
The curriculum includes the following courses:
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Explore the foundations of advanced nursing practice, including the integration of nursing knowledge, person-centered care, and population h… |
3 |
|
Explore leadership skills, interprofessional collaboration, and the role of nurse leaders in population health.… |
3 |
|
Study disease processes, patient assessments, and treatment plans using an evidence-based approach.… |
4 |
|
Learn how nursing knowledge is developed and has influenced the practice of nursing and clinical decision-making.… |
3 |
|
Gain hands-on experience in advanced patient assessment, care management, and ethical leadership.… |
2 |
|
Explore healthcare technologies, data security, and communication strategies to improve patient care.… |
3 |
|
Study disease prevention, public health policies, and strategies for improving community health.… |
3 |
|
Analyze health data and develop public health interventions with interdisciplinary teams.… |
2 |
|
Learn to identify and improve quality and safety in healthcare systems.… |
3 |
|
Apply quality improvement methods to enhance patient safety and care.… |
3 |
|
Understand healthcare systems, policy, and strategic planning to optimize system effectiveness.… |
3 |
|
Apply healthcare systems, policy, and strategic planning to optimize system effectiveness.… |
4 |
Specialty Tracks
Now, more than ever, dedicated nurse educators are needed to train the next generation of nurses, ensuring they have the knowledge and skills to promote patient health, safety, and well-being.
Beyond developing nurse educators, addressing the nursing shortage also requires preparing more nurse leaders and informaticists. Informatics is a specialized field that blends nursing science with information and analytical sciences to manage and communicate data, knowledge, and insights in nursing practice. Nurse informaticists are critical in designing and optimizing health information technology (IT) to improve patient care and healthcare systems.
The MSN-NL degree program offers the following additional leadership tracks, which will require an extra 9–10 units of coursework over an additional two terms.
Nursing Educator
Gain the expertise to train the next generation of nurses, ensuring they have the skills to promote patient health, safety and well-being. Qualify for faculty and clinical educator roles, and contribute to solving the nursing faculty shortage.
Informatics
Blend nursing science with information and analytical sciences to manage and communicate data, knowledge and insights to optimize health information technology, improve patient care, and lead innovations in healthcare informatics.
Clinical Practicums
Students will complete four clinical practicums, where they will set attainable, time-sensitive SMART goals under the mentorship of a preceptor in various nursing leadership roles across diverse clinical settings. In their final semester, they will undertake a capstone clinical practicum as part of the systems-based practice course, integrating all competency-based learning and experiences from the program.
Degree Plan
Degree candidates are admitted throughout the year to begin their program during one of three terms (spring, summer or fall). Students will take two courses during each 14-week term, focusing on one seven-week course at a time. Practicums will take place over the entire length of a term. This master’s degree program can be completed, on average, in five terms (20 months).
Download a PDF of your degree plan that corresponds with your start term.
Important dates for your starting term can be found in the degree plan. Important dates for subsequent terms can be found in your student success center after acceptance.
Program Development
The MSN-NL program is offered through USD’s Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, established in 1973, and provides a range of graduate-level degrees designed to develop experienced, knowledgeable nursing professionals.
All faculty members are distinguished professionals with extensive experience in healthcare leadership and nursing. They are committed to student success, offering exceptional coaching, mentorship, and support to help develop the next generation of nursing leaders.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, MSN-NL graduates will be equipped to:
- Apply knowledge from nursing, other disciplines, sciences, and liberal arts to advance the practice of professional nursing and promote health equity.
- Deliver person-centered care to individuals and significant others based on scientific knowledge to promote positive outcomes and health care equity.
- Promote population health that spans the healthcare continuum.
- Engage in scholarship for the nursing discipline to improve health outcomes and transform healthcare.
- Provide safe, quality care using safety science principles to enhance quality and minimize harm to patients and providers.
- Engage in interprofessional partnerships through Intentional collaboration to optimize care, enhance the healthcare experience, and strengthen outcomes.
- Coordinate resources within a complex health system to provide diverse populations with safe, quality, and equitable care.
- Use informatics and communication technologies to provide care, gather data, drive decision-making, and support professional practice.
- Cultivate a sustainable, ethical, professional identity that reflects nursing’s attributes and values and self-awareness of implicit bias.
- Foster participation in activities and self-reflection to nurture personal, professional, and leadership development.