MSN in Nursing Leadership
Curriculum
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MSN-NL Curriculum Overview
MSN-NL is a 36-unit program designed 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 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.
Students may also choose a specialty track in Nursing Education or Informatics, which requires an additional 9 units of coursework completed over two extra 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 take one 7-week class at a time. Courses are taken year-round in the spring, summer, and fall terms. Practicums take place over a full 14-week 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. Course materials are readily available, so you can complete assignments at your convenience.
Students may also choose to pursue a specialization in Nursing Education or Informatics, which requires extra coursework over two additional terms.
Completion of an introductory statistics course may be required. If 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:
Note: A few course unit values may vary slightly for students pursuing a specialty track in Nursing Education or Informatics. The total number of units for students choosing a specialty track will be 45 units.
| 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 |
Technology Requirement
All students in the MSN-NL program are required to have unrestricted access to a Windows- or Mac-based computer by the start of their first term.
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 require an extra 9 units of coursework over an additional two terms.
Nursing Educator
Gain the expertise to train the next generation of nurses, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to promote patient safety, health, and well-being. Qualify for faculty and clinical educator roles, and play a vital part in addressing the nationwide nursing faculty shortage.
Informatics
Combine nursing science with data and technology to optimize healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. Students will gain expertise in technology integration, data management, and healthcare leadership, preparing them to lead innovations in healthcare informatics.
Clinical Practicums
Clinical practicums begin in the second term and span 14 weeks each. Students complete four clinical practicums over the course of the program, culminating in 500 total clinical hours.
Under the guidance of experienced preceptors in nursing leadership roles, students set attainable, time-sensitive SMART goals that align with both the program outcomes and their individual leadership aspirations. The final practicum serves as a capstone experience within the systems-based practice course, allowing students to synthesize and apply the knowledge gained throughout the program.
Students are supported in securing clinical placements that match their career trajectory or leadership goals. The clinical placement may remain consistent or evolve throughout the program, depending on the student’s progress and needs. If you already have a preferred site or preceptor in mind—or would like to complete your placement at your current workplace—our team will work closely with you and your site to determine an appropriate fit and secure a placement that aligns with program expectations.
Degree Plan
Degree candidates are admitted throughout the year and begin the program in the spring, summer, or fall. Students typically take two courses per 14-week term, focusing on one 7-week course at a time. Practicums span the full 14 weeks of the term. This program is designed to 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 healthcare professionals with deep expertise in nursing leadership. They are dedicated to student success, offering 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.