Want to talk to someone?
MS in Nursing Leadership
Credits Required
35
COST
$931.50/credit*
*Subject to change without notice
DELIVERY
Online
START TERMS
Fall
Nurse leaders have specialized knowledge and skills to lead health systems, policy, and practice change. Our MS in Nursing Leadership focuses on helping you gain leadership skills to impact and lead nursing practice, influence health policy, think and act strategically, and guide health system change to address 21st-century health issues.
As a master's student in the Nursing Leadership track, you will experience:
- Mentoring and support by nursing faculty with real-world experience
- Preparation to lead nurses and other health professionals through health system change
- Courses that will prepare you to sit for the AONL & ANCC Nurse Leader Certifications
- 100% online course access, with practicum experiences in your community
- Options for full - or part-time programs of study
* Tuition subject to change. See Tuition tab below for more information.
Leaving UOnline Site
This program can be completed in-person or as a UOnline student. Some of the information on the program’s webpage may not apply to UOnline. Learn more about the difference between UOnline and on-campus programs. If you still have questions, please contact our UOnline team by filling out the "Request information" form on the website.
At the University of Utah, our courses combine the flexibility of online teaching with the advantages and direct engagement of traditional teaching. Enjoy the benefit of studying online at your own pace while still engaging with classmates and instructors. This flexible way of teaching improves your overall experience and your ability to retain what you learn.
Interactive learning comes in a variety of ways:
- Group assignments, where you collaborate via email, a discussion forum, or Zoom Web meetings to answer a problem set or design something new.
- Contributions to a discussion forum, where you directly respond to previous posts.
- Peer reviews, where you review and comment on assignments from other students.
Our classes also offer multiple routes to stay connected and get help:
- Communicate directly with the instructor via email.
- Participate in and guide online discussions.
- Attend online office hours in discussion threads or on the phone.
- Instructors are available in “real” office hours for students on or near campus; for some courses we offer Q&A sessions in a classroom.
Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
The full-time program of study is 4 semesters and 35 credit hours. Most students work part- or full-time while in the program. The program is taught in an online, asynchronous format, allowing you the flexibility you need. The 500 hours of leadership residency is completed with nurse leaders and educators, letting you practice and apply what you are learning in the real world.
To graduate, the student must complete the required graduate program and leadership courses included in the program of study.
Total program tuition at current rates: $32,602.50* ($931.50 per credit x 35 credits)
- Tuition rate is current as of Fall 2022. Tuition is subject to change. Changes typically occur in the summer but can happen at any time.
- Please note tuition does not include additional fees such as online textbooks or proctored exams. Fees and materials vary by program. Please refer to the tuition estimator for a better idea of the cost per semester.
*Subject to change without notice
This program qualifies for the U of U employee reduced tuition benefit.
- The job demand for master's graduates in nursing administration has seen an increasing trend since 2018. The demand in the US has been growing at a compound annual growth rate* (CAGR) of 7% in the last six years. The West and the United States saw a 3:1 job posting intensity in 2022, indicating good demand.
- There were 1,995 unique job postings in the country in the last 12 months for master's graduates in nursing administration. The demand for nursing administrator job titles (Directors of Nursing, Chief Nursing Officers, Nursing Managers, Nursing Administrators, Nurse Administrators, Chief Nursing Executives, and Nurse Consultants) has been increasing in the United States in the last 3 years.
- It is important to note that 46% of the unique job postings in the West in the last 12 months preferred candidates with a master’s degree in nursing administration.
- The 2022 median salary for master's graduates in nursing administration in the West was $120,600. The national median salary has grown by 15% in the last six years.
- Research found there is a higher demand for master's graduates in nursing administration, and it is likely that this demand will remain high given the expected 13% health occupations job growth between 2021-2031.
Go here for the most current details and links to apply to the program: Graduate admissions
The following are the minimum requirements needed to apply:
- Be licensed to practice as a registered nurse or advanced practice registered nurse
- Completed application for graduate admission
- Transcripts from ANY and ALL colleges and universities attended, including the University of Utah, must be uploaded as part of the graduate application
- Evidence of a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a regionally accredited university or college, and a nationally accredited nursing school from either:
- The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Accreditation (CCNE), or
- The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- A current resume or curriculum vitae
- Three (3) professional references
- Professional goal statement