University of Kentucky®
Masters Degree (MSN) in
Nursing - Healthcare Systems Leadership
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 38
CREDENTIALS MSN Degree
COST PER CREDIT
$815.50
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Masters Degrees
- Nursing - Healthcare Systems Leadership (MSN)
About this Program
Expand your nursing expertise and advance your career towards a management position. Our online MSN program will prepare you to engage in higher level practice and leadership.
All coursework is completed online. The Healthcare Systems Leadership program requires 360 clinical hours (NUR 736, NUR 731) plus 180 hours of capstone project work (NUR 660). Students are required to complete clinical coursework at an approved site location (often this is the student’s employer). The College of Nursing will work with students to confirm if their clinical site is approved for clinical hours.
Designed For
This program is for experienced nurses who aspire to advance into leadership roles within healthcare organizations. Prospective students often have a strong background in nursing and are committed to improving healthcare delivery, policy development, and patient outcomes through effective leadership and management skills.
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Learn more about the Nursing - Healthcare Systems Leadership online program.
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Fill out this form to be sent information on the Masters (MSN) in Nursing - Healthcare Systems Leadership program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
The curriculum will emphasizes leadership effectiveness in micro and meso organizational/systems/settings, evidence-based management, quality/safety, information management expertise, and strategies to make organizational changes. Research utilization, evidence-based practice, and leadership are emphasized throughout the program.
Graduates will be primed to:
- Design innovative nursing practices,
- Lead change to improve quality outcomes,
- Build and lead collaborative interprofessional care teams,
- Navigate and integrate care services across the healthcare system,
- Translate evidence into practice,
- Evaluate population health and design strategies for improvement, and
- Advance personal, professional, and leadership development through lifelong learning
Course Examples
- EPE/EDP 557 Gathering, Analyzing and Using Educational Data
- NUR 602 Research Methods in Advanced Practice Nursing
- NUR 610 Nursing Leadership In Health Care
- NUR 607 Measuring, Managing, and Improving Population Health
- NUR 730 Leading Change: Seminar
- NUR 619 Quality And Safety In Nursing And Healthcare
- NUR 614 Economic and Financial Aspects of Clinical and Population-Based Health Care Delivery Systems
- NUR 731 Leading Change: Practicum
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a CCNE or NLN accredited program.
- Unencumbered RN licensure required in/for the state where clinicals take place.
- Undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale*
* In instances where exemplary practice has been established and/or the applicant has successfully completed post-graduate work, a provisional admission may be considered for applicants with a GPA below 3.0. This will be evaluated case-by-case based on the number of qualified applicants for each admission cycle. Students admitted provisionally must complete the first (9) hours of MSN course requirements with a grade of B or better in each course to remain in the program.
Exemplary practice is defined as a comprehensive understanding of the role of nursing, the application of that role with patients/families/communities/interdisciplinary team and the application of new knowledge and evidence to continuously drive practice forward which will be evaluated by application material and interview results. (American Nurses Credentialing Center, 2019)
Application Requirements
- Three references attesting to the applicant's expertise in nursing or health care. Faculty prefer professional references from a former nursing faculty member or advisor if available, one or two from a manager/director/leader from their work setting, and no more than one from a peer. (Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)
- Personal interview(s)
- Current, active, unencumbered and unrestricted RN license in each US state where practice or clinical experiences occur. The RN license cannot have any restrictions on licensure which would preclude meeting the requirements of the degree program and required clinical rotations.
- Goal statement: Please write a one to two page double spaced essay describing what you would bring to our educational community, the advanced practice nursing profession and the community you seek to serve. Include your short- and long-term professional goals. Identify and discuss a health system or organizational issue/problem you wish to expand your knowledge on during your MSN program.
- Scholarly written work: An example of scholarly written work, completed within three years of application, related to nursing that demonstrates excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly and logically.
- Samples of scholarly work: formal research paper written in your BSN program; published article on a nursing issue; or paper written on a nursing issue of interest to you
- Current curriculum vitae/resume
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
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Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the program, curriculum and faculty
The Master of Science in Nursing Healthcare Systems Leadership online program allows me to become a Wildcat while serving my country in operational and deployed settings all around the world. By expanding my knowledge in health care systems, I can help accomplish the mission of the hospital’s leaders while advocating for the goals and needs of nursing manager.
Aaron J. LuekeWhy UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
No test scores required.
Degrees are conferred by the University of Kentucky, an accredited university.
Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.
Access supporting services and success coaches to help you succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Curriculum
What is a capstone project?
A capstone project is a comprehensive, culminating assignment that integrates and applies the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. It typically involves a significant research project, case study, or practical application that demonstrates the student’s ability to tackle complex problems in their field of study.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Will this program lead to licensure in my state?
Students should consult with their licensure board to verify if this program will meet licensure requirements for the state in which they will practice. UK has assembled a database of licensure information for different states. However, the ultimate responsibility for verifying this information prior to enrollment lies with the student.
Internship / Practicum
Can I use my work as my clinical requirement?
The answer is most often yes! Students are required to complete clinical coursework at an approved site location (often this is the student’s employer). The College of Nursing will work with students to confirm if their clinical site is approved for clinical hours.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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