MS Nursing Leadership

Graduate studies at the master’s (MS) level place primary emphasis upon advanced professional nursing practice, theory, research and health care delivery systems. MS programs provide the student with a basis for further study at the doctoral level and are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 

Program Information

The MS Nursing Leadership (NLDR) program is offered fully online using synchronous and asynchronous delivery methods. Students can select one of two areas of emphasis: leadership in nursing education (NLDR-Educ) or leadership in nursing administration (NLDR-Admin). The program generally takes  4 semesters of full-time study or 6 semesters of part-time study to complete. It requires successful completion of 31 credits, including 16 credits of core courses and 15 credits in either the Education or Administration emphasis area.

Graduates of the NLDR-Educ emphasis, who have had two years of full-time academic teaching experience, are eligible to take the NLN Certified Nurse Educator exam for certification as a nurse educator.  Graduates of the NLDR-Admin emphasis, who have two years of executive nursing experience, are eligible to take the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) exam for certification in Executive Nursing Practice.

Note: Students who want to transfer in graduate coursework from another University should meet with a faculty advisor to determine if courses can be substituted or waived.  Waived courses need to have been taken within the last 5 years (from time of admission).

Major Requirements

Courses with an asterisk (*) may be taken prior to acceptance in the program, based on space availability and faculty approval. Only nine credits may be taken without formal acceptance to the program.

Required Core Courses

Areas of Emphasis

The Master of Science (MS) in Nursing Leadership prepares the licensed RN, with a baccalaureate degree in nursing, for a leadership role in either nursing education or administration. In addition to the core courses, students complete the courses below based on their area of emphasis.

• Leadership in Education (NLDR-educ)

  Leadership in Education (NLDR-educ)

  • NSG A640 Teaching and Learning in the Professional Context (3)
  • NSG A641 Developing Curriculum for Nursing and Other Professions (3)
  • NSG A643 Course and Curriculum Evaluation for Professionals (4)
  • NSG A644 Technology for Learning and Collaboration (2)
  • Elective Advisor-approved elective (3)
• Leadership in Administration (NLDR-admin)

  Leadership in Administration (NLDR-admin)

  • *NSG A613 Advanced Practice Informatics (2)
  • NSG A615 Health Services Organization and Finance (4)
  • Elective Advisor-approved elective (3)

   
  Select two courses from the following list (6)

  • HS A615 Health Services Administration (3)
  • HS/SWK A628 Program Evaluation (3)
  • PADM A601 Introduction to Public Administration (3)
  • PADM A603 Management Analysis (3)
  • PADM A610 Public and Non-Profit Organizational Behavior (3)
  • PADM A624 Human Resources Administration and Labor Relations (3)
  • PADM A688 Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement (3)

  
  NOTE: Some of the optional UAA PADM courses in the NLDR-ADMIN track are only delivered face-to-face; however, the same courses can be taken online through the University of Alaska Southeast.