Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Executive Leadership Online

Broaden your influence in healthcare by combining advanced nursing practices with business and management expertise. This career-focused online program helps accelerate your path to senior leadership roles.

Apply by: 2/20/26
Start class: 3/14/26 Apply Now

Program Overview

Elevate your career outlook through the online master’s in nurse executive leadership program

The online Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Executive Leadership program at St. Thomas University empowers you to drive transformational change in the healthcare industry. Instruction by our supportive faculty enhances your ability to foster strategic partnerships, manage conflicts, and improve organizational outcomes across a wide range of real-world healthcare settings.

Benefit from easily accessible online coursework that emphasizes the importance of scholarly research, leadership theories as they apply to nursing management, financial processes, and HR competencies. The CCNE-accredited MSN Nurse Executive Leadership program supports your pursuit of professional certification and equips you with the real-world management experience needed to lead at the highest levels of nursing.

Learning Outcomes

  • Collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals from various disciplines to enhance patient care and organizational efficiency
  • Develop skills in communication, negotiation, and team management to lead diverse healthcare teams successfully
  • Gain real-world leadership experience under the guidance of a seasoned nurse executive
  • Develop the research skills needed to critically analyze and synthesize relevant literature in the area of a specific phenomenon
  • Examine how health policies are formulated, how to affect this process, and how it impacts clinical practice and healthcare delivery
  • Collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals from various disciplines to enhance patient care and organizational efficiency
  • Develop skills in communication, negotiation, and team management to lead diverse healthcare teams successfully
  • Gain real-world leadership experience under the guidance of a seasoned nurse executive
  • Develop the research skills needed to critically analyze and synthesize relevant literature in the area of a specific phenomenon
  • Examine how health policies are formulated, how to affect this process, and how it impacts clinical practice and healthcare delivery

Nursing Leadership Career Opportunities

  • Nurse Executive
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Director of Nursing
  • Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
  • Nurse Executive
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Director of Nursing
  • Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Total Tuition $23,635*
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 37

Accreditation

CCNE Accredited Program

The baccalaureate degree, master's degree, Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and post-graduate certificate programs in nursing at St. Thomas University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

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Need More Information?

Call 855-215-4021

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Tuition

Pay your affordable tuition one course at a time

Tuition for the MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and can be paid by the course. The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course and lab fees for specific nursing courses. Tuition costs are subject to change at any time.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $23,635*
Per Credit Hour $605

Calendar

Add these key dates and deadlines to your calendar

The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that's best for you.

TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Spring 23/14/262/20/262/27/263/6/263/18/265/8/267 weeks

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 2/20/26
Class Starts 3/14/26

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Admissions

Submit your streamlined application for the online master’s in nurse executive leadership program

Our very reasonable admission requirements allow students from diverse academic backgrounds greater access to the MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program. You must possess an unencumbered RN license, a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school, and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Only students currently residing in Florida and Georgia can enter this program.

Admission Requirements:

  • Free Application
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Active RN License

The following are required for admission to the MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program:

  • Completed free application
  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited nursing school
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
  • 3.0 or higher GPA
  • Active and unencumbered Florida or Georgia nursing license
  • Residency in Florida or Georgia

Official transcripts can be sent to St. Thomas University through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. Unofficial transcripts and other documents can be uploaded via your Admissions Portal or emailed to [email protected].

This program is only offered in Florida and Georgia.

Courses

Build advanced expertise through online MSN Nurse Executive Leadership coursework

The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online curriculum is comprised of 10 core courses for a total of 37 credits.

Courses in this program are seven weeks long. Courses during the two summer terms, however, are six weeks long.

Students will take the following courses.

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on influencing public policy related to the health system and resources at the state/national/global level. Emphasis will be placed on how health policies are formulated, how to affect this process, and how it impacts clinical practice and health care delivery.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critically appraise health policies proposals and policies that encompass ethics, global health, health care disparities, uninsured, under-insured, complex health care financing issues, and the health care reform (Affordable Care Act).
  • Analyze and discuss health services research, evidence-based practice policy and politics for implementation at the institutional, local, state, and federal level.
  • Articulate social justice, health equity, and new policy issues to improve care delivery, patient outcomes, and the profession of nursing.
  • Utilize leadership skills when developing and implementing policies in the workplace, government, professional organizations, and the community.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores nursing as an art and science; and how knowledge has developed relevant to phenomena of interest. Each student will develop skills needed to critically analyze and synthesize relevant literature in the area of a specific phenomenon. Throughout the course, the student will enhance the skills to translate evidenced based research into evidenced based practice, while evaluating research project outcomes through discussions. The student will acquire skills in learning interrelationship between nursing theory, research, and practice along with the nature of scientific knowledge. The students will enrich their critical analysis and theory in the development of evidence-based advanced practice nursing protocols.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critique and assess theories and conceptual models from nursing and related fields.
  • Provide high-quality care to clients using the appropriate theories from the field of nursing.
  • Effectively implement the principles of research and evidence-based practice.
  • Understand the application of both classic and modern literature on development and implementation of Middle Range Theory and evidence-based practice (EBP).
  • Critically appraise research study and articulate findings.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Analyze the complexities of health service delivery to diverse populations using social ecological models to provide a deeper understanding of the impacts of health policy, social justice, structural inequities, and the value systems of diverse groups, as well as variables related to gender, age, lifestyle, religion, culture, social class, race, and, geography

Learning Outcomes

  • Employ culturally competent care practices for self, individuals, and families.
  • Describe conceptual models and theories of cultural diversity and analyze the cultural patterns and behaviors of cultural values of diverse populations.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will provide a forum for the student to examine the roles of the advanced practice nurse. The content will include professional practice issues for the advanced practice nurse, working independently and collaborating with other health care professionals within the multidisciplinary/multiagency team. This course will also look at the scope of practice, professional responsibilities, informatics, and financial aspects of advanced practice.

Learning Outcomes

  • Articulate marketing and negotiating strategies to promote acceptance of the advance practice nurse within the practice management system.
  • Investigate ethical issues and the cope of practice that governs the advanced practice nurse in Florida and/or other states.
  • Evaluate the interprofessional collaborative healthcare team function of the Advanced Practice Nurse.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course offers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students seeking a concentration in nurse executive (NE) leadership an opportunity to learn and practice the NE leadership skills and competencies required for knowledge of the health care environment. This includes practice and application of care delivery models, recognition of both internal and external influences, importance of quality and safety measures, and prioritization of both short- and long-term organizational interests using economic strategies to integrate macro- and micro health care policy influences utilizing applicable regulations, statutes, evidence-based practice, and informational sciences. 80 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course offers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Executive candidates an in-depth exploration of Transformational leadership, aiming to cultivate the essential skills and knowledge needed for leadership within healthcare organizations. Students will explore the theories and principles of transformational leadership and their practical applications to nursing management and policy. Topics will include fostering a culture of innovation, driving change in complex systems, empowering teams, enhancing communication, and addressing ethical considerations in leadership. Students will learn to identify and develop leadership qualities that inspire and motivate others, ultimately promoting high-quality patient care and improved organizational outcomes. By the end of the course, graduates will be prepared to lead with confidence and adapt to the evolving challenges in the healthcare landscape. 80 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Executive (NE) students the opportunity to learn and practice the necessary healthcare industry business skills and principles such as financial management, strategic planning, and human resource management skills and competencies. This includes practice and application of financial processes, economic applications (e.g., finance, accounting, bond ratings, and operational margins), data gathering and application, identification of strategic objectives, contract management, diversity of workforce, and establishing mechanisms to support workforce professional growth. 80 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course examines the role of interprofessional collaboration in advancing safe, high-quality patient care and improving healthcare outcomes across diverse settings. Emphasizing complex decision-making and evidence-based practice, the course prepares nursing leaders to spearhead initiatives that integrate advanced communication, quality improvement strategies, and patient-care technologies. Students will cultivate skills in advocating collaborative, patient-centered policies that promote health equity, with a focus on system-level approaches to healthcare delivery. 80 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 4
This course offers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Executive (NE) students an opportunity to learn and practice the skills and competencies needed in communication and relationship management. This includes effective communication, influence on behaviors, and relationship management. Skills and competencies practices will include communicating effectively with transparency, creating a consensus toward a common goal, fostering strategic partnerships, managing conflicts, and incorporating organizational influence(s) into stakeholder interactions. 80 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 5
This course will allow the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Nurse Executive (NE) candidate to practice the skills and competencies necessary to lead and manage a health care organization. The candidate will demonstrate the American Organization of Nurse Leaders (AONL) Nurse Executive Leadership Competencies and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) 2021 Advanced Level Essentials through a research and/or evidence-based practice application practicum utilizing a mentor/preceptor to assist with guiding the candidate in successful project implementation and evaluation. 100 clinical hours will be completed in this course.
STU Program Badge

STU is ranked #80 in the “Best Regional Universities South” by U.S. News & World Report, 2022

*The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course and lab fees for specific courses. Tuition costs are subject to change at any time.

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