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Health Care Leadership, M.S.N. - CPS, CPSO
Graduate
Health Care Leadership
Designed for registered nurses seeking to advance into leadership roles within diverse health care settings.
2026
Degree
Master of Science in Nursing
Location
Online
Courses
9*
Credit
30 hrs.*
Full-time
As few as 12 months
Part-time
Varies
College of Professional Studies
The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Health Care Leadership at the University of New Hampshire is designed for registered nurses seeking to advance into leadership roles within diverse health care settings. Our MSN aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based practice, and population health.
Delivered online with select blended options, the 30-credit curriculum can be completed in as little as 18 months, preparing graduates for advanced nursing leadership management and nursing education positions. See how to ensure out online programs are available to you.
*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.
College of Professional Studies
Contact Cards
What is Nursing Health Care Leadership?
The Master of Science in Nursing, Health Care Leadership provides opportunities to the registered nurses in New Hampshire and across the nation to earn a meaningful degree that will provide a clear pathway to work collaboratively with other professionals to improve health outcomes across diverse populations. The program is designed specifically from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials Series and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Why study Nursing Health Care Leadership at UNH College of Professional Studies?
More than ever, nurses are choosing to pursue their master’s degrees online. Nursing programs are rigorous, so having the flexibility of online courses helps accommodate the schedule of a busy, working nurse. The UNH College of Professional Studies' MSN in Health Care Leadership is available online, with select blended course options. This program will prepare you to lead change, promote health, and improve care for multiple populations. You’ll become a versatile nursing leader who can guide inter-professional teams in diverse health care environments.
Our program is fully aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing. Coursework builds upon the skills and knowledge gained in a BSN Nursing Degree, providing seamless progression to achieving the competencies required for advanced nursing positions.
Potential Career Areas
- Advanced Nursing Leadership and Management
- Nursing Education
Curriculum & Requirements
Program Description
Program Description
The Master of Science in Nursing, Health Care Leadership provides opportunities to the registered nurses in New Hampshire and across the nation to earn a meaningful degree that will provide a clear pathway to work collaboratively with other professionals to improve health outcomes across diverse populations. The program is designed specifically from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials Series and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Additional Admissions Criteria for Full Acceptance to the Health Care Leadership (M.S.N.) Program
- License: An active RN license issued from the state where the student is currently practicing; and
- Education: Graduate from a regionally and nationally accredited nursing program.
Health, Character, and Technical Standards
Technical standards have been established to inform the student of minimum standards needed to satisfactorily function in the program and ultimately succeed in the profession. Applicants who feel they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards listed should contact the Director to discuss individual cases. All academically qualified candidates will be considered for admission provided the technical standards for classroom and practice experiences can be met with reasonable accommodations. Subsequent evidence that a matriculated student is unable/unwilling to meet one or more of the standards, and thus unable to meet course objectives, may result in dismissal from the program.
The College must ensure that patients/clients of clinical affiliates are not placed in jeopardy by students during practice experiences. Therefore, students in practice experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and rapidly-changing circumstances that characterize the responsibilities of patient/client care. Furthermore, the student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor, staff nurse, or faculty member, establish rapport, and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with patients, their families, agency staff, faculty, and classmates. Applicants must also be in good physical and mental health to meet program objectives. Participation in classes and clinical experiences is expected. Technical standards are listed below:
- Sufficient hearing to assess patients’ health, understand instructions, identify emergency signals, and engage in telephone conversation;
- Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients, interpret data, ensure a safe environment, and read fine print;
- Sufficient speech and language ability to read, express, comprehend, and exchange information and ideas in English verbally, non-verbally, and in writing, and to interact clearly and logically with patients, health care professionals, family members, faculty, and peers;
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately in emergencies or unexpected situations, and to cope with variations in workload and stress levels;
- Sufficient emotional intelligence to exhibit empathy and compassion, to maintain productive relationships in online, classroom, and clinical settings, and to integrate direction, instruction, and criticism into behavior;
- Sufficient strength, endurance, and motor coordination to participate in course requirements;
- Sufficient information technology skills to complete assignments according to program standards;
- Personal transportation to and from clinical experiences;
- Compliance with health and immunization requirements and criminal background check verification process.
Requirements for the Program
Requirements for the Program
Degree Requirements
Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
Minimum GPA: 3.0
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Health Care Leadership 1 | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| NUR 802 | Translating and Integrating Research into Nursing Practice | 3 |
| LD 820 | Cultivating Your Leadership Capabilities | 3 |
| HLTC 802 | Advocacy and Health Policy | 3 |
| HLTC 801 | Health Care Financial Management | 3 |
| HLTC 810 | Health Care Quality and Safety | 3 |
| HLTC 811 | Health Care Technology and Informatics | 3 |
| NUR 812 | Interprofessional Collaboration for Population Health | 3 |
| Elective Course | ||
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
LD 804 | Leading Teams | |
LD 832 | Building Diverse & Multicultural Organizations | |
| Integrative Capstone | ||
| NUR 850 | Integrated Clinical Capstone for Nursing Leaders | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Graduate credit is only granted for courses completed with a grade of B- or higher
Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Integrate the practice of nursing with sciences and humanities to assess the unique needs of a diverse population and design, implement and evaluate a plan to impact the outcomes of nursing care within the population;
- Apply leadership competencies in the provision of safe, high quality and cost effective care to individuals, populations, or communities within the health care system;
- Analyze information from health care information systems related to quality initiatives that promote improved quality, cost, safety and health care outcomes;
- Communicate research and practice outcomes to advance clinical practice;
- Demonstrate competence in the analysis of current and emerging technologies that impact health care outcomes;
- Advocate for policies that lead to improved population health outcomes or the improvement of the quality of the health care system;
- Demonstrate caring, culturally responsive leadership communication both written and verbally, capable of effectively leading interprofessional teams;
- Advocate for ethical health care practice through effective communication with interprofessional teams and stakeholders;
- Demonstrate competence in the advanced practice as a nursing leader to promote improvement in health care outcomes for individuals, systems, or populations.
- Nurse Leadership Concentration Expected Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate ability to lead initiatives that promote culturally competent and ethical care that promotes health and improvement of health among individuals, populations, or communities;
- Implement and evaluate practice change based on innovative evidence-based nursing practice;
- Demonstrate competency in financial management, human resource management, and strategic and operational planning within the health care setting.
Disclosures
Disclosures
Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures
This is a non-licensure degree program. No additional license is required to practice in this field.
Visit the Office of the Registrar's website for more information about university programs that lead to professional licensure or certification eligibility.
Application Requirements & Deadlines
Application Requirements & Deadlines
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline October 24
- Spring: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline March 20
- Summer: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline May 23
- Special: N/A
Application Fee: Application fee waived for CPS Online applicants.
Campus: Online
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Resume
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
- Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
- Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
Course Highlights
- Advocacy and Health Policy
- Translating and Integrating Research into Nursing Practice
- Health Care Quality and Safety
- Health Care Technology Informatics
- Interprofessional Collaboration for Population Health
- …and more!
Finding Confidence and Courage: Amanda's Story
With three kids and a busy health care industry work schedule, Amanda Mas had to overcome many personal challenges on her journey to complete her bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing at the UNH College of Professional Studies. Learn more about Amanda's story!
Opportunities to Advance
The UNH College of Professional Studies offers a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate study. Designed for the working adult, UNH CPS offers graduate certificates and master’s degrees delivered online by scholars-practitioner faculty. Receive a supportive, world-class education that fits your lifestyle, goals, and budget.
Accreditation
The master’s degree program in nursing at the College of Professional Studies is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Our MSN program offers you the opportunity to maximize your existing nursing expertise, apply what you learn on the job, and connect your studies to your professional goals, empowering you to make a difference as an innovative nursing leader and educator.
Our mission is to prepare registered nurses to meet the dynamic health care needs of diverse populations in New Hampshire and beyond while working in collaborative, inter-professional, and evidence-based practice environments.
We also offer a dual credit opportunity for our RN to BSN student, creating a high-quality, affordable, and efficient educational pathway.
Key Benefits of UNH CPS Online
Advantages
Advantages
- Available online with select on-campus courses
- Five terms – eight-week courses
- Among the most affordable online programs in New England and nationwide
- Exclusive tuition benefits for employer partnerships
- Nationally and regionally accredited
- Military Friendly®
- Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE)
- The nursing programs at UNH CPS are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (ccneaccreditation.org)
- Available online with select blended or hybrid courses
- Affordable tuition
- Career counseling is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options.
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, helping you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career.
Health, Character, and Technical Standards
Health, Character, and Technical Standards
Technical standards have been established to inform the student of minimum standards needed to satisfactorily function in the program and ultimately succeed in the profession. Applicants who feel they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards listed should contact the Director to discuss individual cases. All academically qualified candidates will be considered for admission provided the technical standards for classroom and practice experiences can be met with reasonable accommodations. Subsequent evidence that a matriculated student is unable/unwilling to meet one or more of the standards, and thus unable to meet course objectives, may result in dismissal from the program.
The College must ensure that patients/clients of clinical affiliates are not placed in jeopardy by students during practice experiences. Therefore, students in practice experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and rapidly-changing circumstances that characterize the responsibilities of patient/client care. Furthermore, the student is expected to have the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor, staff nurse, or faculty member, establish rapport, and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with patients, their families, agency staff, faculty, and classmates. Applicants must also be in good physical and mental health to meet program objectives. Participation in classes and clinical experiences is expected. Technical standards are listed below:
- Sufficient hearing to assess patients’ health, understand instructions, identify emergency signals, and engage in telephone conversation.
- Sufficient visual acuity to observe patients, interpret data, ensure a safe environment, and read fine print.
- Sufficient speech and language ability to read, express, comprehend, and exchange information and ideas in English verbally, non-verbally, and in writing, and to interact clearly and logically with patients, health care professionals, family members, faculty, and peers.
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately in emergencies or unexpected situations, and to cope with variations in workload and stress levels.
- Sufficient emotional intelligence to exhibit empathy and compassion, to maintain productive relationships in online, classroom, and clinical settings, and to integrate direction, instruction, and criticism into behavior.
- Sufficient strength, endurance, and motor coordination to participate in course requirements.
- Sufficient information technology skills to complete assignments according to program standards.
- Personal transportation to and from clinical experiences.
- Compliance with health and immunization requirements and criminal background check verification process.
Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures
Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures
Visit our website to see whether our program meets your professional licensure requirements.
How to Ensure Our Online Programs are Available to You
Students who reside outside of New Hampshire must possess an active RN license from the state where you are currently practicing. Some states may restrict practice requirements for degree completion. You are responsible for verifying these restrictions. See Availability in Your State for full details.
If you live in or move to a state not listed, please check with an advisor. We are working to expand the number of states in which our nursing programs are offered.
UNH Nursing Programs
For a complete listing of all UNH Nursing programs, including additional online and on-campus offerings, please visit the College of Health & Human Services at https://chhs.unh.edu/nursing
Tuition Savings for Alumni
Did you receive your undergraduate degree from the College of Professional Studies? If so, you may be eligible for our 10% alumni when you apply for a graduate degree from the College of Professional Studies.