Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Leadership Program

Pursue impactful leadership roles across a variety of health care settings.

  • CCNE-accredited — Our online MSN Leadership program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  • 567 clinical hours — Strengthen your leadership capabilities through hands-on practice, supported by a dedicated clinical placement specialist.
  • Complete in as few as 12 months — Choose between a full-time track (12 months) or a part-time track (24 months).

Earn Your Online MSN and Become a Nurse Leader

Since 1902, Simmons School of Nursing has empowered nurses to drive change in their communities. Designed for licensed registered nurses (RNs) who hold a BSN or a bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing, the Online MSN, Leadership enables you to build on your clinical foundation while preparing for influential leadership roles in nursing. 

With an emphasis on real-world application, you’ll explore critical topics such as health care economics, informatics, and quality improvement. Through this advanced coursework, you’ll develop the skills needed to lead teams, inform strategic decision-making, implement evidence-based improvements, and advance equitable, high-quality care.

34123 567
Total credits
Total courses
Start dates per year
Clinical hours

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and the post-graduate FNP and PMHNP certificate programs at Simmons University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791 (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). The Simmons University Nursing Program is fully approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Who Should Pursue an MSN, Leadership?

At Simmons, both our MSN Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and MSN, Leadership pathways lead to a Master of Science in Nursing, but they are designed to support different professional goals: 

Nurses who want to provide direct patient care, diagnose conditions, prescribe treatment, and prepare for APRN certification are best suited to a clinical FNP track. 

The MSN, Leadership track is designed for nurses who want to build on their clinical experience while preparing for teaching or administrative roles that influence health care delivery, organizational strategy, team performance, and patient outcomes.

Want to Earn Your DNP?

The BSN to Online Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) program at Simmons University enables students to earn an MSN, Leadership as part of their doctoral studies.

You can choose from three DNP tracks based on your career goals:

  • Executive Leadership
  • Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Through the program, you’ll build advanced nursing leadership skills while developing specialised expertise aligned with your chosen track. Earning your MSN, Leadership along the way can also help prepare you for leadership opportunities as you progress toward your DNP.

Learn more about the Simmons Online BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice. 

Which Online MSN, Leadership Schedule Is Right for You? 

The Online MSN, Leadership program allows you to complete your studies on either a full- or part-time basis, meaning you can tailor your learning journey to your schedule. Students in the part-time track can complete the program in as few as 6 terms; those in the full-time track can complete the program in as few as 3 terms. 

Regardless of the pace they choose, all students must complete:

  • 34 credits
  • 567 clinical hours

Note: While clinical hours are in-person experiences, no on-campus immersions are required.

What Does the Online MSN, Leadership Curriculum Cover?

Available in both full-time (12 months) and part-time (24 months) formats, the Online MSN, Leadership curriculum is crafted to holistically prepare students for the realities of leadership practice. Throughout the program, students learn to:

Analyze complex health care systems

Evaluate the budget planning process and its impact on organizational performance

Interpret data to inform quality improvement initiatives

Build and lead diverse health care teams that deliver effective and equitable patient-centered care

Assess organizational policies and practices to support nursing leadership and professional growth

Students develop these competencies through courses such as:

Health Care Economics and Finance

Advanced Nursing Leadership Concepts

Research Methods

Nursing Leadership and Management

Evidence-Based Practice: Informatics

Introduction to Nursing Leadership

Quality Improvement in Health Care

Leadership Clinical Course I

Leadership Clinical Course II

Advanced Leadership Clinical Course III

Scholarly Inquiry

Built to strengthen leadership capabilities, build financial and operational acumen, and enhance data-driven decision-making, the program prepares graduates to improve patient outcomes, lead organizational initiatives, and drive meaningful change across health care settings.

To learn more about the MSN, Leadership curriculum, view the course details here.

Clinical Placements

The clinical placement component of this program comprises 567 clinical hours, providing an opportunity to apply the theory explored throughout your coursework in real-world settings. During your placement, you’ll develop clinical skills related to leadership and management in nursing, self-awareness and emotional intelligence, communication, team dynamics and collaboration, and organizational structure and culture.

To facilitate your placement in or near your community, you’ll be partnered with a dedicated clinical placement specialist who will help coordinate your experience.

Ready to speak to a dedicated enrollment specialist?    

Request information

What Are the Application Requirements? 

To be considered for admission to the MSN, Leadership program, you must: 

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university
  • Have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (preferred) 
  • Have successfully completed a three-credit course in statistics within the last seven years (with a grade of C+ or better) 
  • Have a current, unencumbered, and unrestricted U.S. registered nurse (RN) license in an approved state

View all MSN, Leadership Application Requirements.

How Does Admission to the Online Program Work?

We offer three start dates throughout the year (January, May, and September), and admissions are processed on a rolling basis. Once you begin your application, you’ll be paired with a dedicated enrollment specialist who can guide you through the admission process and answer any questions you may have about the program.

The final application deadline for the January 2027 cohort is November 12, 2026.

Request Information
Start Your Application

Tuition

Tuition for the Online MSN, Leadership program is based on the annual cost per credit multiplied by the total number of credits required to graduate. Tuition for the 2026–2027 academic year is as follows:

ProgramCreditsCost Per CreditTotal
Master of Science in Nursing, Leadership
34
$1,288
$43,792

To learn more about tuition and scholarship options, visit the Tuition & Financial Aid page. 

Want to learn more about ways you could fund your MSN, Leadership?  

Request information

Who Will You Learn From? 

Guided by a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of nursing leaders for patient-centered practice, our distinguished faculty are experienced practitioners and researchers who integrate extensive real-world nursing expertise into their teaching, scholarship, and mentorship.

Visit our detailed faculty profile pages below to learn more about the faculty who’ll serve as your mentors throughout the program

Faculty Spotlights

Heather Shlosser

Dean
School of Nursing

Sarah Volkman

Professor
School of Nursing

Tanya Cohn

Associate Professor
School of Nursing

Want to learn more about our distinguished faculty?     

Request information

What Could Your Career as a Nursing Leader Look Like?

Given their advanced education, MSN, Leadership graduates are well prepared to pursue leadership roles across health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and group medical practices.

As for career outlook, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23% from 2024 to 2034,1 which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Salary Outcomes for Nurse Leaders

According to the most recent data provided by the BLS, the mean annual wage for Medical and Health Services Managers is $117,960.2

Supportive Nursing Education, Designed to Fit Students’ Lives

The Simmons Online MSN, Leadership program is designed to help nurses earn their degree while continuing to provide care in their communities. To support working nurses in balancing academic and professional priorities, the program incorporates a number of features that were implemented based on student feedback:

Predictable, standardized course schedules  Clinical placement team
Live courses are held on the same designated days of the week throughout the program for predictable scheduling that allows students to plan around work and life.
Students partner with a dedicated clinical placement specialist to find clinical sites and preceptors for rotations in or near their communities.
Course delivery that prioritizes RN lifestyles and learning outcomes Continuous support and coaching
Courses are designed to help students learn in the way best for them and are structured with our students’ busy schedules in mind. 

Many courses offer flexible attendance options, allowing students to attend the live lecture or view the recording at a time that is more convenient for them.
In addition to our knowledgeable and accessible faculty, students have a dedicated academic advisor and student success specialist for help and guidance outside the classroom.

Ready to Lead in Nursing?

Simmons University’s Online MSN, Leadership prepares nurses to step into leadership roles and help shape the future of health care. Through focused leadership coursework, real-world learning experiences, and dedicated faculty support, you’ll build the strategic, financial, and organizational skills to lead teams, improve health care systems, and drive meaningful change. Learn more today.

FAQs About Simmons University’s Online MSN Programs

  • Yes. Simmons University offers an online MSN specifically designed to prepare working nurses for high-impact administrative roles. While Simmons offers multiple online nursing pathways, our Nursing Leadership track features a “high-touch” digital model with live, synchronous sessions focused on organizational strategy, fiscal responsibility, and health policy. However, the program’s required clinical placement hours must be performed in-person.

  • Twelve to 24 months. The timeline for your MSN depends on your preferred learning schedule. Our leadership track is streamlined and can be completed in as few as 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. This flexibility allows you to choose an academic pace that best balances your graduate studies with your current professional responsibilities.

  • Absolutely. Simmons University maintains a consistent standard of excellence across all learning formats. Our Online MSN programs are designed to align with the rigorous professional competencies and strategic learning outcomes for which the university is known. 

    You will engage with expert faculty through a digital model that focuses entirely on the leadership, analytics, and organizational skills required to influence modern health care systems. Your diploma will officially state that you have earned your degree from Simmons University, representing a respected credential that carries weight with health care hiring managers nationwide.

  • An MSN and an RN are different types of credentials and cannot be directly compared. An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) is a graduate-level academic degree, while RN (Registered Nurse) refers to a nursing license.

    Registered nurses may pursue an MSN to develop advanced knowledge and skills for their career goals. Depending on the MSN program or specialization, graduate-level nursing education may prepare nurses for opportunities in areas such as leadership, advanced clinical practice, education, or other specialized roles.

  • While “harder” is subjective, an MSN, Leadership graduate-level study that builds on the knowledge and skills developed through previous nursing education and experience. The curriculum places greater emphasis on areas such as health care systems, leadership, informatics, quality improvement, and strategic decision-making.

    Throughout the program, students learn from experienced faculty and receive support from a dedicated academic advisor as they progress through their graduate studies.

  • Salary can vary based on factors such as role, experience, location, employer, and area of practice. While earning an MSN may prepare nurses to pursue advanced roles that can have higher median salaries, completing an advanced degree does not guarantee a salary increase.

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,3 registered nurses earn a median annual wage of approximately $93,600. By comparison, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners earn a median annual wage of $132,050.4 Actual salaries and career opportunities vary by individual circumstances and position.

  • An MSN in Leadership can prepare nurses to pursue leadership and management opportunities across health care organizations. Depending on their experience and career goals, graduates may pursue roles such as chief nursing officer (CNO), clinical director, nurse manager, or other health care leadership positions.

    In these roles, nursing leaders may oversee teams, contribute to organizational strategy, support quality improvement initiatives, and help shape policies and practices that improve health care delivery and patient outcomes.

  • An MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) is a graduate-level nursing degree, while a nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice nursing role. To become an NP, nurses first complete an appropriate graduate-level educational pathway, such as an MSN, DNP or postgraduate certificate, and then pursue the required certification and state licensure.

    At Simmons, eligible students can pursue educational pathways designed to prepare them for NP certification and licensure in specialties such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Requirements for certification and licensure vary by state and individual circumstances.

  • Yes. You are never expected to coordinate your site details on your own. Simmons provides a dedicated placement specialist who works collaboratively with you to identify and vet qualified health care systems, corporate settings, or public health agencies in or near your community. We manage the outreach and legal contracts to ensure your clinical leadership placement meets our high institutional standards for hands-on, executive-level learning.

  • The value of a Simmons degree extends beyond the curriculum to include the university’s reputation and student support. While public universities may offer different tuition structures, Simmons provides a high-touch learning experience that includes live online classes and dedicated support throughout the program.

  1. Medical and Health Services Managers. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
  2. Medical and Health Services Managers. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
  3. Registered Nurses. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎
  4. Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners. (2025). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved June 2026. ↩︎