Master of Science
Nursing—Leadership and Management
For nurses who already hold an RN
Degree Overview
Our online graduate degree in nursing management will prepare you to make a tremendous contribution to the successful operation of healthcare facilities. This program incorporates coursework and the exam necessary to earn the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Nurse Executive Certificate. You will become an effective leader and manager for a variety of nursing settings.
Who the program is for:
- Registered nurses (RNs) who possess a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), have a current, unencumbered RN license, and wish to move into nursing administration.
Your program will be flexible and largely self-paced. Click here to learn how your program works.
What You’ll Learn -- Areas of Study:
In this online master’s in nursing management, you’ll learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed. This program includes five domains of study, the completion of a capstone project and a 40-hour practicum requirement in nursing management.
- Leadership/Management Specialization
- Foundations of Advanced Nursing Practice
- Policy, Organization, and Financing
- Role Development for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Research
The curriculum of this program incorporates mastery of competencies established by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for nurse administrator certification. The hallmarks of the program include: (a) research-evidence-based course preparation and (b) application to clinical practice in the student’s area of interest.
Total Program: 37 Competency Units (credit equivalents)
More
details about your challenging course of study
View the PDF program guide

Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.
- Can I complete my program entirely online?
- Is financial aid available?
- How will I complete my degree?
Can I complete my program entirely online?
Because this is a non-clinical degree program, the majority of your projects and assessments can be completed online—when and where it’s most convenient for you—making it ideal for a busy RN’s schedule. However, you will be required to complete applied learning projects in various community and healthcare settings. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to learn more.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, WGU offers federal financial aid. Loans are available to most students, regardless of financial need. Grants that don’t require repayment are also available for those with financial need. You can check into your financial aid eligibility at any time during the admissions process. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor or visit the Financial Aid section of the website.
How will I complete my degree?
As a WGU student, you take and complete assessments. You’ll prepare for your assessments by engaging various learning resources including textbooks, web tutorials, and online courses. You will determine what learning resources are best for you in consultation with your mentor using your personalized Academic Action Plan (AAP). You can learn more by exploring the WGU Experience. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this program in greater depth.