Become an Effective Nurse Leader with a Master’s Degree

The online MSN degree in Nursing Leadership and Management prepares students for advanced leadership roles by developing independent expertise in the critical analysis and evidence-based evaluation of complex problems associated with organizations and systems.

The emphasis of the curriculum is on evidence-based management and patient-care practices to achieve quality outcomes, innovation in the integration of healthcare services, and expertise in leading collaborative interprofessional teams for the novice and aspiring nurse leader.

Electives and practicum can be tailored to meet individual learning objectives.

UCF’s online MSN provides foundational knowledge for application to doctoral degree programs.

 

No GRE requirement

Deadlines: Apply by April 1 for Fall and by Sept. 1 for Spring
Program Length: Accelerated (5 semesters); Part-time (7 semesters)
Program Type: Online; Clinical hours & internship in home community
Credit Hours: 36
Clinical Hours: 315

 

FAQs Why UCF Online Program DirectorScholarships & Aid
 

Trish Celano

 

Leading Healthcare into the Future

“Leadership and management skills are required to be an effective healthcare leader. UCF was the clear choice for my MSN. It gave me the education needed to lead the nursing enterprise into the future.”

Trish Celano ’10MSN, RN
Associate Chief Clinical Officer | Senior Vice President | Chief Nurse Executive, AdventHealth


Is this program for me?

To apply to this program, you will need to meet the following:

  • You fulfill the general UCF graduate admissions requirements (see Admissions section of the UCF Graduate Catalog).
  • You are a licensed RN for the state or country in which you practice.
  • You either:
    • have a BSN degree from a regionally accredited institution and program accredited by either CCNE or ACEN, OR
    • are a RN with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
  • You completed and passed an undergraduate statistics course.

Please note: Online programs do not meet immigration requirements for students holding an F1 or J1 Visa to maintain status. If you have questions, please contact UCF Global at global.ucf.edu or call 407-823-2337.

Is the program fully online?

Didactic instruction is fully online and provided in an asynchronous format. However, the MSN in Leadership and Management program requires practice hours in two courses (see plan of study).

These hours are related to the practice of nursing leadership and management. Students cannot be involved in direct delivery of patient care as part of these practice experiences.

Can I pursue this online degree program from outside of Florida?

Out-of-state limitations apply to this program.

Does the College of Nursing provide me with a practice site?

UCF College of Nursing requires students admitted to the MSN in Leadership and Management program to identify a practice site and an appropriate preceptor for that site. Typically practice hours are completed in the student’s place of employment as long as an affiliation agreement is in place or can be secured (see more details below).

How do I know if my practice site has an affiliation agreement?

UCF College of Nursing maintains many affiliation agreements throughout the State of Florida. Please check with your organization to determine if an affiliation agreement is in place.

If there is not an affiliation agreement, please contact the College of Nursing Graduate Office at gradnurse@ucf.edu or 407-823-2744 immediately upon notification of admission to the MSN in Nursing Leadership and Management program.

Students may not complete practice hours without a UCF affiliation agreement in place prior to the start of the practice hours.

How do I find a preceptor for my practice hours?

Your preceptor needs to be employed by the institution in which you will complete your practice hours. Your preceptor:

  • cannot be your direct report;
  • must be a RN working in a nursing leadership role; and
  • must be master’s prepared. The master’s degree does not need to be in nursing, but must be related to practice in a nursing leadership role.
Is preference given to full-time applicants?

There is no preference given to full-time applicants in the MSN Leadership and Management program. In fact, the majority of students are part-time.

I’m ready to apply. What are the next steps?

Visit our MSN Admissions page for details on the application process and requirements.

UCF is high quality, low cost.

 

High Quality. Low Cost.

Expertise of nationally recognized faculty.
Convenience and flexibility of UCF Online.

Now at a lower cost with reduced tuition through fee waivers for some campus-based amenities.

Distinguished UCF Faculty. Esteemed UCF Degree.
Options Designed for Working Professionals Like You.