MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership Online
Designed for emerging nurse leaders like you, this innovative online program provides an interdisciplinary foundation to equip you for high-level administrative positions within healthcare operations.
Program Overview
Discover the NKU online MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership program
Sharpen your aptitude for leadership and open the door to new opportunities by earning your Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Executive Leadership Concentration degree online from Northern Kentucky University. This CCNE-accredited online program prepares you to effectively manage a variety of healthcare facilities by combining core nursing competencies with courses in business informatics, psychology, and accounting and finance.
100% online coursework includes fundamentals of theory and research for evidence-based practice and analysis and application of health data for advanced nursing practice. You will also develop your working knowledge of healthcare policy, economics, and population health. The program includes a capstone practicum, giving you an opportunity to synthesize the curriculum and demonstrate your learning in real-world experiences.
In this MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program at NKU, you will:
- Analyze evidence for practice to generate solutions utilizing clinical judgment and innovation within nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation.
- Develop person-centered care incorporating a systematic approach that integrates effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and engagement with families and communities.
- Integrate knowledge of socio-cultural and political contexts and health determinants to improve all populations' health.
- Integrate the principles of nursing science within advanced practice roles to develop and evaluate initiatives that enhance the highest levels of practice.
- Apply professional values, accountability, and responsibility to analyze, evaluate, and develop strategies that exemplify nursing practice's quality and safety levels.
- Collaborate in interprofessional communication and teamwork to enhance the health care system.
- Coordinate resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care across healthcare systems.
- Utilize information and communication technologies and informatics tools integrating best practices, regulatory standards, and ethical, legal, and social implications to enhance the quality of care while upholding professional and regulatory guidelines.
- Integrate professional values, accountability, and responsibility into advanced levels of nursing practice.
- Participate in personal and professional development that fosters resilience, self-advocacy, and well-being to promote leadership capacity and contribute to advancing the nursing profession.
- Analyze evidence for practice to generate solutions utilizing clinical judgment and innovation within nursing's philosophical framework and scientific foundation.
- Develop person-centered care incorporating a systematic approach that integrates effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and engagement with families and communities.
- Integrate knowledge of socio-cultural and political contexts and health determinants to improve all populations' health.
- Integrate the principles of nursing science within advanced practice roles to develop and evaluate initiatives that enhance the highest levels of practice.
- Apply professional values, accountability, and responsibility to analyze, evaluate, and develop strategies that exemplify nursing practice's quality and safety levels.
- Collaborate in interprofessional communication and teamwork to enhance the health care system.
- Coordinate resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care across healthcare systems.
- Utilize information and communication technologies and informatics tools integrating best practices, regulatory standards, and ethical, legal, and social implications to enhance the quality of care while upholding professional and regulatory guidelines.
- Integrate professional values, accountability, and responsibility into advanced levels of nursing practice.
- Participate in personal and professional development that fosters resilience, self-advocacy, and well-being to promote leadership capacity and contribute to advancing the nursing profession.
This CCNE-accredited program synthesizes concepts related to managing a variety of healthcare facilities and prepares you for leadership positions, such as:
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Nurse Executive
- Nurse Manager
- Clinical Director
- Chief Nursing Officer
- Clinical Nurse Leader
- Nurse Executive
- Nurse Manager
- Clinical Director
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of Nursing programs online. View our healthcare programs online.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, postgraduate APRN certificate, and Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice degree programs at Northern Kentucky University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Tuition
Benefit from the value of our affordable tuition
The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to eligible students.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Total Program with Fees |
|---|---|---|
| MSN – NEL | $600 | $20,843 |
Tuition and fees subject to change at any time. Some fees are course-based and subject to change based on date student enters such course.
Tuition Breakdown:
A Best Value College
Ranked among the “Best Value Colleges in America” by Niche.com, 2026
Calendar
Our online course schedule is designed for flexibility
The MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online program is flexible and efficient for busy schedules, with accelerated courses that start multiple times a year. View the calendar to find the best start date for you, and be sure to submit your application, registration, documents and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2 | 6/29/26 | 6/17/26 | 6/22/26 | 6/26/26 | 6/29/26 |
| Fall 1 | 8/24/26 | 8/12/26 | 8/17/26 | 8/21/26 | 8/24/26 |
| Fall 2 | 10/21/26 | 10/8/26 | 10/13/26 | 10/16/26 | 10/21/26 |
| Spring 1 | 1/11/27 | 1/2/27 | 1/5/27 | 1/8/27 | 1/11/27 |
| Spring 2 | 3/15/27 | 3/3/27 | 3/8/27 | 3/12/27 | 3/15/27 |
| Summer 1 | 5/10/27 | 4/28/27 | 5/3/27 | 5/7/27 | |
| Summer 2 | 6/28/27 | 6/16/27 | 6/21/27 | 6/25/27 | 6/28/27 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
Prepare to apply to the MSN nurse executive program
The admission process is the first step toward earning your MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership degree online.
Admission Requirements:
- 3.0 GPA or higher on undergraduate coursework
- Current and unencumbered RN license
- 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse
MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership Online Admission Requirements
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee; the fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from both a regionally accredited program and an ACEN, CCNE or CNEA-accredited program
- Students who have earned a BSN degree from a non-US institution will be considered for an exception to the requirement that the BSN come from ACEN, CCNE, or CNEA-accredited program of nursing, where applicable.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate academic work and any graduate work completed
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Undergraduate course in statistics with a grade of C or better
- Verification of your current, unencumbered RN license with expiration date from the state in which you are licensed and practice
- 1,000 clinical hours of practice as a Registered Nurse; fill out the verification form here
- A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. Applicants are required to use PreCheck StudentCheck to purchase the background check. Instructions on how to purchase and initiate the background check can be found here.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
NKU Office of Graduate Education302 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Note: The Master of Science in Nursing degree program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Licenses are granted by the licensing authority in individual states, and those licensing boards might require an additional exam on laws and regulations specific to that state. Some states may also have other requirements. Out-of-state students who require subsequent licensure by the state of residence (e.g., nursing or education) should check with the state licensure office.
If at any time during your program of study you relocate to another state, restrictions may apply and adversely affect your program progression. Change of state residency may affect student program status. Notify your advisor and concentration coordinator immediately if you plan to relocate.
Courses
Advance your knowledge in these online MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership courses
For the MSN – Nurse Executive Leadership online, students must complete a total of 33 credit hours, which includes four core courses (12 credit hours), and seven concentration courses (21 credit hours). Each course is seven weeks long. 100 clinical hours are required to complete this program.
