Top 30 Online Master’s in Nurse Administration

The nursing administration master's degree online program offered by Eastern Kentucky University is designed for experienced nurses who want to succeed in professional health leadership roles. The program is entirely online and requires a series of courses that explore advanced nursing practice issues and challenges. Some of the online classes include assessment and collaboration, evidence-based project for advanced nursing practice, nursing resource management, nursing system quality management, population-focused practice, and program and policy development. The university is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 29th top public school and 79th best regional institution in the South. Also, the online graduate nursing programs are ranked #39 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Indiana Wesleyan University's online master's in nursing administration is one of the most affordable programs on our list. The program is offered completely online so that working nurses can earn a graduate degree without having to give up their current patient care positions. The program allows students to complete their coursework in an accelerated format or a work-at-your-own pace type of plan. Online courses include advanced nursing management, evidence based communication, introduction to professional development for advanced practice in nursing administration, management of healthcare delivery systems, and nursing leadership and human resources. Admission requires a bachelor's in nursing from a regionally accredited institution. Indiana Wesleyan is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 27th best regional university in the Midwest.

Clarkson College offers an accredited nursing administration master's degree online program that is designed for registered nurses who want to pursue leadership and administration roles in a variety of healthcare settings. The nursing healthcare administration focus allows students to tailor their advanced nursing degree to suit career goals and interests. All courses are taught online and include finance for healthcare leaders, healthcare economics, healthcare leadership, healthcare strategies, nursing law and ethics, and theories and concepts of advanced practice roles. Clarkson College is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as having the 39th best online graduate nursing programs in the country.

A shortage in nurses means that more and more schools like Regis University are offering affordable online master's degree in nursing administration. The graduate nursing program is designed to prepare nurses for careers in leadership and management. Students focus on leadership in healthcare systems and specialize in management. All courses are taught online and include advanced nursing practice leadership and theories, ethics for nursing leaders, healthcare organizations and systems leadership, and healthcare policy. Courses are offered in blended eight-week terms that begin three times per year. Regis is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 23rd best regional university in the West, and its online graduate nursing programs have also earned recognition.

Old Dominion's online nursing administration master's degree programs are designed to prepare nurses for leadership positions in various healthcare settings. All coursework is delivered online and taught by university professors. A clinical practicum is required but can be completed at a student-selected location. The 36-hour program is also ranked with major publications as a top online nursing program. In fact, the most recent edition of Best Colleges ranks the online graduate nursing programs #61 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News. The university is also ranked #210 among the best national universities and #118 among the top public schools.

California University of Pennsylvania's online master's in nurse administration program is both CCNE-accredited and affordable. Offered 100% online, classes are limited to 35 students. This small class size allows students to forge relationships with both professors and peers. The program takes approximately 20 months to complete and includes courses like financial management in non-profit healthcare organizations, nursing administration and leadership roles, nursing organization and leadership theory, and theory and research in nursing. The institution is regionally ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. Also, the most recent edition of Best Colleges ranks the school's online graduate nursing programs #104 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.

The CCNE-accredited nursing administration master's degree online program from Walden University is one of the most affordable programs on our list. Nurses with a bachelor's degree or higher may qualify for admission. All classes are delivered online and include essentials of evidence-based practice, inter-professional organizational and systems leadership, policy and advocacy for improving population health, and transforming nursing and healthcare through technology. Five specialization courses are also required. These courses include leadership in nursing and healthcare, managing human resources, and strategic planning in healthcare organizations. Walden is ranked with U.S. News and World Report as among the tier 2 national universities. The nursing school has also received recognition.

Jacksonville University's affordable online master's degree in nursing administration is an accredited program with 100% online classrooms. Designed for working nurses, the program offers several start dates throughout the year and takes approximately two years to complete. A total of ten classes are required. These classes include information systems and technology for improved healthcare, nursing leadership and advanced roles, nursing research and theory, and organization and policy in healthcare. A total of 30 credits are required with 12 credits of specialization courses. Specializations are offered so that students may tailor their degree toward areas of interest like finance, human resource management, and nursing leadership. Jacksonville's online graduate nursing programs are ranked #73 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News and World Report.

The accredited online master's in nursing administration and leadership program from Roberts Wesleyan College is one of the more affordable programs on our list. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this 39-credit program takes approximately 20 months to complete. Admission requires a BS degree with nursing as the major from an accredited program and institution. All courses are taught online and include advanced professional role development, healthcare finance, healthcare policy ethics and law, informatics in nursing, nurse leader educational responsibilities, and theoretical foundations for advanced nursing practice. The institution is ranked as the 101st best regional university in the North by U.S. News and World Report. Also, the online graduate nursing programs are ranked #76 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Saint Xavier University's online nursing administration master's degree programs include the MSN in Clinical Leadership. This program is ideal for nurses with a passion for patient care but who want to pursue leadership roles in healthcare settings. Coursework is delivered online and includes epidemiology and population based healthcare, healthcare systems and financing, information technology and healthcare outcomes, nursing inquiry, and philosophical and theoretical foundations of advanced nursing practice. St. Xavier's School of Nursing has received three distinctions from the National League for Nursing. This distinction is only given out to 40 schools. The institution is also ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 56th best regional university in the Midwest, and the online graduate nursing programs are ranked #1 in the country.

The online nursing administration master's degree programs from Gonzaga University are CCNE-accredited and flexibly designed for working professionals. Three specialty tracks are available for the online MSN, including health systems leadership. This 36-credit hour program consists of various online courses that explore leadership and administrative roles in inpatient and outpatient community-based settings. These courses include contemporary healthcare environment, information technology and data management, nursing leadership development, and quality and information management. One two-day, on-campus immersion session is required during the last practicum courses. Gonzaga is a top-ranked regional institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school #4 among the best regional universities in the West. Also, the online graduate nursing programs rank #94 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.

Benedictine University offers an accredited nursing administration master's degree online program designed for nurses who aspire to management and high-level leadership roles within various healthcare settings. The nurse executive leader concentration consists of 18 semester hours of coursework that includes advanced knowledge of healthcare systems, building effective communication and relationships, nursing leadership and systems thinking, and professionalism and executive career development. Benedictine is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 220th best national university. Also, the online graduate nursing programs rank #73 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs. Benedictine is one of the more affordable online master's in nurse administration programs on our list.

Saint Joseph's College offers an online master's in nurse administration degree that is combined with an MBA. Both degrees are awarded at the same time. This 60-credit hour program allows nurses to gain nursing leadership skills while gaining a solid business foundation. Online courses include advanced health assessment, knowledge-based decision making, nursing research methods, organizational and systems leadership, and systems thinking. Admission to the program requires a complete resume, essay, and criminal background check. St. Joseph's is an accredited institution, and is also ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 137th best regional university in the North.

Norwich University's online master's degree in nursing administration program is designed to equip nurses for leadership roles within various healthcare delivery settings, including hospitals and HMOs. The 36-credit hour program may be completed in 18 to 24 months and ends with a required one-week residency and graduation ceremony at the Norwich campus. All courses are delivered online and include business planning and strategic management in nursing administration, nursing resource management, and the healthcare organization. Norwich is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 80th best regional universities in the North and 14th best value school. The online graduate nursing programs have also earned recognition.

Pennsylvania State University's nursing administration master's degree online program is designed for working nurses who require an online learning format to complete their graduate education. This CCNE-accredited program is designed to prepare nurses for administrator and leadership roles in healthcare delivery systems. All courses are delivered online and include healthcare economics and policy for nurse administrators, healthcare informatics, issues in nursing and healthcare, leadership concepts and theories for nurse administrators, nursing research, and theoretical foundations of nursing. Admission is standard and does not require GRE or GMAT test scores. U.S. News and World Report ranks the university #50 among best national institutions and #40 among best nursing programs for a master's degree.

Excelsior College offers an accredited online master's in nursing administration program designed for working nurses who want to attend school while continuing with patient care. The program is offered entirely online so that students do not have to give up their daytime obligations. Required courses include leadership in organizational systems, management of clinical systems, management of fiscal and operational systems, research and evidence-based practice, and transformational nursing – innovation and inquiry. Excelsior College is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as a best regional university in the North.

University of Pittsburgh's nursing administration master's degree online program is designed for nurses who want to become clinical nurse leaders while remaining in direct patient care. Admission requires an accredited bachelor's in nursing degree, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and a complete application package. All courses are taught online by university professors and industry experts. These courses include ethics for advanced practice nursing, leadership and healthcare systems, pathophysiology across the life span, research for evidence-based practice, and the diagnostic physical exam across the lifespan. Drexel is a top-ranked institution. In fact, the online graduate nursing programs are ranked #35 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News and World Report.

One of the top-ranked online master's in nurse administration and leadership on our list is the graduate program at Drexel University. Focusing on health systems management and nursing leadership, this program prepares professional nurses for senior administration roles in various healthcare settings. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the program mirrors the degree offered on campus. Courses include advanced ethical decision making in healthcare, evaluation and translation of health research, leadership and stewardship in health professions, and workforce management in healthcare organizations. Drexel is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report, and the online graduate nursing programs are ranked #35 out of more than 1,200 similar programs.

The School of Nursing at Vanderbilt University offers an accredited online master's degree in nursing administration that focuses on healthcare leadership and management. All classes are delivered online and taught by Vanderbilt professors who routinely instruct on campus. Courses include continuous quality improvement and outcomes measures, healthcare financial management, healthcare management of populations, introduction to health informatics, and scientific underpinnings for advanced nursing practice. Students are also required to complete two practicum courses towards the end of their studies and complete 210 hours of practicum work. Vanderbilt is a nationally ranked institution. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school #15 among the best national universities.

One of the highest ranked nursing programs on our list includes the online master's in nursing administration and leadership program at Duke University. This 36-credit hour program features rigorous online courses and an active online learning community. The program is completely online and designed for professional nurses to earn their degree while continuing to work. Courses include effective business communication in healthcare, managing complex healthcare systems, population health in a global society, and synthesis of specialty practice. Duke is ranked by major publications like Forbes magazine and U.S. News and World Report as the 8th best national university in the country. Also, the online graduate nursing programs rank #3 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.