A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration
Master of Science in Nursing
Inspire teams and drive the success of your healthcare organization with a CCNE-accredited* online MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration from Capella. In this program designed for working nurses, you’ll be equipped with knowledge and best practices that can help you manage operations, lead change and communicate with other members of a healthcare team as a well-rounded nurse executive.
If you’re an RN with an associate degree, this program can help streamline your path to a master’s degree. Note: Capella does not award the BSN degree as part of this program nor upon completion.
*The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
At a glance
- Online
- FlexPath available
- CCNE accredited
- 3 Bridge courses
- 7 Core courses
- 4 Specialization courses
- 2 Practicum courses
- 66 Total credits (12 max transfer)
With FlexPath, you can earn your RN-to-MSN degree in 15 months and under $18,000.
Based on fastest 25 percent of students. Your program length and cost will vary by your degree program, transfer credits, the per-session cost, and how quickly you complete courses. Books, supplies, and other fees apply.
RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration course requirements
This RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration degree requires a total of 33 program points in FlexPath or 66 quarter credits in GuidedPath:
- 500 minimum practicum hours
- 12 bridge quarter credits
- 38 core quarter credits
- 16 specialization quarter credits
Explore RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration specialization courses
Show all descriptions
NURS5007
Leadership for Nursing Practice
4 quarter credits
In this course, students examine and apply theoretical concepts and leadership competencies for nursing practice. Students evaluate evidence-based best practices and behaviors that support effective nursing leadership in health care settings, and analyze strategies for coordination, delegation, and goal setting and performance improvement. Students also assess concepts and principles of health care policy, legal and regulatory issues, and quality control in health care and the nursing profession. For MSN students only.
4 quarter credits
NURS6222
Healthcare Safety and Quality Management
4 quarter credits
Students examine the nurse leader's role in helping to effectively integrate into healthcare delivery systems the quality and safety principles that inform evidence-based changes and best practices. Students demonstrate an understanding of the ways they can measure healthcare quality and safety; monitor and assess patient safety and outcomes; develop a transparent system for identifying and resolving medical errors and adverse patient outcomes; use data to monitor and improve patient care and outcomes; and support a culture of quality and safety. Students are required to complete 50 practicum hours. For MSN students only. Special permission is required for registration. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): NURS6026; NURS6020 or NURS6021
4 quarter credits
NURS6224
Healthcare Technology and Informatics
4 quarter credits
Students gain and demonstrate the knowledge and skills nurse leaders need in order to utilize healthcare technology to enhance patient care and organizational outcomes. In particular, students develop a strategy for technological integration and examine the ways in which they can use technology to evaluate patient data and organizational readiness. Students also use the strategic planning process to assess, evaluate, and implement technology that promotes improved healthcare outcomes. Students are required to complete 50 practicum hours. For MSN students only. Special permission is required for registration. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): NURS6026; NURS6020 or NURS6021
4 quarter credits
NURS6226
Advanced Operations and Finance Management
4 quarter credits
Students examine the nurse leader's role in establishing and managing an operations and capital budget. In particular, students develop an understanding of how to incorporate variances or discretionary spending, manage the labor force within budget parameters, examine the availability and appropriate use of equipment and supplies, and apply finance principles to a strategic plan for achieving an organization's fiscal goals. Students are required to complete 50 practicum hours. For MSN students only. Special permission is required for registration. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): NURS6026; NURS6020 or NURS6021
4 quarter credits
NURS6080
MSN Practicum: Professionalism in Person-Centered Care and the Workplace Environment
4 quarter credits
Students develop critical thinking skills, advanced knowledge, and preparation for master's-level nursing practice in a designated specialization. Students create and implement a personalized practicum experience under the supervision of a preceptor at the practicum site of choice and record practicum experiences in a clinical log. During this practicum, students begin the process of synthesizing professional and academic growth and practice while applying the content learned in the specialization courses to the practicum. Additionally, students document progress, provide evidence of accomplishments, and track hours. Students are required to completed 100 practicum hours. For MSN students only. Special permission is required for registration. Grading for this course is S/NS. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer or credit for prior learning. Prerequisite(s): NURS6100, NURS6108, NURS6112, NURS6116; or NURS6200, NURS6222, NURS6224, NURS6226; or NURS6400, NURS6422, NURS6424, NURS6426; or NURS6620, NURS6622, NURS6624. NURS6626; or NURS6410, NURS6412, NURS6414, NURS6416.
4 quarter credits
What you’ll learn in an RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration degree
In this specialization, students examine advanced theories, research and evidence-based best practices for executive leadership and administration in nursing. Students will expand their knowledge of healthcare leadership, safety, ethics, finance and operations as they learn how to collaborate and communicate effectively with other members of a healthcare team. This specialization is not designed or intended to meet licensure requirements for any licensed profession.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Allocate financial resources to meet organizational goals
- Lead and foster an organizational culture of quality and safety
- Apply knowledge of the structures and needs of a healthcare organization to lead problem-solving, improve outcomes and facilitate effective change
- Promote the integration of changing technologies to enhance patient care and effectiveness in healthcare organizations
- Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional and consistent with the expectations of a nurse leader
What it's like to take courses in an RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration degree
You may have questions about how an RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration degree fits in your life. Explore the course room to see what you can expect. You'll experience the flexibility of online learning and get a feel for what it's like to be a Capella student.
How much does the RN-to-MSN cost?
The total cost of your degree will depend on your learning format, academic performance and other factors. See FlexPath and GuidedPath cost information below.
A self-paced learning format that helps put you in control. Take courses at your own speed and move on to the next course whenever you’re ready.
- Enroll in one or two core courses at a time and complete as many as you can in 12 weeks
- 2 Capella quarter credits = 1 program point
- Set your own deadlines, no courseroom discussions
- Pay a flat tuition fee per 12-week billing session
- $2,985 per 12-week billing session
- $125 resource kit
- 33 total program points
- 6 max transfer points
- $32 background check
- $2.99 CastleBranch service fee
$14,925*
ACCELERATED PACE 13 months
$26,865*
TYPICAL PACE 23 months
$35,820*
SLOWER PACE 33 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 13, 2026, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs. Compliance requirements are determined by the practicum sites and may pose an additional cost.
By the end of your first billing session or quarter, you must complete a background check through CastleBranch, a third-party vendor.
As of February 13, 2025, CastleBranch imposed a service fee of $2.99, which is subject to change at their discretion.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits, any applicable tuition discounts and how quickly you complete courses. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the FlexPath learning format assume average number of credits and are based on:
• “Accelerated pace” (speed of fastest 25% of FlexPath students)
• “Typical pace” (median speed of FlexPath students)
• “Slower pace” (speed of fastest 75% of FlexPath students)
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Military Tuition Assistance is not available for the FlexPath learning format. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment specialist to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or quarter
- $465 per credit
- $125 resource kit
- 66 total quarter credits
- 12 max transfer credits
- $32 background check
- $2.99 CastleBranch service fee
$30,690*
NO TRANSFER CREDITS 36 months
*This is only an estimate, effective July 13, 2026, and is subject to change.
Capella is committed to transparency in tuition and pricing. You will be responsible for costs in addition to tuition, which may include your resource kit, travel expenses and practicum costs. Compliance requirements are determined by the practicum sites and may pose an additional cost.
By the end of your first billing session or quarter, you must complete a background check through CastleBranch, a third-party vendor.
As of February 13, 2025, CastleBranch imposed a service fee of $2.99, which is subject to change at their discretion.
Your tuition amount will vary depending on your unique circumstances such as your program specialization, transfer credits and any applicable tuition discounts. Books, course materials, supplies, equipment and other expenses are not included. Tuition estimates shown for the GuidedPath learning format depend on the number of credits accepted for transfer.
New or recently revised program estimates are based on comparable programs. Review program-specific fee amounts in our University Catalog.
Get the details
Find out more about financing and payment options to help you complete your program. Federal aid also is available to help manage the costs of higher education.
Connect with an enrollment specialist to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Are there scholarships available for master's degrees?
Your education is an investment in your future – there are more ways to save than you might think.
Capella is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Capella University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
What are the MSN admission requirements?
Admission requirements
Applicants to the RN-to-MSN in Nursing Leadership and Administration must provide the following information for admission:
- A minimum of 135 completed undergraduate quarter credits or 90 completed undergraduate semester credits
- Your official undergraduate transcripts, with a grade point average of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Verification of your current, unrestricted RN license to practice in the United States
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
- Admission application (no application fee required)
- A background check
FlexPath admission requirements
Applicants for our FlexPath self-paced learning option must also meet the following criteria:
- The recommended minimum GPA is 3.0, although those with lower GPAs may be considered if providing additional documentation for review.
Transition to FlexPath: Applicants whose GPA is below the FlexPath admission threshold may be considered once they successfully complete at least two GuidedPath courses (or eight credits, whichever is greater) with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
State enrollment restrictions
Capella University is not currently accepting application into the RN-to-MSN, Nursing Leadership & Administration program from residents of the following states and/or territories: AS, DC, GU, MP, PR, VI.
What support does Capella offer online RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration students?
Our RN-to-MSN Nursing Leadership and Administration programs are designed to meet the unique needs of a master’s student. We’ve structured the experience in manageable pieces to help you earn your degree with support from faculty, staff and online resources.
Articles and resources
Expand your perspective on academic and career topics with articles and resources from Capella University.
7 job interview tips for nursing
Discover tips to help you set yourself apart as a nursing candidate in job interviews.
Continuing education with no tuition costs
Build skills, work toward licensure renewal and meet CE requirements when you earn contact hours through on-demand nursing webinars.
Thinking about an MSN? 5 areas to consider
Consider what aspects of nursing you are most passionate about and where your skills shine.
What can you do with an RN to MSN Nursing Leadership & Administration degree?
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with an MSN in Nursing Leadership & Administration.
Job titles to explore*
- Assistant directors of nursing
- Assistant nurse managers
- Chief nursing officers
- Clinical directors
- Clinical managers
- Clinical supervisors
- Directors of clinical operations
- Directors of clinical services
- Directors of emergency services
- Directors of nursing
- Directors of rehabilitation
- Directors of surgical services
- Nurse managers
- Nursing supervisors
Employment settings to explore*
- Administration of veterans’ affairs
- All other miscellaneous ambulatory health care services
- All other outpatient care centers
- College, universities and professional schools
- Direct health and medical insurance carriers
- Freestanding ambulatory surgical and emergency centers
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Home health care services
- Kidney dialysis centers
- Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities)
- Offices of all other miscellaneous health practitioners
- Offices of physicians (except mental health specialists)
- Offices of physicians, mental health specialists
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers
- Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.