Because of the tireless work of nurses and hospital staff, we can have safe and healthy lives.
In times of pandemic, especially, fearless nurses and doctors work long days to ensure that the medical needs of the public are met.
The profession of a nurse allows individuals to make a positive difference in society.
Nurses who wish to advance their careers can consider earning a master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
With this degree, they can specialize in various areas of nursing such as gerontology, nurse education, healthcare quality management, leadership, nursing administration, mental health nursing, and more.
Various universities offer 100% online MSN programs.
Not all of these programs require the submission of the GRE (Graduate Record Examination).
However, applicants are usually required to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, be an active RN (registered nurse) with a valid license, and meet the minimum GPA requirement.
Students pursuing an online MSN can complete the program within two years while studying full-time.
The coursework varies by program and chosen specialization, but most programs cover core courses such as healthcare policy and ethics, evidence-based nursing practice, informatics in nursing, and the principles of healthcare research.
Graduates can take up managerial or leadership roles in a healthcare facility or obtain positions in an academic or healthcare setting.
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The Best Online MSN in Nursing Administration Programs
#1 Sacred Heart University
About the School
Sacred Heart University’s online Master of Science in Nursing program prepares working registered nurses to advance their careers in nursing leadership and management with flexible scheduling and multiple start dates per year.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and designed for professionals who want to balance work and study.
It typically takes about 2 to 2 and a half years to complete.
Courses Offered
The MSN curriculum includes foundational courses in health care policy, evidence‑based practice, advanced pathophysiology, and management.
The nursing management and executive leadership specialization focuses on topics such as nursing management and executive leadership practicum and capstone, financial resource management, and health care delivery systems.
Students complete a clinical practicum of about 120 hours connected to their field.
Program Cost
Students typically complete between 36 and 42 credit hours depending on the track, with the nursing management specialization usually 36 credits.
Tuition is estimated at about $695 per credit hour, making the total program cost roughly $25,000 before fees.
Additional costs may include registration, library, technology, and practicum oversight fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT 06825, United States
- Phone: +1 203-371-7999
- Website: Visit School Website
#2 Methodist University
About the School
Methodist University offers an online MSN focused on Administrative Leadership that equips nurses for management and executive roles in health care systems.
The program combines leadership theory with practical experience and includes mentorship opportunities from faculty experienced in nursing leadership.
Courses Offered
The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours across 13 online courses.
Coursework covers topics such as nursing theory and education, data analysis, quality and safety in nursing, interprofessional communication, and advanced clinical decision making.
Students also complete 500 clinical hours distributed across several courses, plus a capstone project.
Program Cost
Total tuition for the program is about $18,000 based on a rate of $545 per credit hour.
Financial aid options are available, and Methodist University offers support for military students.
Contact Information
- Address: 5400 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311
- Phone: 800.488.7110
- Website: Visit School Website
#3 Benedictine University
About the School
Benedictine University in Illinois provides a CCNE‑accredited online Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in nursing leadership.
The program spans roughly two years of part‑time study with 8‑week terms and is designed to develop leadership and administrative skills for advanced nursing practice.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes about 10 courses totaling 36 credit hours.
Core coursework explores evidence‑based practice, health promotion, policy and advocacy, quality and safety, and leadership principles.
Students complete practicum experiences in clinical settings near their homes and a capstone project that involves applying leadership strategies to real nursing challenges.
Program Cost
Tuition for the MSN program is approximately $670 per credit hour, with a total cost of around $24,120 plus fees for the full 36‑credit program.
Financial aid, scholarships, and employer benefits may help offset costs.
Contact Information
- Address: 5700 College Rd, Lisle, IL 60532, United States
- Phone: +1 630-829-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
#4 MidAmerica Nazarene University
About the School
MidAmerica Nazarene University offers an online Master of Science in Nursing program, preparing registered nurses for leadership roles in health care settings.
This program helps students develop advanced skills for administrative work, nursing education, and health care system improvement.
Courses Offered
While specific course listings were not found in detail, the MSN curriculum typically includes advanced nursing theory, leadership and management concepts, health care policy, and practicum or capstone experiences to support professional growth in administration and education.
Program Cost
Tuition and fee details were not available in the sources located, so prospective students should contact the university directly for the most current cost information.
Contact Information
- Address: 2030 E College Way, Olathe, KS 66062, United States
- Phone: +1 913-782-3750
- Website: Visit School Website
#5 Carlow University
About the School
Carlow University’s online MSN in Education and Leadership is designed for working nurses who want to advance into administrative, teaching, or leadership positions.
The program blends ethical and values‑based learning with real‑world leadership preparation and mentorship.
Courses Offered
This 33‑credit program includes leadership‑focused courses and practicum experiences to build competencies in organizational management, educational strategies, and health care improvement.
Students complete coursework in accelerated eight‑week and traditional formats with faculty support throughout.
Program Cost
Carlow’s MSN tuition is about $812 per credit hour.
With 33 credits required, the total tuition cost approximates $26,796 before additional fees.
Contact Information
- Address: 3333 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, United States
- Phone: +1 412-578-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
#6 University of St. Francis
About the School
The University of St. Francis offers flexible online MSN options that prepare nurses for advanced roles, including nurse administration, education, and advanced practice.
The program provides support tailored to working professionals with online coursework complemented by clinical experiences.
Courses Offered
While specific administration‑focused courses were not fully listed, the MSN program at St. Francis includes pathways in nurse administration, among other advanced practice and leadership tracks.
Coursework emphasizes evidence‑based practice, ethics, quality improvement, and leadership strategies relevant to health care systems.
Program Cost
Tuition is listed at about $799 per credit hour.
Program length typically varies from 24 to 48 months, depending on course load and chosen concentration.
Contact Information
- Address: 500 Wilcox St, Joliet, IL 60435, United States
- Phone: +1 800-735-7500
- Website: Visit School Website
#7 Liberty University
About the School
Liberty University provides an online MSN in Nursing Administration with a faith‑based approach that integrates leadership and management principles.
The program is designed to fit working schedules through 8‑week online courses and does not require standardized test scores for admission.
Courses Offered
Coursework covers organizational design, human resource management, financial and resource management for nurse leaders, systems management and leadership, and research application in advanced nursing practice.
The curriculum aligns with national guidelines set by nursing accreditation standards.
Program Cost
Graduate tuition is about $580 per credit hour for full‑time students and $645 for part‑time.
Military students may receive reduced rates.
The total cost depends on the number of credits required, typically around 36 credits for the MSN administration track.
Contact Information
- Address: 1971 University Blvd, Lynchburg, VA 24515, United States
- Phone: +1 855-731-2512
- Website: Visit School Website
#8 Purdue Global
About the School
Purdue Global’s online MSN program prepares nurses for leadership and executive roles in various health care settings.
The school offers multiple specialty tracks, including executive leader, which aligns with nursing administration and management preparation.
Courses Offered
The MSN curriculum includes courses in organizational theory, health care finance, policy, human resources, information technology, and systems leadership.
Students gain competencies relevant to executive decision-making and advanced health care administration.
Program Cost
Tuition at Purdue Global is about $420 per credit hour.
The MSN degree generally consists of 60 to 90 quarter credit hours, depending on the chosen track, with executive leadership fitting within that range.
Completion typically takes about 18 to 24 months full‑time.
Contact Information
- Address: 2550 Northwestern Avenue, Suite 1100, West Lafayette, IN 47906
- Phone: 866-522-7747
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| | #1 | Sacred Heart University |
| | #2 | Methodist University |
| | #3 | Benedictine University |
| | #4 | MidAmerica Nazarene University |
| | #5 | Carlow University |
| | #6 | University of St. Francis |
| | #7 | Liberty University |
| | #8 | Purdue Global |
Online No-GRE Nursing Administration Programs – MSN
Sacred Heart University
An online master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offered by Sacred Heart University comes with three specializations:
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) – This track prepares team leaders in healthcare for various departments.
Students learn how to manage costs, improve the quality of provided care, and ensure safety for patients. - Nursing Education – This specialization teaches students how to train other nurses.
The curriculum has a comprehensive overview of how to design and evaluate the curriculum and nursing education overall. - Nursing Management and Executive Leadership – This specialization prepares nurses for advanced leadership positions.
Nurse executive leaders are responsible for improving the efficiency of the organization and the quality of healthcare.
All tracks are available fully online and allow students to customize their MSN to their professional goals.
Award-winning professors with extensive real-life experience are members of the faculty.
Admission requirements include applicants to hold a current unencumbered RN license, a BSN with a minimum of 3.0 GPA, and provide a current resume, two letters of recommendation, and a statement of professional goals.
No GRE scores are required.
The program includes 12 credit hours of core courses and 27 credit hours of clinical nurse leader track, 24 credit hours for the nursing management and executive leadership track, or 27 credit hours for the nursing education track.
All tracks include core courses, covering theory and professional roles for contemporary nursing practice, evidence-based practice for quality care, healthcare policy and ethics for contemporary nursing practice, and principles of healthcare research for contemporary nursing practice.
CNL courses cover healthcare information systems, advanced pathophysiology, family and community context for healthcare, and pharmacology for the nurse leader.
Nursing education courses explore the nursing education role practicum, advanced pathophysiology, and principles of patient and staff education.
Nursing management and executive leadership courses teach management of financial resources, quality and safety in practice, healthcare information systems, and healthcare delivery systems.
Graduates of the program can work as a clinical nurse specialist, director of patient care services, nurse manager, nursing informaticist, or clinical research nurse.
Besides an MSA, Sacred Heart University also provides an online RN–BSN–MSN that includes both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- Location: Fairfield, Connecticut.
- Estimated Tuition: $695 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Benedictine University
Benedictine University has an online master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
This online program prepares RNs for leadership roles in the ever-changing healthcare environment.
Nurse leaders from across the country with varying levels of experience are members of the faculty.
The program includes two major specializations, which keep up with the current demands and trends of a nursing progression.
Students can customize their education according to their professional goals.
The specializations are:
- Nurse Educator – Students taking this concentration become teachers to prospective nurses and patients in clinical and academic settings.
They learn the curriculum development, instructional strategies, and evaluation methods.
Nurse educators are essential for preparing future nursing leaders. - Nurse Executive Leader – This specialty is developed for nurses who have the desire and ability to take on leadership roles.
Nursing executives are taught to plan and manage high-quality care processes and initiatives at the administrative and executive levels.
To be admitted to the program, candidates need a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, an active RN licensure, and computer skills (proficiency in library online searches, word processing, and email).
They also need to submit a current resume, transcripts from all attended colleges or universities, a goal statement, a graduate-level degree application, and one letter of professional recommendation.
International students should also provide TOEFL scores, but no GMAT or GRE is required.
The program includes 15 credit hours for core courses and 24 credit hours for the nurse educator specialization or 21 credit hours for the executive leader concentration.
Core courses include ethical and culturally competent healthcare professionals, health promotion and interprofessional collaboration, evidence-based nursing practice, research, and process improvement.
Nurse educator courses cover advanced pathophysiology, instructional strategies, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology.
Nurse executive leadership courses cover advanced knowledge of healthcare systems, building effective communication and relationships, professionalism, and executive career development.
Graduates with a nurse educator concentration can work in various settings, such as outreach programs, community services, and healthcare facilities.
- Location: Lisle, Illinois.
- Estimated Tuition: $670 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
University of Saint Mary
The University of Saint Mary has a fully online master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program.
The program doesn’t have any residency requirements.
The faculty includes an expert team of professors with decades of real-life experience in nursing.
The program includes essentials standardized by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Students have two specialization options to choose from to best meet their professional goals:
- Nurse Educator – In this specialization, students are prepared to become teachers in undergraduate nursing programs.
They can also pursue a doctorate in the future.
Students are taught how to develop lesson plans and create innovative ways to assess students.
They also gain a better understanding of the legal, ethical, cultural, gender, and generational issues related to nursing education, as well as learn how to collaborate with teams across different departments. - Nurse Administrator – In this specialization, students develop skills to take over administrative positions in healthcare settings.
They study various leadership styles, the management of an organization, and which style is best suited to them, as well as finance.
They also learn about the latest advancements in the fields of health informatics and information technology.
To be admitted, students should hold a BSN from a baccalaureate nursing degree program accredited by CCNE or ACEN issued by a regionally accredited institution.
They should also be a licensed RN and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
They should submit a completed application, three letters of reference, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and official transcripts from all attended colleges and nursing programs.
No GRE scores are required.
The program includes 35 credit hours with 12 in core courses and 23 in specialized work.
Core courses cover the foundations of advanced nursing practice, informatics in nursing, analysis, and utilization of research.
Nurse educator courses cover the foundations of learning and teaching, advanced health assessment and health promotion, and advanced patho-pharmacology for the nurse educator.
Nurse administrator courses cover leadership, organizational management, and business operations in healthcare.
- Location: Leavenworth, Kansas.
- Estimated Tuition: $615 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
MidAmerica Nazarene University
MidAmerica Nazarene University offers an online master of Science in Nursing degree, which is specifically designed for the needs of licensed RNs.
The program offers three tracks:
- Healthcare Administration – This track is completely online.
It aims at preparing nurse leaders who can effectively lead healthcare facilities.
Students study the financial aspects of healthcare, how to become updated on regulatory and quality policies, handle human resources, and take a strategic approach to planning.
The track includes 39 credit hours.
The curriculum covers human resources and workforce development, theoretical foundations of leadership, financial management, and strategic planning. - Nursing Education – The graduates of this track are nurse leaders who work as faculty in nursing schools or teach in healthcare organizations.
Students study how to create a curriculum, assess skills innovatively, and simulate clinical experiences.
The track includes 40 credits and covers such courses as clinical education, curriculum design, and teaching strategies, the theoretical foundations of learning and teaching, assessment of student learning, simulation, and technology. - Healthcare Quality Management – This specialization can also be completed online.
It prepares leaders who will implement tried-and-tested initiatives aimed at the improvement of quality and evaluation of existing systems.
This track includes 39 credit hours.
Classes cover database management, healthcare informatics, healthcare law, quality and regulation management, and financial reimbursement.
The requirements for admission include a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0, an undergraduate statistics course, and an active RN license in the US.
- Location: Olathe, Kansas.
- Estimated Tuition: $499 per-credit-hour.
- Expected Time to Completion: 26 months.
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
