Master of Science in Nursing and Post Master’s
Nursing Leadership

The MSN in Nursing Leadership sets a high educational standard as reflected by the US News and World Report ranking as the best graduate nursing school in the Gulf Coast Region of Texas.  The program prepares graduates to be nurse leaders in highly complex and dynamic healthcare settings.  MSN graduates will have the knowledge and skills necessary to apply evidenced-based management principles to achieve high quality clinical outcomes in complex and changing healthcare environments.  By mastering the precepts of organizational efficiency and effectiveness, graduates will be poised to contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and improvement of our nation’s healthcare delivery system.

The program is dynamic and offers courses both online and on campus.  This blended format enhances the overall student experience by balancing the convenience of online courses with the personal and professional benefits of in-class learning and networking with other emerging nurse leaders.  In-class experiences also provide opportunity to dialogue with nationally renowned nurse leaders.  The length of time spent on campus is typically two (2) days per month.  Schedules for on-campus classes are provided well in advance to give working professionals adequate time to adjust personal and professional responsibilities to attend class.  Three (3) courses and the capstone preceptorship provide flexible practice immersion experiences with parallel application of classroom content. 

The Curriculum

The MSN program is grounded in standards of practice for nursing leadership and administration and essential nurse manager knowledge, skills, and attitudes.  This curriculum fully meets national quality standards and guidelines for graduate education in nursing leadership and administration.  Leadership theory, evidence-based management, business concepts, finance, and advanced knowledge of nursing and healthcare management are included in this program of study. 

The Nursing Leadership program is a self-paced program allowing students the flexibility to decide their level of enrollment every semester; students can graduate in as few as five (5) semester, or take up to nine (9) to complete. 

The post-master's program requires students, in most cases, to take only the track courses. The number of courses required will be determined during the admission interview, if offered. 

Student Support

Each student will be assigned an academic advisor at the time of admission to the program. The student and the academic advisor will complete a degree plan to specify which courses will be taken to complete the degree requirements. Degree plan policy and procedures may be found in MSN Program Policy G5320 (pdf).

Additional details on preceptorships are available for review in the Preceptor Guidelines. This webpage provides an outline of criteria for selection of preceptors and clinical sites, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the student, preceptor, faculty, and clinical site in the precepted clinical experience.

Tuition and Financial Assistance 

Cizik School of Nursing is proud of its commitment to graduate education through the offering of merit and need-based scholarships and grants. The application process is competitive and begins during the application review cycle. To be considered for a Cizik SON award, please submit the School of Nursing Scholarship Application after applying for admission. To receive the greatest amount of consideration, interested students are encouraged to apply by the MSN priority application deadline date. 

Career Opportunities for Nurse Leaders

• Leadership positions in all healthcare delivery settings: acute care, outpatient, and community-based
• Leadership positions in case management, quality improvement, risk management, and others
• Clinical Nurse Manager
• Clinical or Administrative Nurse Director
• Chief Nursing Officer in facilities outside major metropolitan areas; graduates interested in the CNO role in major metropolitan areas will benefit from our doctoral programs: PhD or DNP Nurse Executive option

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it possible to take all of my courses online?
A: Many of the courses are fully online; course numbers followed by W are online. Some of the specialty courses have face-to-face classes 1-2 days per month or semester. On-campus dates and times are communicated well in advanced to accommodate for those in the program who are working while in the program. Class time focuses on leadership skill building, such as presentation skills and professional etiquette, and guest presentations for nurse leaders in the Texas Medical Center and from across the country.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program, doctor of nursing practice program, and post graduate APRN certificate programs at the Cizik School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston reserve the right to withdraw courses at any time, to change fees or tuition, calendar, curriculum, degree requirements, graduation procedures, and any other requirements affecting students. Changes will become effective whenever the proper authorities so determine and will apply to both prospective students and those already enrolled