Quick facts about the MSN to DNP-Nursing Leadership and Administration program
| Accreditation | CCNE accredited†, Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Complete specialty leadership courses and core doctoral-level courses to earn the terminal degree in nursing and prepare for certification in a new specialty |
| Format | 100% online didactic classes, hands-on clinical experience, and completion of a DNP Practice Project; final DNP project work is woven throughout the program |
| Admissions | Eligibility requirements include successful completion of an accredited MSN program with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 |
| Certification | We pledge your clinical placement |
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Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online graduate nursing programs in 2025
Prepare to climb the ladder to new heights as a leader in nursing in less than 2 years
The MSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) - Nursing Leadership and Administration degree is a 53-credit graduate program which prepares you for a career as a forward-thinking change agent. This online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in improvement science, collaborative practice, systems-based practice, as well as specialty topics in leading and managing complex organizations, transforming care in health delivery systems, and more.
Embrace a new role impacting not only how your institution of employment practices nursing, but influencing how nursing is done at large. Your highest career ambitions are possible with the right education and preparation. Our program is designed to help you become a difference maker as a DNP-prepared leader in the field of nursing..
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Your pathway: courses & curriculum details
The MSN to DNP in Nursing Leadership and Administration curriculum is designed both for nurses with an MSN seeking certification in their first specialty, as well as those in an existing specialty looking to transition into a leadership role—while completing the doctoral courses required to become a leader in the nursing profession.
All didactic courses are delivered online. The curriculum includes 495 combined clinical/project hours, comprising of practical clinical experience and the DNP Practice Project.
| Program | Months i | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Leadership and Administration – MSN to DNP | 20 | 53 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program.
Full curriculum details
Tuition & Cost
Tuition & Cost
The cost of tuition for the MSN to DNP-NLA program is $755 per credit.
You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.
Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants, both through Herzing University and several national scholarship websites.
Military/Veteran Discounts
Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10-20% tuition discount.
Admissions requirements
Requirements to enroll in the MSN to DNP in Nursing Leadership & Administration program include the following criteria:
- Hold a current, active, and unrestricted license as a registered nurse (RN) in the same state in which they live. (Note: Holding a multi-state, compact state license and being a resident in a compact license state will be deemed to have met this requirement.)
- Successful completion of an MSN program with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 or higher
- MSN must be an ACEN, CCNE, or NLN accredited program
- Must not have failed from previous doctoral program
- Completion of a background/clinical compliance check
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- Delaware
- Florida
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- Hawaii
- Idaho
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- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
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- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
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- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Your clinical placement is our pledge.
We understand securing clinical placement as part of an MSN to DNP in Nursing Leadership and Administration program is one of the biggest concerns students face. At Herzing, we offer guidance and support through our step-by-step Clinical Guidance Process to ensure you can get the clinical practice experiences you need.
As a Herzing student, we’ll encourage you to find your own preceptor and clinical sites as there are many benefits to doing so. However, we provide extensive support should you find difficulty along the way. With Herzing, you are never on your own.
Because of our strong relationships with healthcare providers across the U.S. and our comprehensive Clinical Guidance Process, we are confident in our ability to help you find clinical placement. So much so that if you are unable to find a clinical site on your own, we pledge to step in and help you secure clinical placement.*
* Subject to terms and conditions outlined in the enrollment documents.
Accreditation & Recognition
Our accredited & recognized online school
We strive to earn rank as one of the top private, nonprofit universities in the United States. Just as you work every day to become the best version of yourself, so do we as a university.
We are proud to have attained institutional and programmatic accreditation in addition to industry recognition for our accomplishments helping students earn a college education and find career success.
✝The master's degree, post-graduate APRN certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in nursing at Herzing University Madison is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best online graduate nursing degree programs in 2025.
Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Discover the knowledge and skills to excel in an executive, leadership, or administrative role
Our program is designed to provide you the fastest path to both earn the highest degree in nursing and begin to make your impact as a leader in nursing.
A DNP curriculum including courses tailored specifically for the administrative and leadership path can prepare you to excel in decision-making roles in many types of healthcare institutions, including Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), Director of Nursing, nurse manager, nurse consultant, nurse administrator, and many other possibilities.
You can potentially transition from a clinical RN to a leadership position where you can begin making a significant impact in how nursing is done.
Becoming a Nurse Administrator
Job outlook
Graduate from a DNP program with a specialization in nursing leadership and administration and you’ll be prepared to join a career field expected to grow rapidly over the next 10 years.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of medical and health services managers is expected to rise 28% from 2022-2032, much faster than the average across all U.S. occupations.*
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MSN to DNP - Nursing Leadership & Administration
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The Student Experience at Herzing
I am amazed at how fast everything went! If you're thinking about going back to school, do it!
Rachel Donner
Healthcare | Online CampusDisclosures
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.