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School of Health Sciences

Nursing Leadership

Online Graduate Certificate in Nursing Leadership

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$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

72%Have Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt2

About This Nursing Leadership Program

The graduate certificate in Nursing Leadership offered by American Military University (AMU) is designed for master’s-prepared nurses wishing to advance their nursing practice.

This post-graduate online nursing certificate program responds to the need for nurse leaders to fill professional voids being created by an aging nursing workforce. The curriculum focuses on these essential topics:

  • Leadership
  • Human resource management
  • Operational quality
  • Legal and ethical practices

Those who complete this program and have a prescribed length of practical experience may be eligible to sit for the American Nurse Credentialing Center’s Nurse Executive certification.

NOTE: This program has specific admission requirements and is currently not open for admission to residents of Washington state. Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications.

What You Will Do

Pursuing a graduate certificate in nursing leadership may provide nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to help support safe nursing practice and patient-centered care. In this program, you will learn to:

  1. Apply ethical principles to advanced professional nursing practice
  2. Demonstrate leadership skills supportive of safe nursing practice and patient-centered care
  3. Advocate for healthcare policies that improve healthcare outcomes across the lifespan
  4. Apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to influence the delivery of cost-effective care to improve health outcomes
  5. Advocate for business practices that promote healthcare quality and patient safety
  6. Synthesize knowledge of key business and human resources practices to effectively lead healthcare teams

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
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{{{GraduateVeteranGrant}}}** | {{{GradOpportunityGrant}}}***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Nursing Courses Start Every Other Month
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 4995

|
This course explores legal and ethical dimensions of health care in the context of patients’ rights and responsibilities, employee rights and responsibilities, and business practices. The course examines ethical values and principles in healthcare, the Patient Bill of Rights, legal regulations in healthcare, malpractice and risk management, and basics of employment law and labor relations. Students will apply ethical and legal principles to analyze the health administrator’s role in case examples involving ethical and legal dilemmas.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 5230

|
This course serves as an advanced course in human resource management with an emphasis on the health care workforce. Students will explore the intricacies associated with recruiting, hiring, and managing healthcare workers. Organizational culture as it pertains to human resources will be examined, and strategic planning will be highlighted. (Prerequisite: HCAD500)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 5184

|
This course is designed to introduce students to the business side of healthcare. Topics include the regulatory environment, employment law, managing and marketing healthcare services. The course also looks at organized delivery systems including the labs, pharmacies, materials maintenance, and physician practice administration.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 5185

|
This course is designed to give healthcare administration students a foundation in economic principles of health insurance. Topics will include managed care, employer-sponsored health insurance, the functioning of Medicare and Medicaid, the history of health insurance in the United States, and special topics in health insurance. (Prerequisite: HCAD650)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 5186

|
This course is designed to develop the skills that will allow students to create safe and efficient quality healthcare systems through an understanding of the quality management cycle, goal-setting, and goal obtainment metrics. Topics include creating satisfied patients, high quality service, efficient processes, and examining tools used within the field. (Prerequisite: HCAD650 and HCAD651)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
12/25/23 - 05/31/24 06/03/24 - 07/28/24 Spring 2024 Session D 8 Week session
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 08/25/24 Summer 2024 Session B 8 Week session
02/26/24 - 08/02/24 08/05/24 - 09/29/24 Summer 2024 Session I 8 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 10/27/24 Summer 2024 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 5013

|
This practicum is completed with a nurse leader in a selected setting and will apply the leadership theories and concepts essential to the nurse leader role. The practicum provides the student the opportunity to apply their learning to their area of interest. Students engage in leadership activities such as committees, staff education, or quality improvement projects. Students work with their faculty member to select the practicum site. 160 clinical hours are required for completion of this practicum. All core and specialty courses must be completed before taking this course. This course requires an additional cost for the use of Typhon student practicum tracking software, to be purchased by the student prior to the start of the practicum.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
01/29/24 - 06/28/24 07/01/24 - 10/20/24 Summer 2024 Session A 16 Week session
03/25/24 - 08/30/24 09/02/24 - 12/22/24 Summer 2024 Session C 16 Week session

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Admission Requirements

In order to be eligible for this post-master's certificate, the following documentation is required and must be provided prior to course registration:

  • Official transcripts showing a conferred Master of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program or a BSN degree in nursing and master’s degree in a closely related field
  • Current and active unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in state where practicums will be conducted
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the Master of Science degree
  • Current resume/CV
  • Signed statement of understanding (SOU)

NOTE: This program has specific admission requirements and is currently not open for admission to residents of Washington state. Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications.

Materials Cost

Most courses in this program use Open Educational Resources (OER). These teaching, learning, and research materials are made available to you at no cost, meaning there are minimal book costs associated with earning this certificate. There will be a one-time fee for the Typhon student practicum tracking software. This fee will be paid directly to the Typhon group. Technology fee: $85 per master's-level course.

 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an AMU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

2Alumni Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt As of December 31, 2021

Includes alumni who graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from APUS. Student loan debt is defined as student loans and private education loans used for tuition, fees, living expenses, and book costs associated with courses taken at APUS. Many APUS students receive military tuition assistance and veterans education benefits, which are not student loan debt.

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and  master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about AMU’s cost components and full cost of attendance.