Nursing – Healthcare Leadership Focus

The MSN in Healthcare Leadership program emphasizes the development of a leadership style and the skillset essential for individuals in or seeking administrative roles, including fiscal and organizational management, strategic planning, integrated quality outcomes measurement, organizational structures, marketing, and management of human resources within organizations.

The program has been developed in alignment with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) MSN Essentials and is transitioning to the AACN Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (2021). It requires a practicum experience over two quarters that provides opportunities to develop leadership skills for complex healthcare organizations. Graduates are eligible to apply for certification with the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC); certification is not a graduation requirement.

• Emphasis on healthcare technology, informatics, and innovation.
• Direct support from faculty and career services.
• A strong focus on healthcare leadership.
• Flexible online learning with local practicum opportunities.

Online classes are limited to a maximum of 25 students per faculty member, and precepted experiences typically involve one faculty member working with two students. Each MSN student receives a portable electronic device for course access, e-books and required software.

To be considered for admission, applicants must show proof of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a program fully accredited by CCNE, ACEN or CNEA; a 3.0 or above on all previous coursework or the last 60.0 credits (applications from RNs below 3.0 may be considered individually); official transcripts; two professional references; a one- to two-page personal statement; a curriculum vitae or resume; a copy of a current unencumbered US/CA RN license; and copies of any Advanced Practice Nursing licensure and certification documents.

International applicants must possess a BSN (or its equivalent) and a current US/CA RN license, and foreign transcripts must be evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Admitted students complete an online readiness course and Online Orientation and must have personal access to a computer with internet.

Courses run asynchronously each week from Monday 8:30 AM PST to Sunday 11:59 PM PST across seven quarters; practicum hours in Quarters 6 and 7 depend on site availability and may be scheduled any day of the week, including weekends, evenings and nights. The College assigns the practicum, and students may recommend sites in their communities.

Next start: classes start December 7, 2026 (CNI College homepage).

Cost of the program. The catalog’s estimated schedule of total charges for the entire educational program is $16,699.00:

• Registration fee: $75.00
• Books, supplies, uniforms: $1,500.00
• Technology fees: $1,500.00
• Tuition: $13,624.00

Tuition by pay period. Institutional charges are posted to the student tuition account pay period by pay period; the registration fee, books and supplies for the entire course are assessed in the first payment period. The catalog’s schedule for this program is: pay period 1: $3,853.61, pay period 2: $3,853.61, pay period 3: $3,532.49, pay period 4: $3,532.49, pay period 5: $1,926.80.

Overtime charges. If a student needs additional time beyond the expected graduation date, CNI College extends a courtesy period of up to three weeks without additional charges; thereafter overtime tuition is charged at $21.29 per hour for the remaining hours.

Books and supplies allowance. For cost-of-attendance budgets the College uses the California Student Aid Commission’s 2026–2027 student expense budget, which allows $1,089 per academic year for books and supplies (tuition, registration fee and other charges are actual institutional charges).

Federal financial aid. CNI College is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in selected Title IV programs, and this program is eligible to participate in USDE Title IV programs. Available aid includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans. Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov and use federal school code 032423 (Career Networks Institute – CNI College).

Veterans’ benefits. CNI College is approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons, including Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness & Employment) and Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®) benefits; contact the College’s School Certifying Official in the Financial Aid Office.

Payments. Students are encouraged to make tuition payments electronically through Tuition Options unless alternative arrangements have been approved by the Financial Aid Office. The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate is currently $0.00 per $1,000 of institutional charges.

The MSN in Healthcare Leadership is designed to prepare nurses for advanced roles in leadership, administration, and education, such as Nurse Manager, Director of Nursing, Clinical Leader, Policy Advocate, or Healthcare Administrator, and coursework prepares graduates to serve in academic or staff development teaching roles.

Outcomes (School Performance Fact Sheet, calendar years 2023 & 2024). One student began the program in 2024; completion within 150% of program length and job placement were each reported at 100% (2024).