Nursing & Health Care Administration, MSN
Drawing on the combined strengths of the top ranked School of Nursing, Wharton School of Business, and the Organizational Dynamics Program at Penn, this program, rated number one by U.S. News and World Report, gives you an unparalleled opportunity to learn from the very best in the field.
We know our students have wide ranging interests regarding the kind of administrative or leadership fields they’d like to pursue, so we tailor your educational plan to best suit your career goals. In addition to coursework in leadership development, research, and systems thinking, our curriculum includes content in financial management, strategic planning, quality improvement and patient safety, human resources management, informatics, and health policy. Our coursework is offered in a combination of in-person, online, and executive style formats with multiple opportunities for inter-professional learning.
Coursework
Our curriculum consists of ten courses in nursing and healthcare administration, one nursing leadership elective, and three electives which can be taken in either Organizational Dynamics, Health Law, Health Care Innovation, Healthcare Quality Improvement and Safety or at the Wharton Business School.
Many students in our program complete a variety of minors including Health Informatics, Organizational Dynamics, and Quality Improvement and Safety Processes in Healthcare or a Health Care Innovation certificate. We also offer a number of dual-degree programs with other renowned Penn Schools where you can combine an MSN with a Master’s in Healthcare Quality & Safety or with a Master’s in Law.
At the end of your program, you will complete an administrative practicum providing you with an opportunity to work with a nurse leader or consultant in your area of interest. Previous practicum sites have included Penn Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
For more information: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nursing-and-health-care-administration/
Curriculum
A total of 14 course units are required. This program culminates with an administrative practicum in which students work with a healthcare leader in an area of their choosing.
We also provide a plan of study for full time students; part-time study is also possible and plans of study can be developed with faculty advisors.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| NURS 5400 | Current Issues In Health and Social Policy | 1 |
| NURS 5490 | Human Resources Management in Healthcare | 1 |
| NURS 6120 | Principles and Practice of Healthcare Quality Improvement | 1 |
| NURS 6500 | Systems Thinking in Patient Safety | 1 |
| NURS 6510 | Healthcare Informatics | 1 |
| NURS 6990 | Advanced Roles in Administrative Nursing Practice | 1 |
| or NURS 6991 | Advances in Nursing Leadership | |
| NURS 7480 | Leadership Development in Healthcare | 1 |
| NURS 7900 | The Business of Healthcare: Principles of Finance, Accounting and Economics | 1 |
| NURS 5470 | Scientific Inquiry for Evidence-based Practice 1 | 1 |
| or NURS 6370 | Introduction to Research Methods and Design | |
| Leadership Elective | ||
| NURS 5480 | Negotiations in Healthcare | 1 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 3 electives 2 | 3 | |
| Practicum Courses | ||
| NURS 6540 | Nursing Administration Practicum I | .5 |
| NURS 6550 | Nursing Administration Practicum II | .5 |
| Total Course Units | 14 | |
- 1
NURS 5470 is a graduate-level research methods course approved for Penn BSN students only.
- 2
Information about recommended electives can be found at: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nursing-and-health-care-administration/plans-of-study/.
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.