Career
Graduate
Nursing
Post-Master’s Certificates
8-week course sessions allow for start dates throughout the year
All-hours access to your coursework, online library, and tech support
This nursing track is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education1 (for the MSN and RN to MSN programs only)
Education that focuses on a balance of clinical, managerial, and business concepts
Opportunities to learn about leadership models, management of healthcare systems, and more
Flexible coursework you can complete online while gaining hands-on experience through precepted clinical hours
Professional development opportunities through our Career Services team
For those with a passion for driving positive change and fostering collaboration within healthcare teams, WCU’s online RN to MSN – Nurse Leader track offers an enriching pathway towards realizing your leadership potential.
Nurse leaders are at the forefront of orchestrating effective and efficient nursing teams, ensuring optimal patient care delivery and organizational success. The WCU RN to MSN in nursing leadership gives you the opportunity to learn about leadership models, implementation of healthcare systems, strategic planning, financial management, and more.
Additionally, our online RN to MSN specializations are designed with the needs of working professionals in mind. With the flexibility of virtual classrooms accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, you’ll have the freedom to pursue your education on your own terms.
Distance Education/Online
135 Credits
16 Months
4 Trimesters
Distance Education/Online
135 Credits
20 Months
5 Trimesters
Distance Education/Online
135 Credits
32 Months
8 Trimesters
Course Number | Course Name | Total Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Number | Name | Hours |
ELECT 199 | Awarded for College-Level General Education Coursework: Up to 39 credits of transfer coursework:-Effective Spring II 2023(For Spring I 2023 Enrollment use Winter 2022 Catalog for Curriculum Information)
|
39.0 |
Principles of Leadership for Healthcare Organizations | 3 | |
Pathophysiology | 3 | |
Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice | 3 | |
Community & Public Health Nursing I | 3 | |
Community & Public Health Nursing II | 3 | |
Nursing Roles in Policy, Ethics, & Finance | 3 | |
Scholarship for Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 | |
Advanced Nursing Technologies & Collaborative Care | 3 | |
Health Promotion and Disease Management | 3 | |
Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management | 3 | |
Business Management for Advanced Nursing Practice | 2 | |
Leading Change in Complex Healthcare Systems | 2 | |
Leadership Communication & Conflict Management | 2 | |
Financial Management for Advanced Practice Nursing | 2 | |
Healthcare Quality, Safety, Policy, and Ethics | 2 | |
Entrepreneurship for Advanced Nursing Practice | 2 | |
Nurse Leader Practice Integration Experience | 3 | |
Total Credit Hours: | 45.0 |
Required At WCU | 45.0 |
Awarded for College-Level General Education Courses | 39.0 |
Awarded for Unobstructed RN Licensure | 51.0 |
Degree Total | 135.0 |
We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of RN to MSN – Nurse Leader online tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the RN to MSN – Nurse Leader track costs at ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥.
We offer several financial aid options—including scholarships, grants, and loan access—to help support you through your studies. We also offer reduced tuition rates for military personnel and their spouses. For more information about your financial support options, visit our financial aid page.
Degree Type |
Master of Science (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) |
Master of Science (Enrolling after April 1, 2024) |
Total Program Credits | 1351 | 1351 |
Program Length(full time) | 4 trimesters | 4 trimesters |
Tuition Cost BSN Level(per credit) | $495 | $495 |
Total Tuition Cost BSN Level (15 credits) | $7,425 | $7,425 |
Tuition Cost MSN Level(per credit) | $680 | $680 |
Total Tuition Cost MSN Level (30 credits) | $20,400 | $20,400 |
Total Tuition Cost BSN and MSN | $27,825 | $27,825 |
STRF2 | $75 | $0 |
Technology Fee3 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Estimate for Program Supply Fees4 | $525 | $525 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $30,350 | $30,350 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $30,425 | $30,350 |
Degree Type |
Master of Science (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) |
Master of Science (Enrolling after April 1, 2024) |
Total Program Credits | 1351 | 1351 |
Program Length(full time) | 5 trimesters | 5 trimesters |
Tuition Cost BSN Level(per credit) | $495 | $495 |
Total Tuition Cost BSN Level (15 credits) | $7,425 | $7,425 |
Tuition Cost MSN Level(per credit) | $680 | $680 |
Total Tuition Cost MSN Level (30 credits) | $20,400 | $20,400 |
Total Tuition Cost BSN and MSN | $27,825 | $27,825 |
STRF2 | $77.50 | $0 |
Technology Fee3 | $2,500 | $2,500 |
Estimate for Program Supply Fees4 | $525 | $525 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $30,850 | $30,850 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $30,927.50 | $30,850 |
Degree Type |
Master of Science (Enrolling prior to April 1, 2024) |
Master of Science (Enrolling after April 1, 2024) |
Total Program Credits | 1351 | 1351 |
Program Length(full time) | 8 trimesters | 8 trimesters |
Tuition Cost BSN Level(per credit) | $495 | $495 |
Total Tuition Cost BSN Level (15 credits) | $7,425 | $7,425 |
Tuition Cost MSN Level(per credit) | $680 | $680 |
Total Tuition Cost MSN Level (30 credits) | $20,400 | $20,400 |
Total Tuition Cost BSN and MSN | $27,825 | $27,825 |
STRF2 | $80 | $0 |
Technology Fee3 | $4,000 | $4,000 |
Estimate for Program Supply Fees4 | $525 | $525 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (Texas) | $32,350 | $32,350 |
Estimated Total Program Costs (California) | $32,430 | $32,350 |
Indirect Costs
8 Month Academic Year5 | ||||
Prior to Fall I 2024 | Starting Fall I 2024 | |||
with parents | off campus | with parents | off campus | |
Federal Student Loan Fee | $220 | $220 | $220 | $220 |
Living Expense (Food & Housing) | $2,384 | $7,936 | $2,496 | $8,328 |
Transportation | $1,648 | $1,648 | $1,728 | $1,728 |
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $5,392 | $5,392 | $5,656 | $5,656 |
Total | $9,644 | $15,196 | $10,100 | $15,932 |
* Upon enrollment, students select Accelerated Plus, Accelerated or Working Professional, which will determine the pace at which students complete their degree. In most cases, students that select Accelerated will attempt two courses per term, and students that select Working Professional will attempt one course a term.
1 Includes 51 credits for unencumbered RN License, assumes 39 transfer credits for non-nursing courses, and the remaining 45 credits are required to be taken at WCU.
2 Effective April 1, 2024, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be zero hundred and zero cents ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.
The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.
You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.
It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.
To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:
To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.
A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.
However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.
3 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.
4 Program supplies include WCU identification card and background check.
5 The purpose of the Cost of Attendance (COA) is to provide students and families with an estimated cost to attend ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥. The COA includes both direct and indirect cost estimates. Direct costs are paid directly to ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ and are shown separately for each program. Indirect costs are not paid to ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ and are estimates students may use to budget expenses they may incur while attending school. While actual indirect costs may vary, ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ estimates these amounts based on the number of months in an academic year and whether students will live with parents or off campus.
*Â Applicants submitting non-U.S. or non-English transcripts should refer to the .
For more information, please visit .
New academic sessions begin, on average, every eight weeks. The number of trimesters needed depends on the program and pace selected for the Nurse Leader track. For the most updated start-to-completion schedule, view the Academic Calendar.
At WCU, we want to give you all the tools you need for success. That’s why we have a Clinical Placements team that provides you with assistance for getting set up with your preceptor and clinical practice site. We’ll help you find the right preceptor and site for your needs and assist with getting the approval process completed.
And if you need any guidance during the course of your practicum, all you have to do is schedule a coaching call with your assigned coordinator of clinical relations. It’s that easy!
We have partnerships with healthcare providers so we can provide more resources to our students for their clinical placements.
Our dedicated Career Services team can help you find a position that utilizes your leadership skills and knowledge. They provide a range of services designed to aid you throughout your job search, including help locating open roles, resume writing assistance, interview coaching, and more.
As a WCU graduate, you get access to our Career Services resources — through graduation and beyond.2
Dr. George Peraza-Smith is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). He obtained his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Case Western Reserve University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in nursing administration from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He has both a gerontological nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate from the University of South Florida and an adult nurse practitioner post-doctoral certificate from Brandman University.
Dr. Peraza-Smith is board-certified as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP), a gerontological nurse practitioner, an APRN gerontological specialist, and a certified nurse educator. He is the immediate past president of the Florida Nurses Association and the immediate past inaugural president of the Gerontology Nursing Certification Commission (GNCC) for which he remains a trustee on the board. The GNCC offers an APRN gerontological specialist certification to distinguish APRNs who possess expert knowledge, experience, and skill in managing the complex health needs of older adults.
Dr. Peraza-Smith has been teaching in MSN and DNP online and hybrid programs for over 10 years. He has held academic leadership positions such as professor, program director, department chair, and associate dean. Dr. Peraza-Smith resides in Zephyrhills, Florida with his husband and two children.
Students who have a passion for leading teams and helping motivate others might find the Nurse Leader track to be a rewarding course of study. It is designed to help you develop leadership skills while instilling important knowledge of healthcare systems.
We can evaluate your previous coursework for credit. Your advisor will work with you to determine which credits can transfer into your chosen program.
Time-to-completion will depend on which pace you choose:
An RN to MSN – Nurse Leader is a specialized degree track that helps graduates develop strong leadership skills. WCU’s online RN to MSN – Nurse Leader program builds on graduates’ previous knowledge with online coursework that prepares them to lead healthcare organizations.
Our Nurse Leader tracks let you complete your coursework online with hands-on practice through precepted clinical hours completed at a healthcare facility near you.
Nurse leaders take on a variety of roles in different healthcare settings. They can work anywhere registered nurses work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this includes hospitals, ambulatory services, nursing care facilities, governmental positions, and more.3
Nurse leaders play a critical role in maintaining effective nursing team environments. They rely on strategic planning, leadership models, and healthcare system implementation to help improve patient outcomes.
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Our financial aid advisors can help you determine which option is right for you. WCU institutional scholarships include the WCU Performance Scholarship, WCU Health Services Partner Grant, and the Alumni Pathway Grant for WCU alumni.
For additional information and eligibility requirements, please visit our on our online catalog.
Your WCU education includes access to a variety of tools and resources designed for student success, including:
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 ().
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
WCU Distance education programs are delivered out of the California and Texas campuses and may not be available to residents in all states.
Practice Experience is required in order to graduate from the RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN, DNP degree and Post-Master’s certificate programs.
1 The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at ¹ú²úÖ÷²¥ are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,