Drexel’s CCNE-accredited online MSN: Leadership in Health Systems Management prepares current RNs to step into senior administration or management roles. It is perfect for nurses who want to advance their career in the ever-complex healthcare environment.
The health systems management leadership program highlights two crucial skill sets needed by nurse leaders and executives. One revolves around the decision-making process. The other, on management of health information systems.
During the program, you will learn how to problem-solve and make ethical and data-driven decisions. In tandem, the emphasis on leadership will help you understand finance, legal issues, marketing, strategy, and organizational structures.
The practicum course is completed over the span of two quarters and is the final course in your MSN. It requires 160 hours over the course of 20 weeks at a predetermined practicum site with an approved preceptor. You will declare your intent to complete the practicum 6 months in advance of the course. During this time, we will guide you through a mandatory compliance process, and the Leadership Track Director will work with you to identify an acceptable practicum site and preceptor. Typically, we can find a practicum site that is very convenient for you and does not result in an additional traveling burden.
Nurse management is broad way to describe nurses who plan, organize, lead, staff, and direct other nurses or functions within medical and health services. Not only are nurse managers in charge of patient care, they also make decisions about governance, budget, schedules, and personnel.
Most employers today seek nurse executives with a master’s degree and experience as an RN. Having a nursing management degree might help you pursue jobs in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, and beyond. The array of titles nurse managers hold include:
An MSN in Health Systems Management may be instrumental in boosting your earning potential. Nurse Managers report median annual salaries of $117,960, per the most recent BLS.gov estimates. While salaries fluctuate by location, work setting, and job title, RNs, on average, earned less ($93,600) in the same year than nurse managers.
Demand for skilled medical and health services managers is on the rise by 23% through the next few years. This growth rate is much faster than average and is likely to mean more jobs in healthcare facilities, hospitals, nursing facilities, group medical practices, and more. In all these settings, nurse managers may fill the following high paying jobs:
Job Title
Median Annual Salary*
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
$189,600
Nursing Director
$99,730
Clinical Manager
$99,730
Nursing Home Administrator
$84,260
Health Service Manager (Hospital)
$108,730
*Data from BLS.gov
Learn more about this and other nursing programs from our previously recorded online open house webinar series.
For application related questions:
enroll@drexel.edu
For program related questions:
College of Nursing and Health Professions Program Team
CNHPGraduateDivision@drexel.edu
Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.
The MSN program at Drexel University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year (as opposed to the traditional two semester system) which means you can take more courses in a shorter time period. One semester credit is equivalent to 1.5 quarter credits.
Graduate students who utilize student loans (FAFSA) muct maintain a minimum enrollment of 4.5 credits per term.
MSN Core Courses | ||
NURS 500 | Confronting Issues in Contemporary Health Care Environments | 3.0 |
NURS 502 | Advanced Ethical Decision Making in Health Care | 3.0 |
NURS 544 | Quality and Safety in Healthcare | 3.0 |
RSCH 503 | Research Methods and Biostatistics | 3.0 |
RSCH 504 | Evaluation and Translation of Health Research | 3.0 |
Major Courses | ||
PROJ 501 | Introduction to Project Management | 3.0 |
NUPR 663 | Communication and Self-Awareness for Leadership | 4.5 |
NUPR 664 | The Economics and Business of Healthcare | 4.5 |
NUPR 665 | Managing Operations and Human Resources for Quality Outcomes of Care Delivery | 4.5 |
Practicum Courses | ||
NURS 568 | Practicum and Symposium in Healthcare Operations Management | 3.0 |
NURS 569 | Practicum and Symposium in Technology and Management of Information in Healthcare Organizations | 3.0 |
Electives | 7.5 | |
Total Credits | 45.0 |
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
An admissions interview may be required.
For the academic year 2025-2026, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
2025-2026 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Exams Begin
Exams End
Fall 2025
September 22, 2025
December 6, 2025
December 8, 2025
December 13, 2025
Winter 2026
January 5, 2026
March 14, 2026
March 16, 2026
March 21, 2026
Spring 2026
March 30, 2026
June 6, 2026
June 8, 2026
June 13, 2026
Summer 2026
June 22, 2026
August 29, 2026
August 31, 2026
September 5, 2026