Nursing - Leadership (iLEAD) (online)

Overview

We call the program i-LEAD, which stands for Innovation in LEadership and ADministration in Nursing and Health Care Systems. We meet you where you are in your career to help you reach your educational and professional aspirations. Students who graduate from the iLEAD program are eligible to take the AONE or ANCC Nurse Executive certification.

What you'll study

The Master of Science in Nursing - Leadership (iLEAD) (online) at University of Colorado Denver is designed for nurses who are currently working full-time in medical settings across the continuum of nursing care. The master's program is purposefully designed as a streamlined degree, with only 30 required credit hours. These credit hours include purposefully designed courses in informatics, leadership theory, health policy, evidence-based practice and a hands-on practicum or internship.

The program is fully online and taught by professional educators who are also nurses and researchers. Our faculty are highly qualified and well regarded. Because it is fully online, you can enroll in this program no matter where you live. Tuition is the same for students in Colorado and those who live out of state.

Timeline

Most of our students do their coursework full time, even though they are also employed full-time as nursing professionals. You can successfully work and take courses simultaneously because of the flexibility of our asynchronous, online coursework as well as the fact that we are accustomed to working with employed students. Your professors understand the unique challenges that accompany getting an advanced degree while working full-time.

The i-LEAD program requires a total of 30 credit hours for completion. Students who take a full-time courseload of six credit hours in the spring, six in the fall, and three in the summer can complete their master’s degree in just two years. If you need additional time and flexibility, we are happy to work with you on a schedule that fits your needs.

Career Outlook

One of the main reasons that nurses pursue graduate degrees is career advancement. Professional nurses with a MS in Nursing Leadership can move upward in their employment, into leadership and administrative positions. These positions generally come with additional responsibilities, authority, and pay.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects Medical and Health Services Managers to experience faster than average growth over the next ten years.

Here are some of the career opportunities that you could expect after graduation:

• Healthcare Administrator
• Nurse Administrator
• Nursing Director
• Chief Nursing Officer