The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)/Nurse Leadership in Global Health degree is an 18-month program (6 quarters) of didactic coursework offered in a distance learning format, with a leadership experience component scheduled in the last two-quarters of the curriculum. The degree comprises 45 quarter credits and 160 practicum hours focusing on nursing leadership. The didactic phase emphasizes advanced concepts surrounding healthcare policy, finance, leadership, evidence-based practice, research design, biostatistics, and preventive healthcare practices.
The didactic curriculum and applied practicum experiences allow each student to demonstrate attainment of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials. The leadership experience begins in the Fall Quarter of the program's second year. This program phase provides students with the necessary practicum experience to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitude essential to assume professional roles in leadership within diverse population healthcare settings. Students may rotate through practicum sites within their respective states. These sites allow students to gain practicum experience within complex health systems, city and county health departments, federally operated health organizations, private health agencies, and mobile units.