Advance with confidence. Lead with compassion.

Prepare to be a leader in nursing education, unlocking new career possibilities. Our evidence-based and theory-driven curriculum with 100% online coursework culminates with a teaching practicum in an academic institution. Gain the skills to design and implement educational programs in academia and practice, positioning yourself for impactful leadership. The program provides rich intellectual resources through our affiliation with Mass General Brigham.

The Post-BSN Master of Science – Leadership in Nursing Education curriculum is grounded in evidence-based practice and consists of:

  • Two (6-credits) core MS courses
  • Nine (27-credits) core education courses
  • One (3 credits) integrated practicum in academic and clinical settings (126 hours)

Nursing educators will play a pivotal role in the future of nursing. Our program provides 126 hours of integrated teaching practicum that focuses on 1) direct care experiences in clinical settings, and 2) experiential learning in academic nursing programs. 
 
You will experience a curriculum that will advance knowledge and skills in clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, program development, academic and clinical teaching, leadership, and policy. Nurse educators use their training to improve health care outcomes, streamline procedures, and prepare nurses of the profession.

View Curriculum Plans

The program will include interprofessional partnership with the Institute’s Health Professional Education (HPEd) program and the Institute’s alliance with Center for Medical Simulation (CMS). Emphasis is placed on utilizing unique Institute programming, including Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI), the Institute's strong instructional design capacity, and a long history of pedagogical excellence within the School of Nursing.  

Over the course of the part-time two-year online program, you will:

  1. Grow as a leader, teacher, and mentor
  2. Strengthen your critical thinking abilities and research knowledge to improve educational models
  3. Gain knowledge of quality improvement to effect change in educational systems
  4. Become highly qualified to serve a diverse clientele with sensitivity, compassion, and humility.

After earning your degree, you can seamlessly transition to the PhD in Health Professions Education or the Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at the MGH Institute and are eligible for certification as a nurse educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing (NLN).

Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid

 

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Grant-Funded Scholarships Available
Learners who receive scholarship funding will enroll in the course tuition-free and will receive funding for a certification prep textbook and CNEcl exam registration costs. Scholarship funding is based on availability and is not guaranteed. This scholarship is part of a larger effort to help expand nursing pipelines. Read more about the DOL grant.

MGH Institute of Health Professions School of Nursing Grant is supported by a $7 million grant over five years from the Department of Labor. A total of $5.9 million, or 80 percent of the program is financed with federal funds, $1.1 million, or 20 percent is via matching and other funding sources.

Discover special tuition benefits available for:

  • Mass General Brigham employees, affiliates, and their families.
  • Employees and preceptors at over 600 clinical affiliation sites.
  • Institute alumni

Learn about eligibility and benefits

Application Process

The Master of Science in Leadership Nursing Education program participates in NursingCAS, the Centralized Application Service for Nursing. All students are required to apply to NursingCAS.

Apply Now 

Dates & Deadlines

Program starting: Summer 2025
2024-2025 NursingCAS application cycle: Open Now

Application Deadline: February 3, 2025

Degree

All applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university. 

Courses

Applicants must have completed a graduate or undergraduate Statistics course with a grade of C or better prior to matriculation.

View online prerequisite courses offered through the MGH Institute

RN Licensure 

All applicants must have current professional (RN) licensure, which will be verified prior to enrollment.  

GRE

The GRE is not required for admission to this program. 

TOEFL/ IELTS

The language of instruction and clinical education at the MGH Institute is English and a high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English is required.  Applicants who have not completed either an undergraduate or graduate program where English is the language of instruction must demonstrate English Language proficiency as part of your application to the MGH Institute of Health Professions.  If you have questions about the language requirements, please contact the Office of Admissions.

  • Applicants who are citizens of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  • Applicants who are candidates for graduation from an accredited degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above are also not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Acceptance to the IHP will be contingent upon successful completion of this degree prior to matriculation.

Please note that in some circumstances, demonstrating English language proficiency may be required by the academic program even if you are a citizen of a country in which the (or one of the) national language(s) is English. Decisions about the need for TOEFL or IELTS scores are at the discretion of the academic program to which you are applying in coordination with the department of OES.

The IHP accepts either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The test must have been taken within two years of the application deadline and official score reports are required. The minimum TOEFL (internet-based) score accepted is 89 and the minimum IELTS score accepted is 6.5.  

  • To forward your TOEFL score please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS).  The MGH Institute of Health Professions code is 3513.
  • For IELTS, a Test Report Form may be mailed to MGH Institute of Health Professions and score information will be verified by the IHP directly. You may designate up to 5 schools to receive Test Report Forms at the time you register for the test.  To request additional Test Report Forms, contact your test center.

Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have any questions about the MGH Institute’s English Language requirements. 

Applicants are required to submit an official transcript from each college and/or university attended directly to NursingCAS, even if a degree was not received from that institution. For transcripts to be considered official they must be in their original signed and sealed envelopes when received. Please visit our Program Page in NursingCAS for additional information and requirements.

Transcripts from an institution where a student participated in a study abroad program (completed as part of an undergraduate program) are not required for the application process if an applicant is not using the courses to fulfill prerequisites. If an applicant is planning on using study abroad courses to fulfill prerequisites, the foreign transcript is required to be evaluated by one of our approved credential evaluation services.

Applicants that have earned a degree from a non-US institution are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation from one of the following NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) members: Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc., SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, World Education Services (WES), or the Center for Educational Documentation. If you earned your bachelor's degree outside of the U.S. this credential evaluation must document minimum equivalency of a US baccalaureate degree or higher.

Statement of Intent

  1. How will a Leadership in Nursing Education degree help you achieve your career goals?  
  2. What personal and professional experience do you have that will make you an excellent nurse educator?   
  3. What do you wish to accomplish by attaining this degree?  

Essays should be typed, double-spaced, and no more than three pages in total. Please make sure your full legal name is included on each page. The statement of intent should be uploaded directly to your online application.

The MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) is committed to accepting students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The application materials submitted should reflect the applicant's complete academic background, outline their motivation for pursuing a nursing career, and inspire confidence that the applicant will be successful at IHP. The admissions committee is particularly interested in your service to the community (professional and volunteer); evidence of compassion, leadership, and professionalism; and your understanding and commitment to inclusivity. If you feel that you have overcome significant life challenges, please outline what those challenges have been and how you have overcome them.

IHP Diversity Statement

A personal statement is required for all applicants and must be submitted directly to NursingCAS. The prompt should address:

MGH Institute of Health Professions is committed to equity and anti-oppression. How have you demonstrated your commitment to equity and anti-oppression How do you plan to sustain this commitment as a future health professional?

The personal statement should be approximately three (3) pages in length, double spaced. 

Recommendation Letters

Applicants are required to provide two (2) recommendation letters. All recommendations are processed through our online application. Please provide contact information for each recommender within the online application. 

Recommendation letters should come from individuals who are able to address your academic ability, character, and integrity, as well as your potential for graduate professional study. Furthermore, at least one letter should come from an academic reference if possible. 

However, if you have been out working for several years and employers or supervisors are more likely to be able to judge you in this way, it is perfectly acceptable to have letters from them. 

Resume or CV

Applicants are required to submit a current resume or CV.

What is the curriculum plan, and can I pursue this degree either full-time or part-time? 

It is a part-time program.

Who do I contact for more information about the academic program, curriculum, or course requirements?

Please rhylersalguero [at] mghihp.edu (contact the program).

Who do I contact for more information about the application process, my application status, or what documents to submit?

Contact our admissions office.

Can I defer my admission to a future term?

Though generally not permitted, deferral requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are generally approved only in extreme circumstances or military deployment. To request a deferral, admissions [at] mghihp.edu (subject: Deferral%20Request) (email the admission office).

Are there other Conditions of Admission?

Yes.  If applicable, final transcripts and test scores must be submitted to satisfy the conditions of admission.

I’m an international student. Can I receive an F-1 Visa?

Please see General Information for Prospective International Students.

Meet Our Program Lead

"As a nurse and an educator, I understand and appreciate the differences between the provision of clinical care and teaching our future nurses. Our program aims to provide nurses the theoretical and conceptual foundation to teach students in both didactic and clinical settings. The science behind teaching and learning is critically evaluated and explored in our innovative coursework. Graduates will be at the forefront of best practices and quality improvement necessary to advance nursing education."

Rachael Salguero in red shirt

Track Coordinator Nursing Education Assistant Professor Nursing