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).

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: Spring 2025
2023-2024 NursingCAS application cycle: Open Now

Application Deadline: September 15, 2024

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 a transcript from each college and/or university attended, even if a degree was not received from that institution. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted throughout the application process, and official transcripts will only be required prior to enrolling in the program. 

The Office of Admission strongly encourages the use of online electronic transcript ordering which can be sent directly via email to admissions [at] mghihp.edu. If this is not an option and your institution does not participate in electronic transcript delivery, please request official transcripts be sent to the mailing address listed below:
      

Admission Office
MGH Institute of Health Professions
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129

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.

Essay/Goal Statement

All applicants are required to compose an essay that addresses the following: 

  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.

Diversity Statement

A Diversity Statement is required for all applicants and must be submitted directly within the online application as a supplemental item. The Diversity Statement should address the following: 
  
MGH Institute of Health Professions is committed to an inclusive campus climate that welcomes students who will enrich the diversity of thought and perspectives, and therefore, enhance the learning experiences of all. In what ways might you personally contribute to improving the experience of the campus as a welcoming and inclusive place to learn? 
  
The Diversity Statement should be approximately two (2) double spaced pages in length, double spaced and 12 pt. font. 

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 bwhite [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.

Upcoming Admissions Events

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."

Elaine Tagliareni in pink blazer

Director of Faculty Development Professor Nursing