The Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership & Administration prepares registered nurses for leadership, management, and administrative roles in healthcare settings. The program focuses on nursing administration, leadership, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, fiscal and human resources management, health policy, informatics, and healthcare systems.
Graduates earn the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.
The MSN in Nursing Leadership & Administration requires 32 credit hours.
Students may complete the MSN program in approximately 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time. The 32-credit degree plan includes a 2-year option of approximately 6-8 credits per semester or a 3-year option of approximately 3-6 credits per semester.
The MSN program is delivered through distance education, which allows nurses to continue working and remain in their communities while completing graduate coursework.
Yes. The MSN program is designed for working nurses, with full-time and part-time degree plan options. Students should still expect graduate coursework, practicum experiences, and project work to require consistent time and planning.
Students who do not plan to reside in New Mexico during the program should review state authorization and nursing board requirements before applying. Some state boards of nursing have restrictions or approval requirements for online nursing programs. Out-of-state students are encouraged to contact their state licensing board to confirm whether NMSU is approved in their state.
The program admits students in both the fall and spring semesters. The spring cohort application deadline is January 2, and the fall cohort application deadline is August 2.
Applicants apply through the NMSU Graduate School and select NMSU Global Campus to locate the MSN program. Applicants should upload all required documents as part of the application process.
Applicants should submit a current CV or resume, RN license, unofficial transcripts from nursing programs or degrees, a letter of intent, and the names and contact information for two references from colleagues in clinical practice.
Yes. Applicants may apply using unofficial transcripts, but official transcripts must be submitted before the end of the first semester.
Official transcripts should be sent to the NMSU Graduate School. Electronic transcripts may be sent to gradinfo@nmsu.edu. Standard mail may be sent to:ATTN: Official Transcripts
Graduate School
New Mexico State University
Educational Services Building, Suite 301
1780 E University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Graduate School
New Mexico State University
Educational Services Building, Suite 301
1780 E University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Applicants may be invited to interview with graduate faculty. These interviews are conducted by videoconference.
Applicants must be admitted to the NMSU Graduate School, hold a BSN from a nationally accredited nursing program, have a BSN cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better or graduate degree GPA above 3.0, hold a current unencumbered RN license from one of the 50 U.S. states or territories, and provide evidence of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course.
Yes. Admission to the MSN program is competitive. Admission decisions consider GPA and academic preparedness, the strength of references, alignment of career goals with the MSN in Nursing Administration, work and clinical experience, the quality of writing in submitted documents, and interview responses, if an interview is required.
Yes. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program.
An applicant with a cumulative BSN GPA below 3.0 may request provisional admission by submitting a letter to the Graduate Advisor with a copy of unofficial transcripts. Approval is not automatic and is subject to review by the MSN Specialty Track Director. Students admitted provisionally must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the first semester to continue in the program.
Possibly. Transfer credit is not automatic. Students may request approval for transfer credit or a course waiver, but all requests must be reviewed and approved through the appropriate School of Nursing, college, and Graduate School processes.
Only courses from an accredited institution in which the student earned a grade of B or better may be considered for transfer or waiver.
At least 50% of the course credit toward the MSN degree must be completed at New Mexico State University.
The MSN Specialty Track Director serves as the formal academic advisor for MSN students and can assist with degree planning, program-of-study changes, course advisement, and transfer-credit questions.
Yes. MSN students complete 320 supervised practicum hours.
Yes. The program is designed so students can complete practicum experiences in their hometown or local community when appropriate.
Students may be able to complete field experiences in a work setting, but they may not complete practicum hours in the unit where they are currently employed. All sites and preceptors must be approved by course faculty.
Yes. Students are responsible for identifying potential practicum or clinical sites and preceptors, but the preceptor and site must be approved by faculty before hours can begin.
Students should plan early, especially if a new affiliation agreement is needed. The handbook recommends starting the affiliation agreement process at least 3-6 months before the clinical course begins.
No. Students may not begin fieldwork or clinical experiences until required approvals and clinical clearance documentation are complete. Hours completed before approval are not counted.
No. Students may not complete clinical hours outside the official semester or bank hours for another course. Each practicum course has specific objectives that must be met during the semester in which the course is taught.
No. practicum substitutions are not granted by the NMSU School of Nursing Graduate Programs.
Yes. Students must meet School of Nursing clinical clearance requirements before beginning practica. Requirements include a background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR/BLS, and other agency-specific requirements.
MSN students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in accordance with NMSU Graduate School policies.
Students must earn a B or better in required courses to progress to the next semester.
All coursework must be completed within 7 years from the date the first MSN credit is earned. Exceeding this time limit may result in dismissal for failure to progress unless an approved extension is granted.
A student who needs to discontinue study for one or more semesters must submit a Graduate School Leave of Absence form to the School of Nursing Graduate Advisor. The leave must be approved by the MSN Specialty Track Director, the School of Nursing Director, and the Graduate School.
Prospective students may contact the NMSU School of Nursing Graduate Advising Office at 575-646-3812. Students may also contact Leah Baeza, Academic Advisor Lead for Graduate Programs, at 575-646-4007 or leahjh@nmsu.edu.
