MSN - Nursing Administration

Master of Science in Nursing — Nursing Administration

Lead Healthcare at the Community Level and Beyond

Hone your leadership skills and learn key management concepts to deliver quality patient care. The University of Texas at Tyler’s MSN in Nursing Administration gives you the tools to oversee a nursing team and inspire them to excel with diligence and compassion. Gain expertise in performance evaluation, compliance, workflow operations, resource allocation and supervision. Prepare for the national board certification exams, advance your career and set your sights on future doctoral studies with our top-rated online program.

Why Earn an MSN in Nursing Administration From UT Tyler?

As healthcare challenges become more complex and demand for more efficient care continues to rise, we need capable professionals ready to lead teams to improve care delivery and patient outcomes. This is the right program for problem-solvers, decision-makers and potential mentors. If you believe you have the motivation to lead staff, interact with other department heads and create strategic plans for patient-centered care, the MSN in Nursing Administration can help you achieve your goals.

Here are some of the reasons U.S. News & World Report listed UT Tyler’s online MSN program as one of the Top 5 Best in the state:

  • Flexible Online Format: Earn your degree from any location and within your own schedule with 100% online classes. We offer the majority of courses year-round to provide students flexibility when balancing their work, family, and school responsibilities.
  • Outstanding Faculty: Learn from professors who have real-world experience, are actively engaged in research and are committed for teaching excellence. Receive personalized attention with small class sizes and one-on-one meetings.
  • Hands-on Learning: The curriculum includes three practicum courses and one capstone project where you can apply your new skills. Gain advanced, practical managerial experience under the guidance of preceptors who hold leadership positions in their organizations.
  • Highly Effective: Prepare for the American Nurses Credentialing Center Nurse Executive Certification and the American Organization of Nurse Executives Certified in Executive Nursing Practice exams through the program’s rigorous coursework.
  • Affordable: Our tuition is a fraction of the cost of other comparable programs while yielding a high return on investment. Students further have the option to earn certification in other nursing specialties while enrolled in a School of Nursing master’s program.

Curriculum

The MSN in Nursing Administration program consists of 36 credit hours, nine of which focus on leadership principles, organizational science, policy and regulations, fiscal management and the design of care delivery systems. The program closely aligns with the competencies included in the ANCC Nurse Executive Certification examination.

By the time they graduate, students can:

  • Maximize an organization’s budget and effectively manage the finances of a large-scale operation.
  • Provide evidence-based solutions to health-care-associated problems and implement innovative strategies to improve quality care, mitigate risks and maintain best practices.
  • Use computers, software and technology to smooth workflow, monitor patient care, evaluate performance and manage personnel.
  • Assess the clinical setting, analyze the findings and effectively communicate any needed changes to different stakeholders.
  • Base decisions with in-depth knowledge of the legal, regulatory and financial management of healthcare institutions.
  • Mentor other nurses and approach leadership roles with responsibility, integrity and business acumen.

Review All MSN in Nursing Administration Course Descriptions

Careers in Nursing Administration

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job prospects for medical and health services managers to grow 28% from 2021 to 2031 — much faster than the average for all occupations. Nurse administrators can command six-figure salaries and find jobs in virtually any healthcare setting, including hospitals, clinics, government agencies, professional organizations and healthcare systems.

Possible job titles include:

  • Charge Nurse
  • Chief Nursing Officer
  • Clinical Nurse Leader
  • Director of Care
  • Nurse Case Manager
  • Nurse Manager
  • Nursing Supervisor
  • Patient Care Director
  • RN Care Manager

How to Apply

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Submit a one-page personal statement.
  • Submit transcripts verifying a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work*.
  • Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from a nationally accredited nursing program.
  • Complete an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C" or better.
  • Show proof of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state(s) where clinical practicum will occur.
  • Applicants to advanced practice degree programs are strongly encouraged to submit a CV or a resume. 
  • Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree as listed in the University catalog.
  • Consideration for admission is also given to one or more of the following: the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study; socioeconomic background; and involvement and level of responsibility related to other factors, including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, first generation of family to graduate from an undergraduate program, family responsibility for raising children, multilingual proficiency, or geographic region of residence.
International Students

Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree. Review all admission requirements for international students.

Applicants must submit evidence of English proficiency before the university grants admission. Applicants whose primary language is not English (the undergraduate degree is from a foreign institution) must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language, Pearson Test of English or the International English Language Testing System. The minimum score requirements are as follows:

  • 79 TOEFL iBT (internet-based test)
  • 550 TOEFL PBT (paper-based test)
  • 53 PTE
  • 6.5 overall band score and 6.0 in each subsection IELTS
Other Admissions Considerations

UT Tyler also gives consideration for admission to one or more of the following:

  • The applicant's demonstrated commitment to their chosen field of study.
  • Socioeconomic background.
  • The involvement and level of responsibility in other matters, including extracurricular activities, employment and community service.
  • First generation of family to graduate from an undergraduate program.
  • Family responsibility or raising children.
  • Multilingual proficiency.
  • Geographic region of residence.

Levels of admissions:

  • Full Acceptance Status: Applicants who have met all admission requirements.
  • Conditional Acceptance Status: UT Tyler may accept MSN applicants who have met some but not all of the requirements listed above into the graduate program on a conditional basis following review by the Graduate Studies Committee. After the successful completion of designated coursework from the student's degree plan, the university grants full acceptance status.
  • Provisional Acceptance Status: Students may be admitted provisionally to the MSN-Nursing Administration program. Refer to the Provisional Admission section for more information: Graduate School FAQs.

STEP 1: Apply to the University

All applicants must apply to the university prior to applying to the nursing program. Go to The Graduate School to complete the application.

Current or previous UT Tyler students must complete a new application if applying for a higher level of degree (i.e., BSN to MSN, MSN to PhD, MSN to DNP, MSN to post-master’s certificate).

If you are an online out-of-state applicant, please be aware of reciprocity agreements that may impact clinical hours: State Authorization.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply?

The application cost is $50 for domestic students; $75 for international students. The fee is nonrefundable and required before your application is processed. Make credit card payments at the time of application by Visa or MasterCard only.

The university waives fees for all UT Tyler alumni. Please select the “Pay by Check” option. The fee is waived once your application is processed. Please do NOT send a check, as no refunds are given.

STEP 2: Submit Official Transcripts

MSN Domestic Applicants: The university requires an official transcript showing a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution. Previous institutions should send official copies directly to UT Tyler at gradadmissions@uttyler.edu. UT Tyler transcripts are available from the Registrar's Office; applicants need not forward them.

If your BSN transcript does not contain at least 60 credit hours of coursework, you are required to submit community or junior college transcripts directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

MSN International Applicants: Please send an official transcript showing a four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing or its U.S. equivalent from an accredited institution of higher learning and official transcripts from ALL post-secondary institutions, TOEFL scores, entrance exams scores (GRE or GMAT for MBA) and evidence of financial support (Affidavit of Support) to:

Office of Graduate Admissions HPR 248
The University of Texas at Tyler
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler TX 75799

For details and a list of forms, visit the International Students page.

Transfer Students: You must submit an official letter from your previous institution’s nursing department stating you are in good standing and eligible to return to their program. To review individual transfer course eligibility, you must also submit course syllabi from the time of enrollment. The maximum allowed transfer credit hours is nine, subject to review for equivalency. Submit both the letter of eligibility and any syllabi to nursing-graduate@uttyler.edu with the subject line “Transfer Student Application Documents.”

STEP 3: Submit Nursing Documents

  • Submit via the Nursing Document link.
  • Submit a personal statement via the above link. View prompts by selecting the program of choice on the nursing application page.
  • Submit a résumé/CV including your academic history, work history (with particular attention to nursing experience), certifications and any other service or activities you wish to include.
  • Show proof of current unencumbered licensure as a Registered Nurse in the state(s) where the clinical practicum will occur.
  • Complete an undergraduate statistics course with a grade of “C" or better.
  • Submit transcripts verifying a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work. The university may grant Conditional admission to students who do not meet the GPA requirement for full admission based on other criteria.
  • Applicants from countries other than the United States must also meet the admission requirements for international students seeking a graduate degree. Review international admission requirements.

 The UT Tyler School of Nursing offers programs year-round with multiple start dates. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and prospective students need to be admitted two weeks before the session start date. In case of non-admission by that date, the start date will be deferred to the next session. For inquiries about the application process, please contact an enrollment advisor.

Applicants offered acceptance into a graduate nursing program may be assessed a non-refundable seat deposit of $200 by the date indicated in the acceptance letter. Failure to pay the deposit will result in forfeiture of the acceptance. The university applies the $200 toward the first semester’s tuition. Applicants who accept an offer of admission but later decide not to attend forfeit the seat deposit.

Spotlight

Dr. Deborah Crumpler
“The learning process is a combination of setting mutually agreed-upon goals for success, capitalizing on each student’s strengths. We assist students in accomplishing those goals through a supportive, mentoring relationship in which students are active participants.”

Dr. Deborah Crumpler, CCRN, Clinical Assistant Professor, Longview University Center BSN Site Coordinator

Meet Dr. Crumpler

Nursing Administration Certificate Program

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Next Steps

The next phase of your career starts here. Discover where an MSN in Nursing Administration from UT Tyler can take you.