Nursing Leadership - MSN | Framingham University

Program & Admissions Requirements

This program consists of ten (10) course credits or 40 semester hours. Students take a Common Core of six (6) courses, and then four (4) concentration courses. A thesis, an evidence-based research project/paper, will be completed as part of the requirements for the Common Core courses.

Pre-Requisite Course

Introduction to Statistics (prior to admission)

Required Core Courses (6)

Concentration Courses (4)

Applicants must complete the online graduate admission application.
Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree from a regionally accredited college or university whose nursing program is nationally accredited and must submit an official transcript from each college or university attended as an undergraduate or graduate student.
Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from nurses with an MSN who can attest to the applicant’s ability to succeed in a master’s program, submitted on the Framingham State University Letter of Recommendation form and sent directly to the University by the recommender. Recommendations must come from a current/previous supervisor(s), academic instructor(s), or a mentor(s). Personal references (from co-workers, friends, family, etc.) will not be allowed or reviewed, and the Admissions Committee will ask for new recommendations in that case.
Applicants must submit a typed, 300-word personal statement discussing their motivation for seeking a master’s degree in view of prior formal education, current job responsibilities, and career plans.
Applicants must have an unrestricted RN license.
Applicants are required to possess an overall undergraduate quality point average (QPA) or at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and a minimum of a 3.25 QPA in undergraduate nursing courses.
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria for undergraduate GPA may be asked to take a one credit summer preparatory class (NURS 701).
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate, introductory course in statistics with a minimum grade of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale).
Applicants must have a personal interview with the Nursing Chairperson or Graduate Program Coordinator.

2-Year Option

Fall I Semester

NURC 915 Advanced Technology and Nursing Informatics
NURL 943 Strategic Planning for Nursing’s Future

Spring I Semester

NURC 905 Health and Education Resources and Policies
NURL 953 Role in Health Care Systems

Summer I Semester

NURC 925 Ethical, Social, and Cultural Competencies
NURC 935 Essential Preparation for Advanced Nursing Role

Fall II Semester

NURC 971 Nursing Theory and Research I
NURL 983 Practicum in Organizational Management Skills

Spring II Semester

NURC 972 Nursing Theory and Research II
NURL 993 Internship in Independent Leadership Skill

4-Year Option

Fall I Semester

NURC 915 Advanced Technology and Nursing Informatics

Spring I Semester

NURC 905 Health and Education Resources and Policies

Summer I Semester

NURC 925 Ethical, Social, and Cultural Competencies OR NURC 935 Essential Preparation for Advanced Nursing Role

Fall II Semester

NURL 943 Strategic Planning for Nursing's Future

Spring II Semester

NURL 953 Role in Health Care Systems

Summer II Semester

NURC 925 Ethical, Social, and Cultural Competencies OR NURC 905 Health and Education Resources and Policies

Fall III Semester

NURC 971 Nursing Theory and Research I

Spring III Semester

NURC 972 Nursing Theory and Research II

Fall IV Semester

NURL 983 Practicum in Organizational Management Skills (Practicum I)

Spring IV Semester

NURL 993 Internship in Independent Leadership Skills

Student Spotlight

Colin Bates, MSN, Leadership '25

The MSN in Leadership program at Framingham State University equipped me with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in nursing management. The coursework was rigorous yet rewarding, offering real-world applications that I could immediately implement into my nursing practice. The faculty were experienced, supportive, and dedicated to fostering both personal and professional growth. Overall, the program has profoundly enhanced my leadership abilities and opened the door to a new side of nursing for me.

Learning Outcomes

The MSN Program will prepare graduates who will be able to:

Analyze current trends in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment in order to fulfill the role of nurse educator and nurse leader.
Evaluate nursing research findings to provide evidence-based guidelines to identify and solve practice and systems problems.
Integrate social, ethical, cultural, and interpersonal competencies in the delivery of individualized and comprehensive nursing care at the three levels of preventive health care: primary, secondary, and tertiary.
Apply nursing informatics and technology to enhance evidence-based nursing practice.
Examine the role of the nurse leader and nurse educator as it relates to policy and politics in the workplace, organizations, government, community, and healthcare delivery and finance.
Role model leadership and education skills through communication, collaboration, and change processes for interdisciplinary team members.