Health Systems Management
The Health Systems Management Track prepares nurses at the MSN-level to manage the delivery of nursing and health services across multiple settings and specialty areas. A major objective is to provide a unique educational experience to individuals capable of leadership and innovation in a dynamic health care delivery system.
Graduates are prepared to assume leadership positions in a variety of health care settings, including public and private sector hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and long-term care facilities.
Distance Education option: The MSN in Health Systems Management is offered in an online, web-based format. In this option, students enroll in 2-4 courses per term and complete most of the course requirements via the internet. Classes meet 'live' at the University twice per term (first and last days). Active-duty military nurses and theor dependents are exempt from the requirement to attend classes in Charlottesville those two sessions per term, and may access these class meetings via a web-camera.
The curriculum builds on both the theoretical knowledge and clinical experience of the bachelor's prepared nurse. Students are exposed to content fundamental to management, and develop competencies needed to analyze managerial problems and provide resourceful solutions. Special opportunities are provided for students to acquire the breadth of management knowledge and skills needed to perform effectively at the business and clinical interface of health care delivery organizations.
Full-time students can complete the MSN in Health Systems Management in as little as 20 months. Part-time students complete the program in approximately 32-48 months.
Graduates seek employment as nursing and health care managers, as well as positions in quality improvement, information systems, and policy.
Program Coordinator: Kathleen Cox, PhD, RN (434) 924-0011, email: kbc2v@virginia.edu.
- Clinicals
- Certification
- Admission Requirements
- Downloads, Program of Study, and Links
The admissions application is available on your My Grad UVa page. If you have not created MyGrad UVa page, then please click here to create your MyGrad UVa page.
- For More Information
Students complete a total of 336 hours of administrative practicum near the completion of the program. The two clinical courses are GNUR 7481 (Administrative Practicum I, spring semester) and GNUR 7482 (Administrative Practicum II, summer session).
Students develop their own clinical goals with the HSM faculty. Some students select to do both practica at one site; others seek two different experiences.
Students completing this track will have completed course work necessary for Certification in Nursing Administration, Advanced or Certification in Nursing Administration. The practice requirements for this Certification are met through paid employment as a nurse manager or nurse executive for 24 months of the last five years. Thus graduates will need to obtain this experience after earning the MSN degree.
Admission to the School of Nursing is competitive and based on evaluation of all portions of the application. To be considered for the Master's of Science in Nursing, applicants must submit a completed application and:
- Have a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited school.
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate study.
- Hold an unencumbered RN license in the state where you intend to complete your practica.
- Submit three satisfactory academic and professional recommendations.
- Submit a copy of your resume or C.V.
- Have completed an undergraduate or graduate statistics course within the past 5 years.
- Be available for an interview if requested.
Note: New BSN graduates may apply for any of the MSN specialty tracks. If you are a new nurse and applying for an Advanced Practice specialty track (NP or CNS), you should apply as a part-time student. You need at least one year of relevant post-BSN clinical nursing experience before enrolling in GNUR 6020 (Advanced Pharmacology) and GNUR 6025 (Advanced Health Assessment).
Application deadline:
Fall or Summer entry: April 1
Spring entry: November 1
*Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional. If you want to have GRE scores sent to the University, the Institutional Code is R-5820. The School of Nursing accepts GRE scores that are more than 5 years old. If you have your 'older' scores, you may submit a copy of the Student Report.
International applicants have additional admissions requirements to meet. These can be found here.
Downloads, Program of Study, and Links
- Informational Flyer on the HSM Program
- Program of Study for MSN in HSM(distance learning, full-time)
- Program of Study for MSN in HSM(distance learning, part-time)
The admissions application is available on your My Grad UVa page
For additional information on admission to and programs of study at the UVa School of Nursing, please fill our our online form. You are also welcome to call the Office of Admissions at (434) 924-0141 / (888) 283-8703.
Questions on admissions and financial aid should be directed to Clay Hysell, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Services, email hysell@virginia.edu