Carlow University Online DNP and MSN in Education and Leadership

Carlow University offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) and a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) in education and leadership. Online coursework is both synchronous and asynchronous, with no campus visits required and clinical practice hours completed local to the student.

Carlow University is a Catholic university practicing the tenets of the Sisters of Mercy. The core value of mercy flows throughout the nursing curriculum and through interactions with students and faculty. In fact, faculty members make relationships with their students a priority, creating space for individual interactions and collaboration. The nursing programs seek to prepare compassionate, responsible leaders who serve others with compassion, justice, and ethical decision-making.

The MSN in education and leadership can be completed in 15 to 20 months, and the DNP can be completed in 15 to 24 months. In addition, students can complete the degrees in an accelerated fashion with eight-week courses instead of 16-week courses. Start dates land in January, May, and August. Students earning the MSN in education and leadership who plan to continue to the DNP degree may take some DNP courses at the master’s rate.

The MSN in education and leadership focuses on healthcare prevention, interdisciplinary collaboration and advocacy, and quality improvement in healthcare for individuals, families, and communities. In addition, these nursing students study ethical and legal practice standards, evidence-based practice, promoting change in healthcare systems, healthcare technology and information systems, and effective leadership skills.

The DNP program is delivered in a cohort model beginning three times per year. Students choose the study speed and determine how many credits are needed with an advisor, depending on prior education and transfer credits. An interview is required as part of the application process. Students in this program complete clinical practice hours, as well as DNP project hours. Program outcomes focus on utilizing scientific findings in nursing practice, utilizing evidence-based concepts to promote healthcare delivery, and interprofessional collaboration.

Upon graduation from the MSN and DNP in education and leadership, students may move into leadership roles within the healthcare and nursing community such as hospital administrator, nurse leader, clinical director, and medical manager.

Carlow University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The DNP and MSN in education and leadership are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

What to Expect from Carlow University Online DNP and MSN in Education and Leadership

Admission Requirements: Applicants to the MSN in education and leadership program should hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from an accredited program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or greater. Applicants to the DNP program should hold a master of science in nursing (MSN) from an accredited program with the same 3.0 minimum GPA requirement. No GRE or GMAT is required.

Application materials include an online application, proof of unencumbered RN licensure in the state or commonwealth of practice, official transcripts, a current resume or CV, and two letters of recommendation. MSN applicants submit a 300-word essay on their career goals and intentions.

DNP applicants must have documentation of clinical practice hours from a master’s or certificate program, submit a two-page writing sample per instructions, and complete an interview with the Doctoral Nursing Admissions Subcommittee.

Study Plan: The online MSN in education and leadership can be completed in 15 to 20 months with full-time study and 48 months with part-time study. The online Carlow DNP can be completed in 15 to 24 months taking two to three courses per term. Part-time students may wish to take one course per term and complete the degree in a longer timeframe. Students have up to five years to complete the programs. Start dates for these programs land in January, May, and August each year.

Courses for all programs are 100 percent online and typically last 16 weeks but can be accelerated into eight-week courses. Clinicals and DNP project hours are completed local to the student.

Carlow MSN in Education and Leadership Curriculum: The Carlow online MSN in education and leadership comprises 33 credits and includes two clinical practicums totaling 300 hours.

Courses may include scholarly writing; organizational leadership; health promotion in families and communities; fiscal management; key concepts in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment for nurse educators and leaders; health policy And Healthcare economics; ethical and legal healthcare issues; quality and data analytics; evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) and intervention research; foundations; nurse as educator; evaluation and measurement in healthcare; education internship capstone; and nursing leadership internship capstone.

Carlow Online DNP Curriculum: The Carlow online DNP comprises 34 credits plus 1,000 clinical practice hours.

Courses may include scholarly writing; transforming systems – big data, innovation, and quality; evidence-based quality improvement (EBQI) and intervention research; critical appraisal of evidence; transitioning evidence into practice; population health promotion; interdisciplinary leadership for practice excellent; executive decision-making and complex systems: policy, politics, and advocacy; scholarly project I-IV; and clinical practicum I-IV.

Online Experience: The online MSN and DNP programs in education and leadership are mainly asynchronous with some synchronous components. Students also complete local clinicals.

Courses for the online programs are delivered through the CelticOnline Learning Management System (LMS). This web-based platform allows for course delivery and collaboration. Carlow University faculty value relationships highly, making it a priority to offer support and guidance through individual connections with students.

Student services may include technical support, library access, academic advising and coaching, academic tutoring, faculty office hours, mental health services, and career counseling.

On-Site Requirements: There are no on-site requirements for the Carlow University online DNP and MSN in education and leadership. Clinical practicums and DNP project hours are completed locally to the student.

Paying for Carlow University Online DNP and MSN in Education and Leadership

The MSN in education and leadership and DNP program tuition numbers are listed in the tables below, and do not include additional fees. Interested students should contact the graduate admissions department or the Carlow University School of Nursing for cost clarifications and updates.

Carlow University graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal Stafford Loans and Graduate PLUS loans by applying through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Other funding options may include employer tuition reimbursement programs, private loans, tuition discounts, and other outside funding.

Carlow University Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)

  • Complete the Carlow cohort-based DNP in as little as 15 months
  • No campus visits required and local clinicals and DNP project hours
  • Curriculum is intertwined with the tenets of mercy, compassion, and justice
Program Essentials
Degree Level Doctoral Degree
Program Start Dates January, May, August
Credits Needed to Graduate 34
Time to Complete? Can be completed in 15 to 24 months.
100% Online? Yes, plus clinicals
Program Accreditation CCNE
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? None
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT Required
Work Experience Required? Resume or CV required
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 34
Average Cost Per Credit $950.00
Estimated Program Tuition * $32,300.00

Carlow University MSN - Education and Leadership

  • Complete the Carlow University MSN in Education and Leadership in 15 to 20 months
  • Focus on healthcare prevention, interdisciplinary collaboration and advocacy, and quality improvement in healthcare for individuals, families, and communities
  • Collaborate and interact with faculty and peers through synchronous online components
Program Essentials
Degree Level Master's Degree
Program Start Dates January, May, August
Credits Needed to Graduate 33
Time to Complete? Can be completed in 15 to 20 months.
100% Online? Yes, plus clinicals
Program Accreditation CCNE
Program Admissions
Level of Education Required? Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GRE or GMAT Required? No GMAT Required
Work Experience Required? Resume or CV required
Program Tuition
Credit Hours 33
Average Cost Per Credit $812.00
Estimated Program Tuition * $26,796.00

Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees, unless otherwise specified. Please check here for any tuition updates.

Sara Navratil
Sara Navratil
Writer

Sara Navratil is a freelance writer and a Certified Canfield Success Principles Trainer. She's the owner of Sara Liza Life, a company dedicated to helping people rewrite their lives. She enjoys researching and writing about healthcare-related topics, including information on online MHA programs. When not working she likes to read, bake, and spend time with her family.