Nurse Administrator Graduate Certificate Online
Prepare to advance into an upper-level leadership role while focusing on how to develop practical, successful and innovative solutions for challenges in healthcare.
Program Overview
Take a look at the online nursing administration certificate program
Boost your credentials and prepare for management roles when you complete the Graduate Certificate – Nurse Administration online program. Whether you’re an MSN-prepared nurse or currently enrolled in an MSN program and want to expand your area of expertise, or you already serve in administration and are ready to move up the ranks, this certificate provides the foundation for your growth.
Coursework is 100% online and enables you to continue working while you study. This certificate program gives you in-depth knowledge of the operations side of a complex healthcare system, including business strategy, human resources, finance, IT and more, empowering you to collaborate confidently with healthcare executives. For the certificate’s capstone, our engaged and accessible faculty will guide you in the creation of a service line for a fictional facility, helping you gain the experience needed to become a stronger advocate for nurses and patients.
Through an in-depth understanding of organizational behavior, data analysis, budgeting and processes, you’ll help medical and administrative teams work together to deliver system-wide quality care and improved medical outcomes. This advanced program prepares you for certification by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and/or American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).
For state approvals, please consult the Program Map.
In this online Graduate Certificate – Nurse Administration​ program, you will learn how to:
- Apply effective strategies for leading and communicating with teams
- Understand the components of budgeting, planning, and reimbursement in the delivery of cost-effective healthcare systems
- Manage legal exposure through an understanding of the laws and policies that affect healthcare
- Utilize healthcare informatics to manage and improve healthcare quality services
- Apply effective strategies for leading and communicating with teams
- Understand the components of budgeting, planning, and reimbursement in the delivery of cost-effective healthcare systems
- Manage legal exposure through an understanding of the laws and policies that affect healthcare
- Utilize healthcare informatics to manage and improve healthcare quality services
Prepare for a variety of healthcare leadership roles, including:
- Charge Nurse
- House Supervisor
- Head Nurse
- Assistant Director of Nursing
- Director Of Nursing
- Nursing Services Leader
- Nurse Leader
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Executive
- Clinical Expert Nurse
- Patient Care Director
- Charge Nurse
- House Supervisor
- Head Nurse
- Assistant Director of Nursing
- Director Of Nursing
- Nursing Services Leader
- Nurse Leader
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Executive
- Clinical Expert Nurse
- Patient Care Director
Also available:
A-State offers a variety of certificate programs in a convenient online format. Explore our full range of online certificate programs.
Accreditation
Accredited by ACEN
Tuition
Take advantage of pay-as-you-go tuition that's easy on your budget
Our online Graduate Certificate – Nurse Administration program offers the same affordable tuition to all U.S. residents. All fees are included. Tuition may be subject to change on a yearly basis.
Please note, certificate programs are not financial aid eligible.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
Check the schedule for important dates
Ideal for working nurses, Arkansas State online programs are delivered in an accelerated format with multiple start dates each year.
| Term | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | 1/12/26 | 12/8/25 | 12/8/25 | 12/18/25 | 1/9/26 | 2/27/26 |
| Spring 2 | 3/9/26 | 2/2/26 | 2/2/26 | 2/16/26 | 3/6/26 | 5/1/26 |
Now enrolling:
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Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from A-State?
Admissions
See the qualifications for admission to the online Graduate Certificate – Nurse Administration​ at A-State
We know you’re busy, so we’ve streamlined the A-State admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. Students who are interested in the online Graduate Certificate – Nurse Administration program must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited institution. Review full admission requirements below.
Admission Requirements:
- Online application
- MSN degree
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Complete online application and submit application fee
- Hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an ACEN-, CCNE- or CCNEA-accredited program of nursing from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited program of nursing from a regionally accredited college or university OR are currently enrolled in an ACEN- or CCNE-accredited MSN program from a regionally accredited college or university
- Undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcript(s) submitted by the registrar of any college/university you have attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution.
- Current unencumbered RN license
- Satisfactory background check completed through Verified Credentials
Request all official transcripts be sent directly to A-State from all colleges or universities attended. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.
English Proficiency Requirements
This program requires a high level of English proficiency to meet academic and clinical objectives, along with meeting the criteria for licensure. You may be required to provide proof of English proficiency per A-State School of Nursing English Proficiency Standards. Additionally, if you’ve ever attended a professional program in the past, you may be required to provide a letter of good standing.
Meeting the admissions requirements does not guarantee admission. Students will be admitted based on space availability.
International Students
Students from non-English speaking countries or for whom English is not a native language must take one of the following tests:
Submit all documents to:
P.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
A-State Onlinec/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
Learn about the curriculum for our online nurse admin cert
To finish the Graduate Certificate – Nurse Administration online program, you must complete a total of 15 credit hours. Required coursework includes five advanced practice courses.
Visit the Course Registration page to view the course schedule for this certificate.
What is leadership in health professions?
Leadership in health professions applies historical and contemporary models to healthcare contexts. It examines organizational behavior, team dynamics, change management, and leadership ethics. This practice emphasizes communication, conflict resolution, strategic thinking, and creating cultures that enhance patient outcomes and staff satisfaction.
This course explores both historical and contemporary leadership models and their application in healthcare environments. Students will examine how leadership theories inform decision-making, organizational culture, and the creation of sustainable healthcare systems.
In addition to leadership frameworks, the course covers essential human resource topics, including:
Legal standards and record-keeping requirements
Best practices in recruiting, hiring, retaining and terminating employees
Strategies for building effective teams and fostering positive workplace environments
Learners in both MSN and DNP tracks will engage with evidence-based literature to evaluate leadership environments, assess care outcomes, and develop communication and collaboration skills essential for implementing practice models and influencing health policy. The course prepares students to lead with integrity and effectiveness in complex healthcare settings.
What is budgeting and financial management in healthcare?
Budgeting and financial management in healthcare applies economics and financial principles to organizational leadership. It encompasses reimbursement systems, budget development, financial analysis, and revenue cycle management. This discipline makes financially sound decisions balancing care quality with organizational sustainability and strategic resource allocation.
This course introduces the theoretical and practical foundations of healthcare economics, with a focus on how these principles apply to nursing practice, leadership and healthcare delivery. Students will explore key financial concepts such as budgeting, reimbursement and financial planning, and learn how to integrate these into decision-making within various healthcare settings.
Upon completion, learners will be able to:
Analyze financial management practices within the healthcare environment
Apply financial terminology and principles across diverse healthcare settings
Use information systems to support budgeting processes
Calculate staffing and financial plans for nursing care delivery
Evaluate resource utilization, cost containment strategies and quality care outcomes
Understand the role of marketing in healthcare organizations
This course equips nursing professionals with the financial literacy and strategic insight needed to lead effectively and contribute to fiscally responsible, high-quality care.
What is healthcare law and quality improvement?
Healthcare law and quality improvement integrates legal compliance with systematic quality enhancement. It covers federal and state regulations, patient rights, accreditation standards, and improvement methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma. This field implements evidence-based safety initiatives while navigating legal constraints and regulatory requirements.
This course provides an essential foundation in healthcare law and quality improvement, with a focus on the regulatory landscape and continuous quality improvement (CQI) techniques. Students will examine the roles of public and private regulators and learn how legal principles influence the delivery and financing of healthcare.
Key areas of study include:
Overview of legal standards governing healthcare systems
Application of legal and quality principles to real-world healthcare scenarios
Identification of areas for quality improvement in care delivery
Selection and application of appropriate CQI techniques
Use of evidence-based data to assess and improve outcomes
Required prior to the first clinical course for nursing administration students, this course equips learners with the analytical and practical skills needed to evaluate and enhance healthcare systems through legal insight and data-driven quality strategies.