Nurse Administration 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 program approvals, please refer to our State Authorization & Licensure Disclosures page.
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
The Associate, Baccalaureate, Master's, master’s/post-master's certificate, and clinical doctorate programs at Arkansas State University located in State University, AR and West Memphis, AR are accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326 (404) 975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate, Baccalaureate, Master's, Master's/post-master's certificate, and clinical doctorate programs is continuing accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2 | 6/29/26 | 5/25/26 | 5/25/26 | 6/8/26 | 6/26/26 | 8/14/26 |
| Fall 1 | 8/19/26 | 7/15/26 | 7/15/26 | 7/29/26 | 8/14/26 | 10/2/26 |
| Fall 2 | 10/12/26 | 9/7/26 | 9/7/26 | 9/21/26 | 10/9/26 | 12/4/26 |
Now enrolling:
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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
Nurse Administrator Graduate Certificate Admissions Guidelines
- Complete online application and submit application fee (see Application Submission Requirements below)
- 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
English Proficiency Requirements
The College of Nursing and Health Professions School of Nursing requires a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure.
Applicants whose primary language is not English or did not attend K-12 in the United States must demonstrate English language proficiency through the following tests:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 4.5 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT), 570 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test
- For exams taken before January 21, 2026:
We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 86 - For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026:
We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.5
- For exams taken before January 21, 2026:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 7 and a spoken band score of 7
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a score of 63
- Accuplacer Exit ESL with a score of 109
The TOEFL and Exit ESL are available at the Testing Center. When taking the exam off campus, the report code for A-State is 6011. All test scores are valid for two (2) years.
Exemptions may apply: See A-State's international undergraduate and graduate admission pages for more information.
Application Submission Requirements
Submitting your application takes three easy steps: filling out the application, submitting your documents and paying the application fee.
- When completing the online application, select 100% online student and then complete all the steps on the online application.
- Pay $30.00 non-refundable application fee.
- Submit all official college transcripts. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.
If you have any questions along the way, call us at 866-621-8096, and we'll be happy to help answer questions.
Document Submission Address
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.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.
You can view your schedule of courses for this certificate through the Course Smartsheet:
View the AOS Course Smartsheet
How to Use the Course Smartsheet