Online Executive Leader Graduate Certificate for Nurses

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Program at a Glance
  • Pursue administrative or managerial positions and leadership roles in a range of health care settings.
  • Gain valuable real-world experience by completing a practicum and capstone course.
  • Prepare for the certification examinations.
  • Start when it's convenient for you and complete most of your coursework online.
COURSE EFFORT 15 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10 Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 30
COST PER CREDIT $420
Ways to Save
How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

October 16
January 8
March 25
June 10

Executive Leader Graduate Certificate Overview

Are you a registered nurse interested in pursuing a more rewarding position focused on leadership in nursing? Consider earning your Executive Leader Graduate Certificate online at Purdue Global.

This postgraduate certificate program in nursing focuses on the principles of personnel management, policy development and implementation, budgeting, and the use of information technology in advanced nursing roles.

Study topics such as:

  • Leadership, organizational theory, and behaviors
  • Finance and strategic planning in health care
  • Human resources management
  • Innovation in health care IT

As part of the certificate program, you will complete a practicum experience and work with a preceptor who is an experienced nurse administrator in a contemporary health care setting.

Prepare for Future Studies

Interested in earning your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)? Practicum hours completed in the certificate program can apply toward the requirements of a Purdue Global DNP.† Learn more about the DNP.


See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Note: At this time, residents of Tennessee may not enroll in this program.

Prepare for Nurse Executive Certification

Earning this graduate certificate can help you prepare to take the following American Nurses Credentialing Center certification exams*:

  • Nursing Executive
  • Nursing Executive, Advanced

Eligibility is dependent on your level of leadership with your organization.

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

Nursing Leadership Career Opportunities

This certificate program is designed to help professional nurses like you pursue managerial positions and leadership roles in settings such as hospitals, community health clinics, long-term care facilities, and other health care systems.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Active Learning
  2. Active Listening
  3. Critical Thinking
  4. Social Perceptiveness
  5. Speaking

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2016–2028) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement. Additional certification or licensing may be required to work in certain fields. Prior experience may be necessary for leadership positions.

Build on your master's degree in nursing by completing six courses focused on nursing administration, including practicum and capstone courses.

Sample Courses
  • Leadership, Organizational Theory, and Behavior
  • Health Care Finance, Strategic Planning, and Budgeting
  • Human Resources Management
  • Innovation in Health Care Information Technology
See All Nursing Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits30
  • Total Credits30

Ways to Save

Program Cost Estimator

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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Nursing Faculty Directory
97% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
45% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
218 Faculty publications in 2017–2018
Nearly 87,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2017–2018

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis and Center for Teaching and Learning. 2017–2018 academic year. Note: all figures include data prior to the March 2018 purchase of Kaplan University by Purdue University and subsequent creation of Purdue University Global.

Gainful Employment Disclosures

Access gainful employment information, including program length, tuition costs, financing options, and success rates.‡

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School Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our nursing programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

†The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs.

‡Purdue University acquired Kaplan University in March 2018 and created Purdue University Global, which is following the same curriculum format and instructional delivery methods as developed and used by Kaplan University. These disclosures are based on Kaplan University data reported prior to the acquisition.