The Elm

The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is pleased to announce that, following approval by the Maryland Higher Education Commission in Summer 2026, a revised Master of Science in Nursing, Nursing Leadership and Management (MSN NLM) program will launch in Fall 2026.

The re-conceptualized curriculum aligns with state-level academic reporting requirements and the updated American Nurses Credentialing Center Nursing Certification Validation process. These revisions ensure that UMSON continues to prepare graduates with the most current, practice-ready leadership/education/business competencies.

Key curriculum enhancements include:

• Defining one semester credit hour as 45 hours of instructional activity, including practicum, clinical, and internship experiences.
• Clear delineation of practicum, clinical, and practice hours across the curriculum.
• Reallocating practicum hours from Essentials in Health Care Informatics, Managerial Health Finance, Organizational Theory: Application to Health Services Management, and Administration of Nursing and Health Care Services.
• Removal of the 1 credit Professional Writing course 
• Expansion of Practicum in Nursing Leadership and Management II from 4 credits and 180 hours to 5 credits and 225 hours
• Introduction of a 5-practice hour scholarly paper in the final semester

Students enrolled in the existing plan of study will have opportunities to benefit from selected revised courses and enhanced content as these courses are phased in. This approach ensures continuity while allowing current students to take advantage of updated leadership/education/business competencies and emerging practice expectations.

Read more about the restructured program.