Health and nursing - Health care leadership and policy

Clinical research and regulatory oversight form the foundation of medical product discovery,  development, quality assurance and approval. This program will equip you to provide direction in bringing new medical products to market including drugs, biologics, vaccines, devices and more. As a key stakeholder in the pharmaceutical and medical industries, you’ll have the opportunity to generate new research ideas, products and solutions that improve health outcomes.

Through this interdisciplinary doctoral program, you’ll become a principled, innovative leader who’s eager to meet evolving needs in health care. Your enhanced skills and knowledge will allow you to navigate the complex global framework of regulated medical products. You’ll graduate prepared to facilitate the discovery, evaluation and approval of medical products that improve public health.

What you’ll learn in this first-of-its-kind program

In the first doctoral program to combine regulatory science with clinical research management, you’ll learn about a leader’s role in developing new medical products efficiently. In your courses, you’ll hone your interpersonal, analytical, ethical and cultural competencies. You’ll also build a knowledge base related to regulatory and clinical research management, including:

• Clinical research leadership.
• Clinical trial design and management.
• Data management and analysis.
• Ethical and legal issues in clinical research.
• Quality assurance and compliance.

Who’s a good candidate for this online doctoral program?

Ideal candidates for this doctoral program have a passion for research in health care and improving lives. Successful applicants will also have strong academic and career backgrounds in biomedical sciences, regulatory affairs, data analysis or clinical research management. Relevant work experience might include serving as a clinical research coordinator, clinical trial manager, regulatory affairs specialist, principal investigator and more.

Additionally, applicants must have a master’s degree in clinical research management, regulatory affairs or a related field. A graduate-level foundation in the sciences including biology, chemistry and pharmacology is also key to success in the program.

Are you interested in learning more about this program and other graduate health programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register now for an upcoming live, virtual information session.

This program provides you with the insights and skills needed to guide organizations through current and emerging legal challenges. You’ll learn about patient privacy regulations, end-of-life care decisions, organizational risk management and health care facility compliance. Key focus areas include:

• Compliance and regulations: Understand and apply health care laws like HIPAA, billing standards and quality measures to ensure legal compliance.
• Health information management: Protect patient data and meet privacy and security requirements across health care systems.
• Medical ethics and malpractice: Navigate ethical dilemmas in patient care and reduce legal risks tied to malpractice claims.
• Patient rights and advocacy: Support patient access, informed consent and grievance processes within health care organizations.
• Policy and insurance law: Interpret health care policies and insurance regulations to guide operations and advocate for organizational needs.
• Risk and facility management: Address legal risks and oversee licensing, certification and compliance standards for health care facilities.

Designed for health care practitioners and administrators who do not intend to practice law, this program teaches you the legal frameworks that shape health care systems and the people they serve. You’ll gain specialized knowledge in health care law, strengthening your role in a growing industry. With the health care sector projected to expand significantly over the next decade, there is increasing demand for educated professionals who can translate laws and regulations that improve patient outcomes and organizational success.

What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?

While an emphasis and concentration are similar, there are key differences.

• A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major requiring a minimum of 15 credit hours; at least nine must be upper division. The concentration appears on your ASU diploma and transcripts.
• An emphasis is a selected topic area defined within the major that’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared.

This RN to MSN online puts you on a streamlined path to leadership, in addition to roles in education, research, quality and informatics. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nursing profession is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average for all occupations.

Upon graduation, you’ll enter this growing field prepared to face health care reform, advances in technology and discoveries in evidence-based practice. Emphasizing leadership and innovation in the nursing profession, you’ll gain skills that are critical to enacting system change, improving patient outcomes and creating effective teams, including:

• Addressing practice and policy issues within organizations.
• Building a personal leadership style.
• Exemplifying the role of a nurse leader.
• Increasing team collaboration.
• Responding to complex situations.
• Understanding the interrelationship between nursing practice and research.

These skills equip you to pursue nurse leadership roles or continue your education in a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

The benefits of an RN to MSN program

This Master of Science in nursing bridge option allows ADN-prepared nurses to earn a graduate degree without a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or other bachelor’s degree. You’ll graduate with a combination of nursing skills and advanced knowledge needed to improve health care, including:

• Coordinated, safe and effective care.
• Patient-centered health services.
• Reduced costs.

The curriculum features two bridge courses at the beginning of the program, developed as a link to graduate-level nursing courses. These courses don’t lead to a BSN, but rather bridge the gap between your ADN and the Master of Science in nursing. You’ll also participate in two practicums which are customizable to fit your career aspirations.

Are you interested in learning more about this program and other graduate nursing programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register now for an upcoming live, virtual information session.

Do you need to be a registered nurse to apply to this program?

Yes. To be eligible to apply for this Master of Science in nursing bridge, you must have a current, unencumbered RN license. While you don’t need to be currently employed as an RN, it’s ideal if you are.

This program is for ADN-prepared nurses. If you’re a BSN-prepared nurse, check out our non-bridge Master of Science in nursing.

Accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education, this program focuses on three key areas:

• Evidence-based practice.
• Patient safety.
• Health care quality and leadership.

With flexible preceptorships and coursework, you can tailor your learning experience to meet your needs and future aspirations. This program’s curriculum includes competencies outlined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials and the National League for Nursing.

Your courses may feature topics such as transformational leadership, innovative thinking and interprofessional team collaboration content, which will prepare you for roles related to system change and enhancing health workplaces for efficiency and improved patient outcomes. You’ll also complete a clinical practicum in your area of interest to gain hands-on experience in the field.

Do you want to learn more about this program and other graduate nursing programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register now for an upcoming live, virtual information session.

Who’s a good candidate for this program?

This program is ideal for nurses looking to gain advanced education and skills in the translation of concepts, practices and principles of leadership. To pursue this master’s program, you must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited institution or be in the process of completing a BSN when applying. Additionally, you must have an RN license before applying or plan to receive your RN license within the first semester of beginning this master’s program.

If you’re an RN with an associate degree, you may apply to the RN to Master of Science in nursing bridge program.

• Interested in becoming a nurse educator? Explore our Master of Science in nursing with a concentration in nursing education.
• Interested in becoming a nurse practitioner? ASU’s Edson College offers Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. These programs are offered in a hybrid iCourse and in-person format.

What can you do with an MSN?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) encourages nurses to strive for higher levels of education to enhance quality of care and meet the needs of diverse patient populations. In 2019, AACN endorsed a new position that all nurses should take the next step in their education in an effort to create a highly educated nursing workforce.

Building on your current skills, this master’s in nursing will advance your knowledge in patient-centered health services, improved health outcomes and reduction of health care costs. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped with a pathway to career advancement in the field of nursing. This program can also prepare you for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

This program provides an advanced understanding of aging and equips you with specialized skills to improve outcomes. You’ll learn to advocate for older adults, educate others on age-inclusive practices and drive change in how society supports aging populations.

Comprehensive training in aging can open doors to diverse career paths and leadership opportunities. Beyond health care, your expertise will be valuable in sectors that serve older adults, ranging from insurance and banking to law and social work.

You’ll graduate prepared to lead in long-term care, aging services, case management, palliative care and end-of-life care. You may also pursue research opportunities or launch senior-focused ventures.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

Courses explore gerontological frameworks to understand the holistic needs of older patients, including how to distinguish normal aging from signs of abnormality. You’ll examine the physical, psychological and social impacts of acute and chronic conditions. Coursework also addresses the broad scope of supporting older adults through direct care and systems-level solutions.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, you’ll build hands-on skills to:

• Advocate for health care policy reform.
• Analyze and apply aging-related research.
• Assess response to interventions.
• Design and implement evidence-based programs.
• Effectively communicate with older adults.
• Navigate the financial aspects of aging, such as retirement, health care, wills and trusts.
• Provide support to caregivers.

Prepare for gerontologist credentialing from an Age-Friendly University

ASU is recognized as an Age-Friendly University by the Gerontological Society of America, joining a global network committed to advancing age-inclusive programs and policies. This program’s curriculum is guided by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education competencies and provides a strong academic foundation in aging and older adult well-being.

After graduating, you can apply for the gerontologist credential through the National Association of Professional Gerontologists (NAPG). This designation can strengthen your resume and support your career advancement.

Want to learn more about this program and other graduate offerings from ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register for an upcoming live virtual information session.