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Clinical Nurse Leader

As a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), you’ll have the important clinical decision-making skills necessary to excel as a nurse, while also having the leadership skills required to thrive in any health care setting. 

The program is an accelerated nursing program for individuals with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-nursing field. After completion of the program, students are prepared to take the registered nurse licensure exam. 

By choosing to earn your CNL degree at Augusta University’s College of Nursing, you’ll be studying in one of U.S. News and World Report’s Top 100 Master of Science in Nursing programs in the nation 

Clinical Nurse Leader is for you if you consider yourself

Adventurous and Active
Helpful and Nurturing
Innovative and Cutting-edge

 

A Calling

like no

other.

Want to learn more about the Clinical Nurse Leader program at Augusta University?

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What You'll Study

Coursework

Students in Augusta University’s Master of Science in Nursing with a major in Clinical Nurse Leader program will complete 60 credit hours of coursework and 1,020 clinical hours. 

After successfully completing the 18-month program, students are prepared to take the NCLEX licensure examination for Registered Nurses and the CNL Certification exam offered by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. 

Curriculum | Admissions Criteria | Tuition and Fees | Application Deadlines

Experience-based Education

Outside the Classroom

The clinical hours required by the degree provide real-world experience in clinical decision making and nursing knowledge 

Community partnerships like the Costa-Layman Health Fair and Healthy Grandparents Program give students the opportunity to participate in health-oriented community service. 

The Interdisciplinary Simulation Center simulates a variety of health care environments to provide realistic training experiences. 

 

Top Program

As one of U.S. News and World Report’s Top 100 MSN programs in the nation, Augusta University’s CNL program has an established reputation for excellence.

 

Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to campus-wide scholarships, students may be eligible for one of the scholarships reserved for College of Nursing students.

 

Dedicated Faculty

Augusta University’s nursing faculty are committed to providing innovative nursing education that promotes health, healing and well-being in any health care setting.

 

Proud History

Since becoming the state’s first nationally-accredited baccalaureate nursing program in 1943, the College of Nursing has graduated nearly 20,000 nurses.

Your Future

Career Options

A Master's in Nursing with a Clinical Nurse Leader specialization positions you for a rewarding career with excellent growth potential and the chance to make a significant impact on patient care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a much faster than average growth rate of 40% for CNLs between 2021 and 2031.

Clinical Nurse Leader 

Salary: $90,000-$120,000

Nurse Educator

Salary: $75,000 to $100,000

Case Manager

Salary: $70,000 to $95,000

Admissions Criteria at a Glance

GPA: Overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at the Baccalaureate level calculated on all undergraduate work, with a 3.0 or higher for all math and science courses.

Degree Requirement: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.

Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges ever attended. Unofficial transcripts from US colleges and universities can be used in the admissions review process in lieu of official transcripts for this program.

Standardized Test Requirements: If applicable, TOEFL score of 550 paper-based, 213 computed-based or 79 internet-based.

Letters of Recommendation: Recommendations from three individuals must be submitted through the application portal.

Resume: Applicants must submit a resume or curriculum vitae within the application portal.

Writing Sample: An essay addressing experience and autobiographical information must be submitted within the application portal.

International Students: Please review the verification process for international transcripts and the english proficiency requirement.

Complete Admissions Requirements »

Tuition & Fees Estimate

$6,150*

Estimated total
Full-time / In-State / Per Semester

$513

Tuition Per Hour

$675

Mandatory Fees

View Detailed Program Tuition  

*Tuition & Fees listed here are for in-state students enrolling in the university for Fall 2024 semester.

Detailed Program Tuition Information

Application Deadlines

Fall '24 Application Deadline

  • August 28, 2023-March 15, 2024

Early submission of all application materials is strongly advised.

All required application materials and documents must be received in order for an application to be considered complete and before an admission decision can be made. The program does not accept applications after the application deadline; however, the program will continue to accept application materials up to 2 weeks after the application deadline.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Form I-20 for F-1 student status or Form DS-2019 for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status cannot be issued by Augusta University for enrollment in this program per U.S. immigration regulations. Questions? Please email International & Postdoctoral Services Office.

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Learning Like No Other

Why Augusta?

Recognized as a Top CNL program by U.S. News and World Report, your CNL degree will get you noticed when you’re ready to start your career.

With over $125,000 in scholarships awarded to College of Nursing students each year, your education is more accessible than ever.

A state-of-the-art simulation center provides important field experience before you go out into the field.

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A Calling Like No Other

The College of Nursing at Augusta University trains and educates today’s nursing professionals, preparing them to enter the heath care workforce and immediately improve the lives of the sick and the hurting.