Post-Graduate Certificate
i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems
Got a master’s in nursing and want to become a leader in healthcare? This program could be perfect for you. With this certificate, you can move from direct patient care to an administrative role. You'll learn how to strengthen the nursing profession and patient outcomes through systems-level changes, versus at an individual level. You'll collaborate with providers, executives, and technology experts to improve patient safety and quality of care.
Overview
Format
100% online
Fully remote program with opportunities to connect with your peers and teachers through virtual meetings and discussion boards.
Avg. time to complete
1.5-2 years
4 semesters
One low tuition rate for everyone
Whether you live in-state or out-of-state, you pay the same tuition. Get a great education from Colorado's top nursing college* without worrying about paying higher costs based on where you live.
Expert faculty dedicated to your success
Many of our faculty are recognized locally and nationally for their excellence in nursing, education, and research. Our educators are passionate about helping students advance their knowledge and careers.
Career
The Post Graduate Certificate i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems program prepares you for a new professional path. You'll gain the skills and knowledge you need to innovate in leadership and administration, what the program name i-LEAD stands for — I for Innovation, LE for Leadership, and AD for Administration.
Example job titles
- Nurse manager
- Nursing director
- Nurse administrator
What you can do
- Direct efforts to improve patient safety and quality of care
- Manage initiatives to educate and retain healthcare workers
- Lead teams and organizational change
Where you can work
- Hospitals
- Pharmaceutical and medical device companies
- Public policy, legislative, and regulatory entities
- + more
Admissions
Deadline(s)
| Start term | Application opens | Priority deadlinetooltip | Extended deadlinetooltip |
| Fall 2025 | August 15, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | July 1, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | January 15, 2025 | July 1, 2025 | Not applicable |
Get started
1
Check the requirements
Understand the admissions requirements like how many letters of recommendation you need and what courses should be on your transcript.
2
Start your application
Work on your application and submit it through NursingCAS.
Curriculum
Practical training
This program focuses on behind-the-scenes aspects of nursing, so you’ll complete an internship instead of clinical hours. Your internship will give you practical experience implementing management and administrative solutions that improve patient care.
Classroom learning
You’ll spend 15 credit hours in online classes learning about relational communication, inferential statistics, and more.
Costs
| Residency status | Estimated total tuition** |
| Colorado residents | $14,130 |
| Nonresidents | $14,130 |
| Additional expenses | Time frame | Estimated costs |
| Matriculation fee | One-time | $140 |
| Other fees | By term | Fall $392, Spring $232, Summer $180 |
| Books and supplies | Total for program | $2,000 |
| CU health insurance (may be waived with proof of comparable personal health insurance) | By term | Fall $1,575, Spring $1,575, Summer $1,050 |
The college’s programs let you grab every opportunity. The classes and instructors help you get to where you want to go a lot faster. Now I’m a nurse educator, and that’s because of the foundation I got at CU. I cannot say it enough; I am constantly raving about it.
Krystal Hidalgo, RN, BSN, MS
CU Nursing Alum
MS i-LEAD in Nursing and Health Care Systems program
Become the nurse leader looked to first 
Get your degree from the top nursing college in Colorado. Start your journey to become a CU nurse leader today.
Disclosures
* According to 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Schools rankings.
** Estimated total tuition based on 2024-2025 costs. For Post-Graduate Certificate tuition, estimates provided do not include
core courses that may need to be included after transcript evaluation. Tuition estimates do not include fees and other education-related costs. The in-state tuition rate is also available to nonresidents in this program through our Tuition Buy-down Initiative.
- Accreditation information.
- Certification and licensure for online students residing outside of Colorado: Please see the Nursing Certification Disclaimer and review the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements information.
- Gainful employment and program statistics: For information about graduation rates, the median debt of students completing our programs, and other important information, please visit the University of Colorado Denver Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.