Clinical Nurse Leader Program
Become a change agent to improve patient care as a Clinical Nurse Leader.
The Clinical Nurse Leader program prepares nurses to better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by the broader patient base and health care system. Learn how to put evidence-based practice into action and expand your role as a leader.
Program Length
37 credits
Plus 448 clinical immersion hours
Program Format
Hybrid Online
Coursework is offered in-person or online in the evenings.
Application Deadline
Sept. 15
For the Spring 2026 semester start
Graduates of this program will be prepared to sit for the national certification exam with the Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC) to earn professional certification as a CNL. Over the last four years, 100% of our CNL graduates passed the CNL certification exam on their first attempt.
Why Become a CNL?
There is a critical need to improve the quality of patient care outcomes. Nurses who earn a master's degree as a CNL become clinical leaders who work at the complex intersection of clinical care, population health, and health care management to focus on safety and quality.
Program Curriculum & Outcomes
We were one of the first institutions to offer a master’s degree aligned with the CNL certification, and we are the only CNL program in Upstate NY. The CNL program features hybrid coursework and an immersion experience/capstone project, preparing nurses to:
- put evidence-based clinical practice into action with a focus on safety and quality
- improve patient care at the point of care delivery
- expand their role as care coordinators, clinical informaticists, unit educators, program coordinators, nurse managers, or nurse executives.
The CNL degree really prepares you to jump into any environment and change it for the better. In my current role, I am able to dive into clinical challenges that people are having or clinical workflows on a unit and find ways for technology to meet those needs.
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Meet the Program Director
Maria A. Marconi, EdD, RN, CNE
Director, Leadership and Nursing Education programs
Maria Marconi is a nationally recognized leader in nursing education leader with expertise in nursing education, curriculum development, program assessment, and accreditation. She has consulted and presented extensively in the area of academic program development and student learning assessments for pre-licensure programs, focusing on optimizing NCLEX-RN outcomes.
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Learn more about the Clinical Nurse Leader program, how to apply, and financial aid and scholarship information.
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