Become an effective leader in a fast-changing healthcare environment.
The Leadership in Health Care Systems program from the University of Rochester School of Nursing is designed for working professionals from healthcare-related backgrounds. Sharpen your skills as a manager or leader and pursue new opportunities in healthcare.
Program length
31 credits
Complete the program part-time in as little as five semesters.
Program format
Hybrid Online
Coursework is offered in-person or online in the evenings.
Application deadline
Sept. 15
For Spring 2027 semester start
There is a tremendous need for effective and ethical healthcare leaders with the ability to manage interdisciplinary teams in a complex and evolving healthcare environment.
The Leadership in Health Care Systems curriculum is broadly interdisciplinary with a focus on the “big picture” opportunities and challenges facing healthcare systems.
Through hybrid coursework and a hands-on capstone project, you’ll sharpen your skills as a manager or leader and learn best practices to assure efficient, quality, and safe patient care delivery systems.
The program also features 224 hours of mentored field placement with healthcare leaders across Western NY. Not only will you gain real-world management experience, but you will forge invaluable professional relationships.
You have this great idea in your head and you really want to make some sort of difference in the world. And then, being able to pull all those resources and have somebody help you gather your thoughts and then put it on paper so that you sound like the leader that you want to be. I think that's the thing that the classes have really done a great job in helping us do.
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Joy Lent, EdD, BS, RN, CNEcl
Interim Director, CNL & Leadership in Health Care Systems programs
Joy Lent brings a complementary, practice-informed perspective to program leadership, grounded in more than 20 years of experience across education and clinical care. After beginning her career as a secondary health educator, she transitioned into nursing and practiced as a surgical oncology nurse before joining the University of Rochester School of Nursing faculty. With nearly a decade of teaching across programs, she focuses on student success, clinical excellence, and leadership development. Her doctoral work in higher education leadership centers on capstone experiences and the transition to professional practice—preparing graduates to lead in complex healthcare environments.
See Joy's profileLearn more about the Leadership in Health Care Systems program, how to apply, and financial aid and scholarship information.
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