Nurses are the heart of patient care, and increasingly, the driving force behind healthcare innovation. As hospitals and health systems evolve, nurses are stepping into leadership roles that extend far beyond the bedside. They are managing teams, shaping policy, improving quality outcomes, and ensuring that patient voices remain central in the decision-making process.

To lead effectively in this new era, nurses need more than clinical expertise. They need the business, leadership, and policy skills to navigate complex healthcare systems and deliver sustainable results. That is where Cornell University’s Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) comes in.

Why Nurses Choose Cornell’s EMHA

Offered through Cornell’s Sloan Program in Health Administration, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected programs, the EMHA builds on more than 70 years of experience developing healthcare leaders. The program is part of the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy and is ranked ninth nationally among Best Graduate Schools in Health Care Management by U.S. News & World Report. It is also the only Ivy League hybrid Master of Health Administration accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME).

This hybrid structure combines rigorous online coursework with short in-person sessions that fit seamlessly into a working nurse’s schedule. Unlike clinical graduate programs such as the MSN or DNP, the EMHA focuses on executive-level competencies that prepare nurses to lead organizations, not just teams.

What You Will Learn

Cornell’s EMHA curriculum develops five essential leadership competencies that build on a nurse’s clinical foundation:

• Business and Analytical Skills – Understand the financial and operational factors that shape healthcare organizations.
• Leadership and Relationship Management – Lead interdisciplinary teams with confidence and empathy.
• Communication Skills – Influence effectively across departments and with executive stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the Healthcare Environment – Connect clinical practice with policy, economics, and system-level thinking.
• Professionalism – Model ethical leadership and integrity in complex organizational settings.

Courses such as Healthcare Finance and Accounting, Health Law, Managing Operations, and Quality Improvement for Managers connect directly to real-world challenges nurse leaders face. Each class is designed to help students apply their clinical insights to strategic decision-making, blending the human side of care with the business of healthcare.

Learn from and With Industry Leaders

Every EMHA cohort represents the full spectrum of the healthcare field, including nurses, administrators, consultants, and professionals from hospitals, insurance companies, biotech, and government. This diversity enriches the learning experience, offering nurses the opportunity to collaborate with peers who bring unique perspectives from across the healthcare ecosystem.

Faculty members from the Brooks School and the Sloan Program combine academic expertise with practical leadership experience. Through instructor-led discussions, peer collaboration, and real-world projects, nurses gain the tools to lead change across clinical, operational, and financial domains.

Policy, Advocacy, and Systems Thinking

At the Brooks School, nurses also learn how to drive change beyond the hospital walls. Coursework in Health Economics and Health Policy and a Washington, D.C. immersion experience prepare students to understand and influence the broader systems that shape public health. Graduates leave equipped not only to manage organizations, but to advocate for policies that improve access, quality, and equity in healthcare.

Cornell and the Brooks School also proudly support nurses with military backgrounds. As the only Ivy League Purple Heart University, Cornell’s EMHA is approved for GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program benefits.

Career Outcomes

Graduates of the EMHA program often advance into senior leadership and executive roles, including:

• Chief Nursing Officer
• Director of Nursing
• Hospital Administrator
• Policy Advisor
• Healthcare Consultant

The program also attracts nurse practitioners and clinical leaders who aspire to start their own practices or move into entrepreneurial ventures. Cornell’s EMHA provides the business foundation and leadership mindset needed to succeed in these dynamic roles.

Hear from Our Alumni

“The EMHA program at Cornell transformed my perspective and career as a nurse leader. I gained the insight, tools, and confidence to merge clinical expertise with leadership and business strategy to drive meaningful change in healthcare. This experience empowered me to see the bigger picture of healthcare delivery, advocate for system improvement, and lead with purpose and vision. It has truly expanded my impact far beyond the bedside and opened doors to new opportunities for growth and leadership.” – Kristin Owen EMHA ’23, Director of Nursing, Cortland Surgical Care Center

Ready to Lead the Future of Healthcare?

If you are ready to elevate your impact as a nurse leader, explore Cornell’s Executive Master of Health Administration. The admissions team takes a holistic approach, seeking applicants who demonstrate leadership, integrity, innovation, and a commitment to improving healthcare for all.

 

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