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MSN in Healthcare Quality and Safety Online Master of Science in Nursing

Kristina Libby, who earned her degree from SNHU in 2017, wearing blue scrubs with a pink stethoscope around her neck.

Cost per credit $659

Total courses 12

Term length 10 weeks

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Program Overview Why get an MSN in Healthcare Quality and Safety online?

Become an advocate for change and develop skills to implement a culture of safety with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Healthcare Quality and Safety online degree from Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

This MSN track can help you become a leader in healthcare quality and safety, capable of advocating for policy change to improve healthcare outcomes and promote a continual state of readiness.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Healthcare technologies
  • Advanced communication
  • Equitable health policies
  • Quality improvement
  • Integrated healthcare systems
Dana Aulds, who earned her degree from SNHU, wearing blue scrubs and sitting at a small table with a cup of coffee next to her.

Courses & Curriculum Online MSN quality and safety courses to help you succeed

Our MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and based on professional nursing standards and guidelines. The MSN Healthcare Quality and Safety curriculum promotes advanced nursing knowledge across the 4 spheres of care and is grounded in evidence-based practice, interprofessional leadership and global health awareness.

In addition to the online coursework of the healthcare quality and safety track, you'll complete 135 clinical practicum hours under the guidance of a preceptor, providing an opportunity to apply theory to practice.

Degree Courses

Online MSN safety and quality degree courses

The online MSN in Healthcare Safety and Quality courses are designed to help you build the skills you need to advocate for a culture of safety and promote a continual state of readiness.

Courses may include:

Course ID: IHP 501
In this interprofessional course, learners will explore major global health challenges and their impact on healthcare delivery systems. Topics explored include determinants of health, multiple approaches to advance health, social justice principles, and strategies to advocate for social justice. Learners will gain knowledge to apply social justice and human rights principles to address global health and wellness.
Course ID: IHP 604
This interprofessional course will take learners through the process of healthcare delivery from a quality and safety lens. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of how quality is measured, tracked, and improved in healthcare. They will focus on organizational assessments, commonly used tools, and the application of analytical frameworks to identify the root cause of an event. Learners will gain knowledge of healthcare data relevance, use of change management principles and tools, and evaluation methods.
Course ID: IHP 610
In this interprofessional course, students will examine the ways that stakeholders and interest groups can influence health law and policies. Students will examine ways to articulate the needs of individuals, communities, and vulnerable populations based on cultural, socioeconomic, and political factors to key decision makers. They will explore concepts and principles of public health, health law, health policy, finance, and risk management in healthcare. Students will gain knowledge regarding health law and policy to inform decision-making.
Course ID: IHP 630
In this interprofessional course, students will explore healthcare reimbursement systems and financial principles relevant to strategic planning for healthcare organizations. Topics explored include revenue cycle management, governmental and non-governmental payment methodologies, and financial accounting principles. Students will gain knowledge of reimbursement methods and models, regulatory compliance requirements, and collaborative teamwork principles related to revenue cycle management.
Course ID: IHP 670
In this interprofessional course, students will explore program planning, design, and evaluation. Topics explored include needs assessment, cultural competency, ethics, and data analytics. Students will utilize project, financial, and resource management skills to achieve the outcomes of the proposed program. They will gain an understanding of how community needs assessments and resource allocation are used in program proposals. Students will also apply leadership skills that facilitate the program planning process.

Visit the course catalog to view the full MSN in Patient Safety and Quality curriculum.

Apply for free in minutes

Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: Nov. 10, 2025 | Feb. 2, 2026

Next term starts:
August 25, 2025

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 91.6% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2024 survey with 8,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

10-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Faculty Profile

Learn from dedicated instructors

With Southern New Hampshire University's online MSN programs, you'll learn from instructors with industry experience. All of our 100% full-time faculty are doctorally prepared and come to the classroom with real-world healthcare experience.

Featured Faculty

Dr. Debra K. Sowell, DNP, RN

Dr. Debra K. Sowell joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2016 as an adjunct faculty member with her decades of experience in healthcare and higher education. In 2018, she transitioned to her current position, serving as graduate faculty team lead, patient safety quality capstone coordinator and healthcare quality safety practicum coordinator. In 2023, Sowell received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty.

Position
Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Joined SNHU
2016

Education

  • DNP from Duquesne University
  • MSN and BSN from South University
  • Diploma in Nursing from Baptist Medical System School of Nursing

"In the MSN in Patient Safety and Quality program, you'll participate in simulated and clinical experiences as you complete course work. In addition, you'll get supervised, clinical practicum hours in a healthcare setting that focuses on safety and quality."

Read more about Dr. Debra K. Sowell and other online faculty at SNHU.

5 ways SNHU makes the admission process "easy-peasy" #shorts

Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free

No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.

All it takes is 3 simple steps

It's easy, fast and free.

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Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.

MSN admission requirements for the healthcare quality and safety track are:

  • Must maintain an active unencumbered registered nurse license. Licensure exam must be equivalent to NCLEX-RN examination. (If a student holds active licenses in more than 1 state/jurisdiction, all licenses must be unencumbered.)
  • Must have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program (ACEN, CCNE or CNEA).
  • The required minimum cumulative GPA for MSN admission is a 3.0. For purposes of MSN admission, cumulative GPA is calculated by including the pre-licensure BSN or associate degree/diploma in nursing and the BSN.
  • Must complete the MSN Program Acknowledgement Form.

Provisional acceptance may be extended to applicants with an undergraduate GPA between 2.67 and 2.99.

SNHU nursing programs are not authorized in the state of Washington or U.S. territories, and we are not accepting students residing in Washington state or U.S. territories into nursing programs at this time. Currently enrolled students who move into the state of Washington or a U.S. territory will not be able to continue in nursing courses until they move out of the state of Washington or the U.S. territory. Prospective students are encouraged to contact admission, and current students should contact their advisor, for more information.

Please note that we are currently only accepting students in the family nurse practitioner track in the following states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey. Students must reside in 1 of these states while taking FNP courses at SNHU, and all practicum experiences must be completed in 1 of these states. Please note that the family nurse practitioner track is accepting applications from a limited number of students per term.

Applicants and students are advised that their success in their chosen program may be dependent on an ability to meet the Nursing Program Health and Technical Requirements (PDF).

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and the master’s degree program in nursing at Southern New Hampshire University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202.887.6791.

NECHE Logo CCNE Accredited Logo

Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online graduate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 36-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$659
$1,977
$23,724
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$470
$1,410
$16,920

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Students enrolled in the MSN program may be subject to ongoing licensure checks through a third party vendor, additional fees will apply and may vary by state.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$1,977 $3,954 $5,931 $7,908
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 3 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $21,747

If 6 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $19,770

If 9 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $17,793

If 12 of your prior learning credits ($659/credit) are accepted toward your master’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $15,816

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a master's degree. Most master's degrees require 36 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 12 credits, requiring a minimum of 24 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an MSN safety and quality degree?

An MSN in Healthcare Safety and Quality can help prepare you to pursue roles as a nurse leader. Top treatment centers – including ANCC Magnet hospitals – are seeking nurses with advanced degrees to take their patient care to the next level.

Occupations

When you earn your MSN in patient safety and quality, you'll gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in various healthcare settings, including:

Take the lead in a number of hospital settings, including emergency departments, trauma centers, intensive care and cardiology.

Improve the outcomes of patients through identifying inefficiencies and potential safety and quality measures and make recommendations to update policy, communication and culture.

28%

Job growth projected nationally for medical and health services managers through 2032, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1

$110,680

The median annual wage nationally for medical and health services managers as of May 2023, according to the BLS.1 Statistic not based on wage data for SNHU graduates.

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, not on SNHU graduate outcomes, and do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

What SNHU students are saying

George (Jorge) Carillo '20.

I had a good experience with my online studies. The program challenged me and provided ample opportunities to enhance my literature appraisal and writing skills.

George (Jorge) Carillo '20

Frequently Asked Questions

MSN stands for Master of Science in Nursing. An MSN is a graduate-level degree designed to help prepare registered nurses for success in an advanced healthcare role. Healthcare quality and safety is a discipline within nursing that focuses on improving care outcomes through process, policy, practice and culture on both a macro and micro level.

At Southern New Hampshire University, you can earn your online MSN in Healthcare Safety and Quality, or pursue one of our other online MSN tracks: nursing executive leadership, population healthcare, nursing education or family nurse practitioner.

Nurses are one of many healthcare professionals that play a role in healthcare safety and quality.

Patient safety is not one single person's responsibility – it's a systematic issue that requires effective leadership, teamwork and communication.

As a nurse with an online MSN Healthcare Quality and Safety, you can gain the skills you need to lead teams as they implement better patient care processes. Armed with these skills, you can help make healthcare settings safer in a number of ways – such as preventing infection rates, establishing checks and balances to mitigate mistakes, and facilitating communication between staff, patients and their families.

This depends on your chosen track. MSN tracks can help prepare you for roles in leadership, administration, population health, nursing education, nurse practitioner and more.

If you are interested in becoming an NP, Southern New Hampshire University does offer a family nurse practitioner track. This track aligns with nurse practitioner competencies and can help prepare you for nationally recognized nurse practitioner exams. After successfully passing an NP exam, you can then apply to your state board of nursing to become a practicing NP.

Healthcare quality and safety are very closely tied together. According to the National Academy of Medicine, patient safety is "indistinguishable from the delivery of quality health care."2

Together, healthcare quality and safety are designed to reach desired outcomes, prevent error, learn from errors when they do occur and build a culture that prioritizes the well-being of all patients, professionals and organizations.

The obvious answer is that better safety and quality measures lead to better care. Beyond that, the numbers indicating adverse harm in healthcare settings are staggering. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) specifically noted that, in high-income countries, 1 in 10 patients is harmed while receiving hospital care.3 This harm is reportedly caused by a range of adverse events, and nearly 50% of these cases are considered preventable.3

Consider, too, that this data predated the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent world events have further exposed the vulnerabilities of systems within healthcare – from staffing to supply chain to a host of other complex needs.

In its 2021 report, "The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity," the National Academy of Medicine points out some of the issues that have come to light:

"In the current health care system, care is often disjointed, with processes varying between primary and specialty care and between traditional and emerging care sites," the report notes.4 "People may not understand the processes of the health care system, such as where they will receive care, how to make appointments, or the various providers with whom they may come into contact."4

Because of this, today's nurses need to be well-versed in the art of "care management" – a cornerstone of healthcare safety and quality that can help deliver superior outcomes for the patients that need it most.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations 

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm (viewed Jul. 9, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm (viewed Jul. 9, 2024)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

2National Center for Biotechnology Information, Defining Patient Safety & Quality Care, on the internet, at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2681/ (viewed Jul. 9, 2024)

3World Health Organization, 10 facts on patient safety, on the internet, at https://www.who.int/news-room/photo-story/photo-story-detail/10-facts-on-patient-safety (viewed Jul. 9, 2024)

4National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2021. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25982. (Jul. 9, 2024)