Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Programs
Master's-level generalist preparation for leading care at the point of care.
Clinical Nurse Leader is a clinical or functional track, not a degree name: it is offered within MSN, DNP or post-master's certificate programs. Schools appear here when they reported graduate awards in this field to IPEDS or when we verified a program with this track.
Data last reviewed: October 6, 2026
Sources: IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education) / CCNE directory / ACEN directory / official school websites
Listing does not certify educational quality or guarantee licensure eligibility. Verify details with the school before applying.
Listed alphabetically. Inclusion is editorial selection, not a ranking — see our methodology. How schools are selected
Schools (24)
| School | Location | Ownership | Nursing awards / programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-FNP, MSN-PMHNP, Post-Master's, Post-Master's-PMHNP, DNP, DNP-CNL, DNP-FNP, PhD | CCNE |
| University of San Diego | San Diego, CA | Private nonprofit | MSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-Leadership, DNP, PhD | CCNE |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | Public | BSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-Leadership | CCNE |
| Xavier University | Cincinnati, OH | Private nonprofit | BSN, MSN, MSN-CNL, MSN-FNP, Post-Master's-FNP | CCNE |