MSN/MBA Dual Degree Programs in North Carolina

What is an MSN/MBA Dual Degree Program?

Those with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may wish to further their education. They may be able to do this through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). However, some students may also wish to work in leadership and management style roles in the field. That is where the addition of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) may prove valuable. Achieving both at the same time is possible with an MSN/MBA dual degree program.

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This dual degree program often enables a person to mix their business skills with their health care experience. This degree plan often includes completing the Health Services Leadership and Management concentration. There are other options as well.

A person pursuing this path often already has a bachelor’s degree. Or, if they do not, that is generally the first step in the process. Once enrolled in a master’s degree plan, students may choose various electives to help them to improve their ability to work in specific sectors of the industry. Some may wish to complete courses in human resource management. Others may focus their education on financial management. There are usually various opportunities for concentrations here.

Some people enter this degree path as a way to take their career in a new direction. As a graduate degree program, the MSN/MBA typically enables students to move away from solely providing patient care. In some situations, students may want to focus their skills on helping to support healthcare systems. Others may want to move towards entrepreneurship in the health care industry.

Those who wish to work in administration or other management level fields may wish to pursue this path. It may help them to contribute to decision making in the health system. That may include resource management, strategic planning, financial considerations, and governance issues. The type of work completed often depends on the electives and concentrations students complete. Take a closer look at what to expect here.

What can I do with an MSN/MBA Dual Degree?

Those who earn an MSN/MBA dual degree may have the skills to work in areas outside of just patient care. This may include working as a nurse leader, a director of nursing, clinical manager, or chief executive officer in healthcare settings. They typically work in a leadership role in a healthcare organization. Some work to manage a nursing practice as well.

Is an MSN/MBA Dual Degree worth it?

For many, entering nursing practice is a rewarding career. This master’s degree plan may help them to work in a leadership role or in another management style role in a healthcare organization. That may be a desirable move for some already working in the field. Students must often define what they want from graduate programs. This may be based on their career goals. There is typically a lot of flexibility in this course path.

Salary & Job Outlook

Take a closer look at some of the career paths that may be available to those completing the MSN and MBA dual degree.

Top States for Jobs as a Health Services Manager

What classes will I take in a MSN/MBA Program?

The coursework and curriculum depends on the level of education a student has. In addition, students may take courses based on their concentration interests. Many of these programs have prerequisites. Those are often outlined in admission requirements. Here is a look at some of the courses in this degree path.

Bachelors Degree Courses 

Fundamentals of Nursing:

This course often introduces students to the field of nursing. It has a design to be broad range and covers multiple areas of the field to provide a solid foundation for the student.

Applied Nutrition in Health and Disease:

This course usually covers the nutrition aspect that nurses are going to deal with. Knowing how to understand different diet restrictions and what to allow patients to consume based on the orders from a doctor.

Health Care in the Community:

This course typically focuses on the delivery of healthcare to the community. Students may be going out for field experience to see how the program works and what all is entailed in the profession.

Introduction to Pharmacology:

This course often introduces students to the study of different medications. In this course, students may gain a base knowledge of different drug purposes. Items such as interactions, dosages, and administering of the drugs may all be covered.

Masters Level Courses

Health Promotion for A Global Society:

In this course students often go over the topics of healthcare and its effects on a global scale. This may be used to help understand the business of healthcare. The course could also cover the impact of differing levels of healthcare globally.

Theory and Research in Nursing:

This course usually goes over different research methods as applied to nursing. Using different approaches and methods to develop and test theories both medically and on the business end of healthcare. How to write and present theories may also be covered in this course.

Healthcare Law:

In this course students often get a look at what happens regarding to dealing with insurance as well as laws and regulations regarding privacy. How to properly speak to and present to patients as well as to those who are running the business end of the hospital. Often learning consequences and courses of action to protect the patients as well as the medical professional.

Human Resources and Workplace Development:

This course aims to cover how to hire members of a staff. It also often covers explaining benefits and how to handle different situations as they arise in the workplace. How to deal with all of the ever changing employee and employer relationship and atmosphere.

How long does it take to complete an MSN/MBA Dual Degree Program?

The coursework and practicum often define how long an MSN and MBA dual degree program may take. Most often, students spend 3 to 4 years, sometimes longer, completing this program. There may be some options for shortening that timeframe. Those who hold licensure as a registered nurse may be able to speed up the process with work experience or previous classes. Some programs are accelerated. That means they are set up to allow a student to work through it in less time. This often includes a heavy course load and year-round learning.

Some people need more flexibility. They may work and wish to complete their nursing degree. In this case, part time enrollment may be an option. Online programs may also help students complete their education at their own rate. This may extend the time needed to complete the degree.

Certifications

Those working towards their master’s degree often do not need to complete any specific certifications. The same applies to doctoral study. However, some students may wish to obtain a post-master’s certificate. This may allow the student to complete his or her education with a specific concentration. Examples may include:

• Family nurse practitioner
• Emergency nurse practitioner
• Women’s health nurse practitioner
• Nurse midwifery
• Neonatal nurse practitioner
• Adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner

Accreditations

Nursing practitioner programs are accredited by several organizations. The most common include:

• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

Some specialty accreditations may be present in addition to these. This includes the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME). 

MBA programs are often accredited by several organizations. Some of the most common include:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
• Northwest Accreditation Commission (NAC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Scholarships

As you begin to work towards an MSN/MBA dual degree program or courses, you may want to think about scholarships. Take a look at program requirements and offers that may be available to you. Keep in mind, other scholarships may be available as well.  Seek out those in your concentration. That could be information systems, healthcare administration, or healthcare environment, among others.

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

Value: There are a total of 40 scholarships that are awarded. There are ten for $10,000 and 30 for $5,000. These scholarships are for one year and they are non renewable.
Deadline: August
Requirements:

• Two essays
• Application form

This scholarship program is designed to help those students who have already completed at least one of ear of school in a healthcare program. The primary basis for this award is the demonstration of leadership as well as academic performance.

ENA Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program

Value: $3,909
Deadline: April 28
Requirements:

• Acceptance letter
• Statement of goals
• Copy of nursing license
• Official transcript
• Verification of tuition costs
• Application form
• Two letters of recommendation

This award is for students who are in good standing as a member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). Students must be pursuing an MSN and have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA as well.

A Nurse I Am Scholarship

Value: This is a $2,000 non renewable scholarship. There may be up to seven recipients for this award.
Deadline: March 31
Requirements:

• Application form
• Essay

This award is for any student who is in nursing school anywhere in the US. The applicant for the award needs to watch the “A Nurse I Am” documentary in either the 32 or 62 minute version. It is recommended that the applicant watch both videos.

WiseGeek Nurse Appreciation Scholarship

Value: This is a $500 one time non renewable scholarship.
Deadline: December 31
Requirements:

• Application form
• Official transcript
• Personal statement

This scholarship is for current or prospective nursing students. This is open to all levels of secondary students. The purpose of this scholarship is to help offset loans and tuition.

Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

Value: This is a $5,000 scholarship. It is non renewable.
Deadline: April 30
Requirements:

• US student
• US citizen or resident
• Full time student
• Non traditional student
• Current undergraduate
• Major in Nursing
• Essay
• Application
• Two letters of recommendation

This is a scholarship designed for students who did not immediately enroll in college after high school. It is a one time scholarship and requires the completion of a 500 word essay in order to qualify.

AfterCollege Business Student Scholarship

Value: $500 one time non renewable
Deadline: June 30
Requirements:

This scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in business. It is a one time non renewable scholarship that has ben awarded since 1999.

Nitro College Graduate Scholarship

Value: $2,000 one time non renewable
Deadline: June 30
Requirements:

This a random drawing for 12 $2,000 scholarships conducted each year. The program is for graduate students only and has no other requirements.

Citizens Bank Graduate Scholarship

Value: $5,000 one time non renewable
Deadline: June 30
Requirements:

There are two $5,000 scholarships awarded annually. These are non renewable and are for graduate students who are currently enrolled in a program.

CastleBranch – GNSA Scholarship

Value: There are four scholarships awarded per year in increments of $2,500 per semester. This scholarship is non renewable.
Deadline: December 30
Requirements:

This scholarship is for students in a graduate nursing program that is an AACN member institution. In order to be eligible the student must have at least a 3.5 GPA. If not a member already winners must join the AACN Graduate Student Nursing Academy (GNSA) and make a post summarizing their essay.

Barbara Rhomberg Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

Value: This is a $5,000 scholarship. It is non renewable.
Deadline: April 30
Requirements:

This is a scholarship designed for students who did not immediately enroll in college after high school. It is a one time scholarship and requires the completion of a 500 word essay in order to qualify.

15 Schools with MSN/MBA Dual Degree Programs

Completing a Master of Science in Nursing and a Master of Business Administration may be your choice. To help you get the process started and with decision making, consider these schools offering a dual degree program.

GradSchools.com offers MSN/MBA Dual Degree Programs in North Carolina