Online MSN/MBA Dual Degree Programs – Nursing & Business

Benedictine University offers an online dual master of science in nursing and a master of business administration program (MSN/MBA). The program does not require campus visits. It is important that a student is admitted to both programs in order to pursue the degree. The dual format allows students to complete both degrees in less time as opposed to taking both degrees separately.

In order to apply, students must submit an online application, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended (with proof of bachelor’s degree), letters of recommendation, and a current resume, among other documentation.

The dual program requires only 23 courses for completion. (If students pursued both degrees separately, they would be required to complete 28 courses.) The MSN component of the program includes courses such as health promotion and interprofessional collaboration, healthcare policy and advocacy, advanced knowledge of healthcare systems, and nursing leadership and systems thinking. The MBA courses included in the curriculum are macroeconomics, operations management, financial management, managerial economics, and marketing management.

The program teaches students to read healthcare financial statements, gain a thorough understanding of micro and macroeconomics, concepts in business, and develop models for boosting productivity and performance of an organization.

• Location: Lisle, Illinois
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 36 months
• Estimated Tuition: $650 per credit-hour

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Carey Business School offer an online dual degree program: an MSN in health systems management and an MBA. While all courses are offered online, some MBA courses may have a residency component. The MSN component of the program teaches students to transform good health systems into great ones, while the business component teaches them the hands-on skills to lead an effective organization.

Admission requirements for this dual program include a bachelor of science in nursing from an accredited university, a GPA of at least 3.0, official transcripts, GMAT or GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and an RN license from an authorized state, among others.

The program comprises 65 credit-hours. The dual degree includes a wide range of courses such as the philosophical basis if advanced nursing practice, health systems management, the context of healthcare for advanced nursing practice, statistical analysis, and business law. Through the coursework, students are trained to become effective leaders and use these skills to further their careers. They learn how to manage health systems in this day and age, where technology and data-based decision making is vital.

Needless to say, the program can open up lucrative opportunities for students, both in business and nursing. Graduates can take up leadership roles in hospitals, long term care facilities, and ambulatory care facilities.

• Location: Baltimore, Maryland
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), AACSB
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 36 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,639 per credit-hour

Jacksonville University offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) and master of business administration (MBA) joint degree program. The online program is ideal for nurses who wish to take their career to the executive level.

Admission requirements for the dual degree include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a grade point average of 3.0 or above, a completed online graduate application, GRE score, a current RN license, and a TOEFL score (for international students). GRE scores can be waived for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The program is made up of 48 credit-hours: 30 credit-hours in the Davis College of Business and 18 credit-hours in the Keigwin School of Nursing. The MSN courses include nursing leadership and advanced roles; nursing research and theory; nursing leadership and advanced roles; and organization, delivery, and policy in healthcare. The MBA courses include accounting for managerial control, quantitative methods for decision-making, the economics of high performance, and strategic marketing in a digital economy.

The coursework provides students with an advanced view of nursing and helps them develop skills in healthcare planning and management, critical thinking, and decision-making. Students learn the various principles of nursing and patient care. All in all, the program can serve as a springboard for leadership roles in nursing and management.

• Location: Jacksonville, Florida
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 30 months
• Estimated Tuition: $700 per credit-hour

The University of Mary offers a fully online master of science in nursing and master of business administration (MSN-MBA) dual degree program. The program provides students with a blend of nursing and management skills, required to succeed in administrative roles in healthcare.

Admission to the program requires a completed application, an undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or higher, a current RN license, official transcripts from all institutions attended, and letters of recommendation.

The curriculum consists of 60 credit-hours. Some of the courses included in the dual program are as follows: the design of nursing research, resilient nursing leadership, professional roles in advanced nursing, operations management, managerial accounting, and law in the managerial environment. Students learn how to deal with issues in nursing and healthcare administration, evaluate global healthcare problems, and work with different teams to effect changes in a healthcare system. At the same time, they also learn how to be ethical in all the policies and practices they employ.

Graduates of this dual program can pursue a number of opportunities in both business and nursing.

• Location: Bismarck, North Dakota
• Accreditation: Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 27 months
• Estimated Tuition: $575 per credit-hour

Saint Joseph’s College offers an online master of science in nursing and a master of business administration (MBA) in leadership. ​The dual degree program is ideal for registered nurses who are planning to pursue leadership roles as managers, directors of nursing, chief nursing officers, or hospital administrators.

Admission requirements for this program include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, an unencumbered RN license in the U.S., a cumulative GPA of 3.0, official transcripts, a criminal background check, and TOEFL scores (for international applicants).

The program comprises 60 credit-hours. The coursework includes topics such as nursing informatics, nursing research methods, advanced pharmacology, knowledge-based decision making, self-leadership, and quality leadership. Students learn how to analyze emerging technology, make use of information technology for developing better health systems, improve overall healthcare by collaboration, and identify the barriers to organizational leadership.

Overall, the program can help registered nurses develop into more effective and efficient leaders.

• Location: Standish, Maine
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 36 months
• Estimated Tuition: MSN courses ($624 per credit-hour); MBA courses ($540 per credit-hour)

Kent State University offers an online master of science in nursing and master of business administration dual degree program. The program combines knowledge of nursing with practical management skills, making it ideal for nurses seeking executive roles in healthcare organizations.

In order to get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing program, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, completion of an undergraduate statistics course (with a minimum C grade), an active unrestricted RN license, GMAT or GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (for international students).

The 64-credit-hour program helps students develop leadership skills, along with boosting their knowledge of nursing. The coursework includes instruction in the theoretical basis for nursing practice, leadership in nursing and healthcare management, healthcare organization structure and behavior, health policy and advanced nursing practice, nursing and healthcare management, and the economics of healthcare.

The program helps students become better leaders, while helping them develop problem solving skills and management abilities. Notably, students also get first-hand interactions with healthcare leaders. On completion of the dual program, students can pursue executive positions in health related companies and agencies.

• Location: Kent, Ohio
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Expected Time to Completion: 36 months
• Estimated Tuition: $979 per credit-hour

The University of Texas at Tyler offers an online master of science in nursing and master of business administration dual degree program. It takes 63 credit-hours to complete this combined degree, while the two degrees taken separately would require 73 to 76 hours. Working professionals in nursing are ideal candidates for this dual program.

For admission to the program, applicants are required to apply to the MSN administration program through the School of Nursing and to the MBA program through the College of Business. Admission requirements include a bachelor of science in nursing degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum grade point average of 3.0, letters of recommendation, a current resume, proof of a current license to practice professional nursing, satisfactory GMAT scores, and proof of English proficiency for international students.

The program lays a strong foundation for those looking to pursue doctoral studies or executive positions in healthcare. The curriculum explores topics such as
translational science, healthcare informatics, leadership in healthcare, organizational behavior, advanced financial management, and accounting for management control. Students are trained to demonstrate organizational leadership, manage regulatory issues, and design better healthcare delivery systems. Additionally, they also become proficient in using accounting data to make decisions and take up financial management in a company.

The program serves as a solid preparatory ground for anyone looking to further their career in healthcare administration. Graduates of the program can pursue opportunities in healthcare, as well as research and education.

• Location: Tyler, Texas
• Accreditation: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Expected Time to Completion: 36 to 48 months
• Estimated Tuition: $1,288 per credit-hour

California University of Pennsylvania offers a 100 percent online master’s degree in nursing administration and leadership combined with a master of business administration dual degree program. Students learn how to deal with business issues related to healthcare. The flexibility is the program is a big plus for working professionals.

Applicants to the program must have bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, official transcripts from an accredited BSN program, and an unencumbered RN licensure, among other requirements.

The combined degree comprises 54 credit-hours (as opposed to 66 credit-hours required for both degrees separately). The curriculum has been designed with the expertise of nurse administrators and leaders in healthcare, making it relevant and practical. Some of the courses included are nursing administration and leadership roles, health policy in nursing, theory and research in nursing, international business management, human resource management, and strategic management.

The coursework helps students develop a broad range of skills relevant to medical and healthcare settings. Additionally, they learn how to solve business issues arising in healthcare settings. Nurses who wish to work in an executive capacity in a clinic or hospital or with a government organization can find the program most valuable.

• Location: California, Pennsylvania
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
• Expected Time to Completion: 30 months
• Estimated Tuition: $526 per credit-hour