Benedictine University Online MSN/MBA Dual Degree Program

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Benedictine University offers an online dual MSN/MBA degree that can be completed in about 46 months.

The MBA core courses provide a foundation in business management and students have weekly learning objectives in areas such as fundamental economics theory, business strategy knowledge, financial skills, project management experience, and analysis, among others.

The online MBA courses were developed through the CEPH-accredited (Council on Education for Public Health) master of public health program and are taught by the same faculty. Students pursuing this degree complete a master of public health survey which highlights strengths and weaknesses to be built upon and improved. In addition, each course finishes with a mini-capstone experience so students can apply learned knowledge and skills to real-world healthcare situations.

The online dual MSN/MBA degree gives nurses the opportunity to earn an MSN with an executive nurse leadership concentration and subsequently complete an MBA degree, learning business administration skills. Completing the dual-degree removes five courses from the requirements of each degree separately so that students can complete both degrees more quickly (23 courses in 46 months).

Benedictine University is located just 30 minutes from downtown Chicago, in Lisle, Illinois. Anyone with a bachelor’s degree may apply; however, those without a business background will likely need to apply for the “foundation track MBA” which adds coursework and time to the degree.

Admission Requirements: Applicants must have a B.S. with a GPA of 2.75 or higher. Materials for the admissions committee include a completed application and fee, a resume, official college transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a letter of intent. There is no GMAT/GRE required. No work experience is required, but it is preferred. International students must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores and have foreign transcripts evaluated by ECE, WES, or Educational Perspectives.

Study Plan: The courses for the dual MSN/MBA degree are offered in eight-week intervals and students may begin in the fall, spring, or summer sessions. Students take 36 credits for the MSN portion and 42 credits for the MBA portion. The degree can be completed in 46 months.

Dual MSN/MBA Curriculum: The dual MSN/MBA degree comprises 78 credits: 36 for the MSN degree and 42 for the MBA portion. Students follow the nurse executive leader track for the MSN degree and then move on to the MBA portion.

MSN foundation courses include health promotion and interprofessional collaboration, ethical and culturally competent health care professionals, evidence-based nursing practice: research and process improvement, healthcare informatics and emergent technologies, healthcare policy and advocacy, and quality improvement and safety in healthcare systems.

Courses for the MSN executive nurse leader concentration include building effective communication and relationships, professionalism and executive career development, advanced knowledge of healthcare systems, nursing leadership and systems thinking, financial management and resource allocation in healthcare, and an evidence-based nursing practice capstone project.

Students then take four MBA foundation courses, which can include financial accounting, economics, international business, and analytical tools for management decisions.

Finally, students take managerial economics, operations management, financial management, marketing management, strategic management, project management, and team building.

Online Experience: Dual MSN/MBA courses are delivered asynchronously through the Engage Learning Management System (LMS). Benedictine follows the best practices of the Community of Inquiry (Col) framework to provide an interactive, collaborative learning environment for online students. As such, the online learning environment offers a plethora of opportunities for collaboration and interaction through live chats, coffee chats, virtual webinars, online discussion boards, and online student groups. Benedictine faculty make themselves available through weekly office hours, student feedback, and participation in online activities.

On-Site Requirements: There are no onsite requirements for the dual MSN/MBA as the programs are 100 percent online. Online MSN students complete a practicum near where they live and work. Students are welcome to visit campus and participate in campus graduation.

Benedictine University charges $800 per quarter-credit, as tuition is charged at the program with the higher cost, for a total tuition of $62,400 plus fees. Students should contact the admissions department for the program’s current costs as tuition is subject to change.

Students may apply for federal graduate student loans through the FAFSA, as well as seek outside resources for help paying for their dual MSN/MBA degrees. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement programs so working professionals should check with their companies. There are also two scholarships offered by Benedictine University to graduate MBA students. The Graduate Merit Scholarship covers the student’s final graduate course of the program. To qualify for this scholarship, students must have a 3.75 or higher graduate GPA and complete the degree within three years. The other is the Alumni Scholarship which offers $1,000 toward a student’s first graduate course for returning Benedictine students. Students can find out more about financial aid through the Benedictine University Office of Financial Aid.