Academic Programs

Graduates of this unique dual-degree program receive a Master of Science degree in Nursing Business & Health Systems and an MBA degree from the School Business Administration concurrently. By emphasizing superior nursing and management skills, the two degrees prepare professional nurses to assume executive positions in a wide range of health care organizations as well as corporations and consulting firms. Integrating knowledge from the disciplines of nursing and business management, the curriculum focuses on health care systems, business issues, and management accountability, with an emphasis on their implications for nursing care delivery. Students work closely with faculty to gain experience in research and are required to complete a formal research project on a selected problem. In addition, an internship in nursing systems gives students the opportunity to develop management expertise by working with leading nurse executives.

The MS/MBA program entails 69 credits of study: 45 credits in the School of Business Administration and 24 in the School of Nursing. While nursing requirements can be fulfilled on a full- or part-time basis, three (3) full-time terms are required in the School of Business. Students are required to complete core courses in both nursing and business. Specialty classes in nursing administration and business complete the program of study. Full-time students typically receive their degree in a minimum of five terms.

Graduation requirements for the MS/MBA degree include the following:

• A minimum of 69 credit hours
• A "B" average in all course work
• Completion of the 33-hour MBA core courses
• 12 elective hours in Business Administration
• 9 credit hours in Nursing Core
• 12 credit hours in Nursing Administration specialty
• A completed research project in a selected area of nursing administration (Nursing Scholarly Project, 2 credit hours) culminating in a satisfactory report.

All degree requirements must be completed within six consecutive years from the first enrollment in graduate school. The Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies Student Handbook contains additional information about degree requirements.