Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health Dual Degree Option

The 🌐 icon appears in the title of traditional courses that are also available as a set of module courses.  

Description and Outcomes 

The Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health Dual Degree Option is designed to build on previous nursing education and clinical experiences to prepare you to pursue advanced practice opportunities in a variety of settings. This degree combines the traditional Master of Science in Nursing with a Master of Public Health, preparing nurses for leadership positions in hospital administration, particularly as a liaison with government entities (i.e., health departments at the local, state, and national level). The overall purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health Dual Degree Option is to provide graduate education for advanced nursing roles that respond to the needs of individuals, families, and communities in both local and global settings.

Concentration

You will complete the executive leader concentration, which includes a clinical experience. The program's curriculum could help you prepare to sit for the Nurse Executive or the Nurse Executive, Advanced, certification examinations (depending on the level of leadership within your organization) provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Program Length

The Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health Dual Degree Option consists of a minimum of 82 quarter credits. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded the Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Public Health degrees. 

Program Outcomes 

Master of Science In Nursing Program Outcomes 

  1. Synthesize theory and research-based knowledge that reflects the distinct and shared perspectives of nursing and other disciplines to form a foundation for clinical judgment and nursing practice.
  2. Develop holistic, culturally competent, and compassionate person-centered care through the planning and management of evidence-based practice for individuals, families, and populations. 
  3. Design partnerships that create equitable health policy and determine the socioeconomic impact of population health management. 
  4. Integrate evidence from current and relevant scholarly research that contributes to optimal, ethical, and equitable care delivery. 
  5. Create a culture of safety that incorporates evidence-based practice principles in quality care delivery for patients by the health care team while in the clinical setting. 
  6. Apply principles of effective team leadership to foster interprofessional collaboration and communication that reflect shared values among health care partners. 
  7. Differentiate levels of clinical judgment within complex health care systems to coordinate cost-effective resources to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations. 
  8. Analyze information and communication technologies to deliver effective care and improve outcomes for patients, communities, and populations in accordance with ethical, legal, professional, and regulatory standards. 
  9. Show professionalism through the delivery of diverse, equitable, and inclusive nursing care while maintaining accountability to all legal, societal, and professional norms that are reflected within the professional codes of nursing. 
  10. Formulate leadership practices that promote a commitment to fostering personal well-being, resiliency, flexibility, and professional maturity while supporting the nursing profession.

Master of Public Health Outcomes

  1. Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills: Analyze the impact of the social determinants of health on population-level outcomes. 
  2. Research and Analysis: Appraise current and relevant health issues and policies. 
  3. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Incorporate an evidence-based approach that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. 
  4. Professionalism and Ethics: Leverage ethical principles, epidemiological concepts, and socio-behavioral frameworks to make recommendations for public health practice. 
  5. Leadership and Teamwork: Apply leadership and management principles to address a relevant issue. 
  6. Communications: Demonstrate professional competence in communicating effectively with diverse target groups.

Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the professional competencies associated with your academic program in the Professional Competencies section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the following admissions requirements in addition to Purdue Global's general requirements and the general requirements of the School of Nursing.

If applying for admission, you must submit the following:

  1. A transcript indicating receipt of a bachelor's degree with an upper-level major in nursing and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited institution. Refer to the Admissions Requirements for more information on prior degree submission. If you have not completed a statistics course and a nursing research course with a grade of “C” or better as part of your bachelor's degree in nursing, you must complete them before enrollment in NU504 🌐 Scientific and Analytic Approaches to Advanced Evidence-Based Practice. If you choose to take the required statistics course at the University, you will have all course-level prerequisites waived.
  2. An approved criminal background check.
  3. A current, professional resume that details employment history including responsibilities and dates of employment.

Progression Requirements

  1. You may not use credit for prior learning to fulfill any courses in the executive leader concentration, unless you have approval from the Dean of the School of Nursing.
  2. This program requires you to complete traditional and module courses. See Course Types for more information. 

Clinical Experiences

As part of the requirements for the executive leader concentration, you will complete a clinical experience designed to provide the opportunity for application of theoretical knowledge while working with a mentor. 

Refer to the School of Nursing’s Progression Requirements section for additional requirements for clinical experiences.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

Upon completion of the executive leader concentration and meeting the requirements of the certifying organization, you may be eligible to sit for the Nurse Executive or the Nurse Executive, Advanced, certification examination through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice certification exam through the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.