As the healthcare industry continues to grow, the demand for highly skilled nurse leaders is also growing. Through a new dual degree master’s program at West Virginia University, future nursing leaders will be able to combine their passion for patient care with business management experience to fulfill unique roles in healthcare organizations.

The West Virginia University School of Nursing and College of Business and Economics created an MSN/MBA program that will provide students with the opportunity to obtain both degrees in three years of full-time study (67 total credit hours).

Through a blend of online and on-campus learning opportunities, students enrolled in the MSN/MBA program will take courses which provide them with a strong foundation of advanced business and leadership concepts specific to the nursing administration role.

“There is a growing need not only for nurses to provide patient care, but also those individuals who have business skills and experiences to fulfill key leadership roles in hospitals, government agencies and other organizations. This innovative dual degree program will help us meet the demands of our industry, while providing our graduates with a host of opportunities to serve as leaders in today’s healthcare environment,” said Tara Hulsey, dean of the WVU School of Nursing.

“This fantastic dual degree has been years in the making, and we are happy to see it become a reality,” said Nancy McIntyre, B&E interim dean. “The MSN/MBA opens the door for countless management opportunities that will now be possible for School of Nursing graduates, and that is especially gratifying.”

The MSN/MBA degree program is the seventh dual degree program developed in conjunction with the College of Business and Economics. Other partnerships have included MBA degrees in the colleges of Law, Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Public Health. However, this is the first off-campus dual degree, a hybrid program combining an online learning environment with on-campus residencies.

The first cohort for the new program is anticipated to begin in August. Supplemental scholarships are available for students admitted to the program. For more information about the MSN/MBA program, including application process, visit nursing.hsc.wvu.edu or be.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

tec/05/26/16

CONTACT: Tara Curtis, WVU School of Nursing
304.581.1772, tecurtis@hsc.wvu.edu

Patrick Gregg, College of Business and Economics
304.293.5131, Patrick.Gregg@mail.wvu.edu

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