MPH-MSN Dual Public Health Degree

The Masters of Public Health-Masters of Science in Nursing (MPH-MSN) dual degree is designed for nurses who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in public health, as well as their clinical expertise. This degree may also appeal to Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) who have an interest in community health systems, health care reform legislation, health care policy, population health management, disease prevention, and health promotion, along with community-based participatory research. 

With this dual degree, MPH-MSN students acquire complementary skills, knowledge, and perspective of both disciplines. Students will become equipped with advanced mastery of nursing theory and practice, and learn how to meet the health needs of diverse populations through community assessment, program planning, and policy development. Those in this dual degree program will also learn to work with and guide teams in the development of innovative, evidence-based, and culturally appropriate health care services for identified high-risk populations locally and globally. These skills will be developed through courses that touch on: epidemiology, health promotion, illness prevention, biostatistics, clinical care of marginalized populations (e.g. women and girls, LGBTQ, indigenous populations, sex workers), health systems, humanitarian health, environmental health, program development and implementation, management and leadership, and program evaluation, among others.

The MPH-MSN dual degree should provide students with the necessary skill to pursue professional careers in both nursing and public health, and for leadership roles in community healthcare settings, local, state, and federal agencies, academic institutions, faith-based initiatives, and non-profit organizations in the United States and internationally. 

Common career opportunities for those who received their MPH-MSN dual degree include:

  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Adult, Pediatric, and Subspecialty nurse practitioners
  • Community Health/Public Health Nurse
  • Community Health Directors
  • Clinical Nurse Research

Completion of the MSN component of the MS/MPH program will lead to eligibility for state licensure and/or national certification, depending on the program.

Information updated as of April 2020