Program Overview
For nurses who hold a BSN from an accredited nursing program, Spring Arbor University offers an MSN/MBA dual-degree program that can take you from bedside to boardroom with the knowledge and skills you need to be an ethical leader in our complex health care system. A 63-credit, three-year program that leads to two separate degrees, the MSN/MBA program prepares students for successful participation in businesses and other organizations competing in domestic and international markets. The online delivery of the MBA program is comprised of 36 credit hours. Students may complete the program within 18 months within a vibrant online learning community.
Choose from five MSN/MBA dual-degree program concentrations.
- Health Care Administration: Learn how to address the complexities and trends in the health care industry by focusing on contemporary issues in health care administration, policy, economics, quality and strategy of health care management.
- Human Resource Development: Learn to effectively lead a human resources department. Topics covered include organizational behaviors, enhancing group and team performance and promoting workplace learning and development.
- Management: Engage your competitive strategy skills in a computer-simulated business environment, as well as examine management and human resource development, the use of statistics for managers and ethical leadership topics.
- Organizational Consulting: Learn to increase your organization’s effectiveness and efficiency and implement effective change initiatives with the strong foundation for understanding, predicting and influencing individual and group behavior you’ll gain in this concentration.
- Strategic Leadership: Broaden your knowledge and skills through strategic leadership, strategic planning and management coursework.
Fill out the form on this page to download a program brochure; or, use our easy online scheduling tool to book an appointment with an admissions advisor now.
Program Delivery
MSN/MBA dual-degree program courses are asynchronous, meaning you can log in and complete your assignments at a time most convenient for you. You complete one seven-week course at a time – allowing you a stress-free learning experience.
In addition to the online community of learners approach, students come together with faculty and fellow nurses in their second year for a 3 day residency on the main campus in Spring Arbor, Michigan. (The 2nd residency is 3- credit hours in their 7th course). The residency is designed to provide personalized learning opportunities that prepare students for successful online interaction and clinical or practicum experiences. The preceptored practicum associated with application level learning takes place in the student’s respective communities.
Careers & Outcomes
As a student of this CCNE-accredited MSN/MBA dual-degree program, you’ll learn the skills it takes to run complex health care institutions. These skills include how to oversee clinical operations, expand services and establish policies and procedures that ensure the best patient care possible.
A popular career for those who hold this degree is chief nursing officer. CNOs are responsible for ensuring that patient-care, clinical and staffing standards are met. Chief nursing officers with an MSN/MBA earn, on average, $111,418 per year and are eligible for additional incentives and bonus pay. Additionally, upon graduation, you will be qualified to teach both nursing and business.
Fill out the form on this page to download a program brochure; or, use our easy online scheduling tool to book an appointment with an admissions advisor now.
Admissions & Tuition Information
Admission Requirements
- BSN degree from a program accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- We also offer an RN-MSN/ED program for nurses who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Learn more about this online RN-MSN/ED program here.
- Research – Nursing related; e.g., NUR452 (SAU course)
- Statistics – 200-level or above
- Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended
- A 3.0 GPA calculated from the most recent 60 academic credits
- An unrestricted, unencumbered, current nursing license from the state of employment; license must be kept current throughout the program
- Two letters of recommendation
- A two-page goal statement that explains your rationale for pursuing a graduate nursing degree
- Completed application
Fill out the form on this page to download a program brochure; or, use our easy online scheduling tool to book an appointment with an admissions advisor now.
Cost & Financial Aid
The MSN/MBA dual-degree program is $665 per credit hour. Financial aid is available for nurses who qualify. Visit our financial aid page for more information.
Program Curriculum
All students in the MSN program complete the core course requirements with students from various practice backgrounds along with integration of the three area concentrations in an interactive learning environment. Core courses are taken sequentially. The Nursing Department reserves the right to change curriculum requirements based on professional or accreditation recommendations.
MSN/MBA Dual-Degree Program Courses
- NUR 510 Moral & Ethical Decision Making (residency) (3)
- NUR 522 Theoretical Perspectives for Advanced Practice (3)
- NUR 532 Organizational & Systems Leadership (3)
- NUR 551 Applied Research Methods (3)
- NUR 612 Advanced Pathophysiology (3)
- NUR 618 Advanced Pharmacology (3)
- NUR 602 Advanced Assessment & Diagnostic Reason (residency) (3)
- NUR 693 Population Health (3)
- NUR 683 Health Policy (3)
- MBA060 MBA Orientation (0)
- MBA617 Leadership in Business (4)
- MBA631 Accounting for Managers (4)
- MBA622 Statistics for Business Managers (4)
- MBA661 Marketing for Managers (4)
- MBA607 International Business (NYC trip) (4) or
- MBA607A International Business (no trip) (4)
- MBA688 MBA Capstone Study (4)
Management track
- MBA654 Strategic Planning & Management (4)
- MBA648 Human Resource Development (4)
- MBA651 Management of Organizational Behavior (4)
Healthcare Administration track
- MBA641 Trends in Health Care Administration & Management (4)
- MBA642 Managerial Finance in Health Care (4)
- MBA643 Managing Quality in Health Care (4)
Human Resource Development track
- MBA647 Workplace Learning and Professional Development (4)
- MBA648 Human Resource Development (4)
- MBA651 Management of Organizational Behavior (4)
Organizational Consulting track
- MBA647 Workplace Learning and Professional Development (4)
- MBA657 Strategic Leadership (4)
- MBA658 Organizational Consulting (4)
Strategic Leadership track
- MBA654 Strategic Planning & Management
- MBA657 Strategic Leadership
- MBA651 Management of Organizational Behavior
MSN/MBA Dual-Degree Program Course Descriptions
NUR 510 Moral & Ethical Decision Making
This course provides a meta-cognitive foundational approach to advanced nursing practice in the contemporary world. It explores worldview presuppositions with an emphasis on a Christian perspective and development of a consistent, conscious understanding of reality.
NUR 522 Theoretical Perspectives for Advanced Practice
This course promotes examination, analysis and synthesis of a variety of conceptual frameworks, models and theories that provide a foundation for research and applied practice in the areas of nursing, business and education. Philosophical ideation, beliefs, scope and assumptions of select theories and models will be explored.
NUR 532 Role Development & Leadership
The focus is on understanding the professional role of the advanced practice nurse. The processes associated with role development, socialization and effective collaboration with diverse interdisciplinary partnerships will be examined.
NUR 551 Applied Research Methods
This course focuses on the significance of research to the development of a profession and the practical application of statistics to evidence-based outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on design, methodology and data collection relative to development of a research-based capstone project or thesis.
NUR 612 Advanced Pathophysiology
This course provides advanced knowledge and clinical application of normal and pathophysiologic mechanisms related to altered health status and disease processes. Diagnosis and treatment skills will be analyzed, interpreted and evaluated for changes in normal function seen during illness/disease and when assessing an individual’s response to treatment.
NUR 618 Advanced Pharmacology
This course will provide the advanced practice nurse with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess, diagnose and manage pharmacologic agents, alternatives to pharmacological interventions and therapeutic modalities. Prescriptive authority, including responsibilities and legalities, will be discussed, including controlled substances and the potential for abuse.
NUR 602 Advanced Assessment & Diagnostic Reason (residency)
This practicum will prepare students with the core knowledge and competencies needed to complete a comprehensive assessment using client data to detect signs and symptoms of pathophysiological changes and psychosocial variation from an individual, family or community perspective. Effective strategies will be developed to address health care issues, including health promotion, communication and client-teaching skills using a holistic approach. The practicum will provide clinical opportunities to further refine and practice the history taking and physical examination skills necessary for competence as an advanced practice nurse.
NUR 693 Population Health
The focus of this course is on integrating the learning from previous courses to design treatment and evaluate outcomes for the most vulnerable groups, particularly the systems of care that manage services for frail elderly, the chronically ill and other similarly compromised patients.
NUR 683 Health Policy
The focus is on the knowledge of professional responsibility to support policy issues associated with humane health care that promotes dignity, respect and justice. Practical skills such as working with the media, product and service evaluation, advocating for the health care needs of vulnerable populations and seeking program grants will be addressed.
MBA060 MBA Orientation (0)
Introduces students to Spring Arbor University and the Gainey School of Business MBA program. Familiarizes students with the Blackboard learning management system that supports learning through electronic access to learning materials from virtually anywhere, connects the learning community and promotes collaboration. Students practice using Blackboard tools, interact with peers, monitor course progress and grades and obtain feedback from an instructor through Blackboard.
MBA617 Leadership in Business (4)
Introduces students to leadership in business administration as a foundation for effective management of the organization. Explores leadership from the perspective of the practicing manager and focuses on individual, group and organizational leadership. Covers the nature of leadership, leading change, leadership effectiveness, leadership development and traditional and emerging leadership theories. Special emphasis is placed upon self-leadership and professional leadership assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses in handling specific managerial issues and responsibilities.
MBA631 Accounting for Managers (4)
Introduces students to the fundamental concepts and principles of accounting as a discipline to support managerial decision making in businesses. Examines the use of information for data-driven decision making, including organizational-level performance measurements. Covers financial ratio calculations and analysis, preparation of financial statements, taxes, accounting liquidity, contribution margin, budgeting and auditing issues.
MBA622 Statistics for Business Managers (4)
Introduces students to data-driven decision making using a statistical thinking framework. Emphasis is placed upon the use of statistical data for identifying, understanding, interpreting and solving business scenarios and issues. Develops skills necessary to identify business problems, collect data following appropriate protocols and methods, and analyze data using statistical techniques.
MBA661 Marketing for Managers (4)
Introduces the principles of service and stewardship through marketing management. Focuses on developing an understanding of the role of markets and marketing from an economic thinking perspective, including an analysis of product markets and developing marketing strategies that will provide sustainable competitive advantage. Special emphasis is placed upon the integration of concepts, principles and techniques of marketing through application within client organizations. Topics include: customer value and satisfaction, market research and surveys, marketing segmentation differentiation, positioning and the development and execution of marketing plans.
MBA607 International Business (including NYC trip) (4)
Introduces key aspects of contemporary international business management and implications of international business on organizational strategy, structure and function. Coverage includes ethics in business, country differences, trade and investments, global monetary systems and competition in a global marketplace. Topics include Poverty Cure, human rights, global human resource development, conference environment papers and group presentations. As a part of the MBA607 course, students attend an International Business Summit as part of a four-day trip to New York City. The university covers the costs of accommodations (i.e., hotel, food) to participate in the summit. Students are responsible for travel arrangements and expenses.
Or
MBA607A International Business (no NYC trip option) (4)
Introduces key aspects of contemporary international business management and implications of international business on organizational strategy, structure and function. Coverage includes ethics in business, country differences, trade and investments, global monetary systems and competition in a global marketplace. Topics include Poverty Cure, human rights, global human resource development, and conference environment individual presentations, peer reviews and critiques.
MBA688 MBA Capstone Study (4)
The MBA capstone experience emphasizes the integration and application of acquired knowledge and skills from the MBA core and concentration curriculum. Focuses on the identification of a group/work unit/team or organizational-level issue, problem or opportunity, as well as the proposed solution to improve organizational performance. Students will conduct an organizational assessment, review the literature, explain the issues using appropriate concepts and theories, create a proposal to address the problem and develop a final business consultancy report and presentation. The student works with a real organization/client, and the client provides an assessment of the student’s performance and contribution to the organization.
MBA641 Trends in Health Care Administration & Management (4)
Addresses contemporary issues in the field of health care and the factors influencing the structure, delivery and financing within health care systems. Examines the roles of various health care institutions and professional groups providing health services. Covers emerging trends that impact health care in the U.S. as well as the leadership challenges associated with health care administration. Special emphasis on making informed decisions related to health care administration and management topics that concern modern health care administrators.
MBA642 Managerial Finance in Health Care (4)
Examines the fundamentals of financial management in the health care sectors. Prepares nonfinancial health care professionals with skills necessary to manage and control costs while simultaneously investing resources in strategic opportunities. Focuses on the use of financial analysis techniques, financial reasoning and financial tools for effective decision making and planning in a health care setting. Special emphasis on financial liquidity, solvency and measuring efficiency of health care organizations using key ratio information.
MBA643 Managing Quality in Health Care (4)
Identifies the principles of quality improvement necessary for creating a quality culture in health care. Examines tools and methods of planning and implementing quality improvement initiatives in health care. Addresses both clinical improvements related to the delivery of quality patient care and process improvements related to the processes necessary in supporting the delivery of quality patient care. Special emphasis on methodology for improving quality in health care organizations, process improvement tools and measurement systems, Six Sigma, lean management techniques and medical informatics.
MBA647 Workplace Learning and Professional Development (4)
Explores the major issues relevant to workplace learning and development. Develop skills in needs analysis, learning and development methods, method selection, development plans and assessment. Covers adult learning theory, knowledge and development. Emphasizes principles of traditional and contemporary approaches to workplace learning and development in organizations. Special emphasis on the practical application of learning development methods and assessments to ascertain factors influencing effective workplace learning strategies.
MBA648 Human Resource Development (4)
Explores major issues related to managing human resources. Develops skills in assessing human resource needs for career development and organizational effectiveness. Covers principles of adult learning through designing practical applications in diverse work settings. Special emphasis on current topics in the field of human resource development, including the assessment, design, implementation and evaluation of HRD programs; personal, professional and organizational development; and application of HRD in diverse contexts. Various types of training programs will be examined, including onboarding, skills and technical, performance management, employee wellness, career management, organization and management development and diversity.
MBA651 Management of Organizational Behavior (4)
Introduction to the management of behavior in organizations, the field of industrial and organizational psychology and various aspects of people in the workplace. Covers issues related to employee development through training and learning, employee productivity, well-being, attitudes, behaviors, motivation and leadership. Explores principles of organizational behavior and management such as how people work, where they work and how the workplace operates. Emphasizes the complexity of organizational functioning and importance of the management of organizational behavior.
MBA654 Strategic Planning & Management (4)
Introduces the concepts of strategic planning and management, and considers the vision, mission and goals of the organization. Provides students with a framework for conducting strategic planning in the organizational environment. Examines the balanced scorecard approach to strategic planning and management for translating strategy to action. Special emphasis is placed upon the cyclical development of pertinent information necessary for strategic planning and management.
MBA657 Strategic Leadership (4)
Examines characteristics and skills that allow leaders to make positive and strategic contributions to their organizations. Focuses on the development of strategic leadership skills including the development of strategic thinking and strategic actions for superior organizational performance. Emphasizes the analysis of leader traits, skills, styles, and characteristics, and their influence on the strategic leadership of organizations.
MBA658 Organizational Consulting (4)
Examination of best consulting practices for internal and external change agents. In-depth exploration and practice on contracting, assessment and diagnosis, data collection, feedback techniques, implementation of planned change initiatives, resistance to change and other psychodynamics in the organization related to change. Emphasizes the collaborative consulting approach and the collaborative consulting cycle as well as change management models and effective change management consulting techniques.
Fill out the form on this page to download a program brochure, or use our easy online scheduling tool to book an appointment with an admissions advisor now.
The Nursing Department reserves the right to change curriculum requirements based on professional or accreditation recommendations.
PLEASE NOTE – PSY 351 Statistics for Behavioral Sciences is also required FOR ALL MSN programs. If the student has not taken a comparable statistics course, this is required to be taken during the MSN program. The student is notified of this upon acceptance into the program.