Introduction
The MSN/MBA is a dual-degree program offered by the Monte Ahuja College of Business Administration and the School of Nursing. This joint program prepares Registered Nurses for a career in health care management and leadership. Coursework focuses on developing advanced knowledge, competencies, and skills in the care of populations and lays a foundation for the nurse’s growth into a competent business manager. Graduates are prepared to utilize skills in demography, epidemiological assessment and data analysis, research and evaluation, data projections, cost-benefit analysis, and the application of nursing and business theories and ethics in the design, implementation, management, and evaluation of health programs, departments, and facilities. In keeping with the rules and regulations of the Ohio Nurse Practice Act, the program does not prepare nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists; graduates are not eligible to apply for a certificate of authority in the State of Ohio.
Membership & Accreditation
The School of Nursing is a member of the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. The graduate program in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The graduate business programs of the Monte Ahuja College of Business are accredited by AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Admission to the School of Nursing
Applicants to the MSN/MBA program must meet the minimum requirements established by the College of Graduate Studies, the School of Nursing, and the Monte Ahuja College of Business Administration. Requirements for Admission include:
- A baccalaureate degree in nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher*
- Successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate-level statistics course completed in the last five years and with a final grade of B or better
- An active license as a Registered Nurse in the applicant’s U.S. state of residence
- Submission of a Cleveland State University Graduate Admission Application and fee
- Submission of official academic transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
- Submission of a School of Nursing Graduate Programs Application
- Contact information for two professional references whom the admission committee can contact to discuss the applicant’s ability to be successful in graduate study
- Submission of a 3-5 page typed essay explaining why the applicant wants to earn an MSN/MBA; how such a graduate degree fulfills the applicant’s personal and professional goals; and the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies that the applicant hopes to develop during the education process
- Completion of the GMAT or GRE within the last five years
*An applicant who does not meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement may still be considered for admission as a non-degree graduate student. See below for more information.
Applicants are advised to consult with the Monte Ahuja College of Business Administration for additional application instructions and program information.
The application deadline is March 1 for the Fall semester. Applications received after the deadline may be considered on a space-available basis.
Students may pursue the program on a full- or part-time basis. The University mandates a six-year time limit to complete master’s degree requirements.
Non-Degree Status
A total of twelve credits of graduate nursing course work may be taken as a non-degree graduate student after admission to the Graduate College. No nursing course may be taken beyond this limit. Students who wish to progress in nursing course work must apply for admission as a degree-seeking student to the College of Graduate Studies and to the School of Nursing. Students may use this non-degree status as an opportunity to demonstrate satisfactory graduate-level academic performance in order to be considered for degree-seeking status.
In order to take graduate-level nursing course work as a non-degree student:
- The student must apply to the College of Graduate Studies as a non-degree student.
- The student must meet the College of Graduate Studies’ admission requirements for a Non-Degree student.
- The student is not required to complete a School of Nursing Application at this time.
- The student may take NUR courses on a space-available basis only.
- The student may be required to meet SON requirements in order to register for the nursing courses (BSN/RN).
- The student must request permission to register for courses each semester through the School of Nursing Recruiter/Advisor.
- The students may only register for the following Nursing courses:
Program and Health Data
All degree-seeking students are required to have current and complete program and health data on file in the School of Nursing. This includes documentation of licensure as a registered nurse, professional liability insurance, CPR certification, current immunizations, and background checks. This information is required by clinical sites, as well as accrediting agencies.
Program and Health data are due within 60 days of admittance into the Graduate Nursing Program. No 600-level Nursing course may be taken unless all Program and Health Requirements are met. If this requirement is not met, a hold will be placed on the student’s registration for classes until all requirements are met and appropriate documentation has been received by the School of Nursing.
Clinical Practica
Students admitted to the Graduate Nursing Program take 600-level courses which include a clinical component. In the clinical component, students develop competencies enacting the roles of the population health nurse expert with their population of focus in several different care environments. During these learning experiences, graduate students interact with members of their population, health care professionals, interest groups, and others who are involved with their population. These opportunities enable the student to use the Precede-Proceed Model, nursing theory, and other concepts, theories, and frameworks to promote the health of aggregates.
Exit Requirements
There is no thesis requirement for the MSN/MBA program. Graduation is based on the successful completion of the required courses and clinical experiences and completion of a professional evaluation portfolio. Students are expected to plan and implement a clinical project to address the needs of their population of focus NUR 606 - Capstone Practicum in Population Health Care is the capstone course for the program.
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