The DNP-MBA Joint Degree is a distinctive program that integrates doctoral-level nursing practice with an MBA, preparing graduates for executive leadership in nursing and healthcare. This program is ideal for nurses who aspire to be Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President, or executive positions, and who seek the business acumen to lead at the intersection of clinical excellence and organizational strategy.
At a Glance
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Joint Degree: Earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) through an integrated joint degree pathway, with overlapping credits.
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Fully Online: Offered fully online, with optional in-person experiences.
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Flexible and Fast: For the working professional; complete in as few as 2 years.
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Expert Faculty: Learn from expert faculty in both the Conway School of Nursing and the Busch School of Business.
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Executive Leadership Potential: Prepare for leadership careers in healthcare systems, industry, consulting, entrepreneurship, and academia.
Program Details
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) / Master of Business Administration (MBA) Joint Degree combines advanced nursing leadership preparation with comprehensive business education to prepare graduates for executive leadership roles in healthcare.
As healthcare systems become increasingly complex, organizations need leaders who understand both patient care and organizational performance. The DNP-MBA Joint Degree equips graduates with the skills to improve health outcomes while effectively managing operations, finances, quality initiatives, workforce development, and strategic growth.
Admission Requirements
- Earned a baccalaureate degree and master's degree in nursing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 from programs accredited by the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
- Documented completion of 500+ post-baccalaureate clinical hours. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
- Submission of a Statement of Purpose for seeking a DNP degree from The Catholic University of America.
- Curriculum vitae or resume.
- Copy of unencumbered RN license and advanced practice license, if applicable.
- Two letters of reference (one from a former dean or academic adviser and one from current or former employer).
- Meets the Conway School of Nursing's Health-Related Behavioral Standards for clinical programs.
- All students admitted to the program are required to submit a Graduate Health Form indicating they are able to participate in clinical practice.
Graduate applications are processed through the Office of Graduate Admission. If you have any questions about the admission process, please contact the office at 202-319-5057 or [email protected].
Note: Applicants who are concurrently seeking new preparation and eligibility for certification in an advanced practice population must have the approval of the Specialty Program Coordinator for enrollment in the post-master's certification component of their DNP.
Program Outcomes
1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice
Develop, lead, and disseminate transformational interventions demonstrating expert critical thinking and clinical reasoning, including knowledge from nursing, other disciplines, theology, philosophy, and the other liberal arts and natural and social sciences to make judgments and create innovations in advanced nursing practice/specialty level for the common good.
2. Person-Centered Care
Design, create, implement, and evaluate models of care that support, holistic, individualized, just, compassionate, coordinated, evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and inclusive care that is respectful of the dignity of the human person, promotes human flourishing and is consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
3. Population Health
Develop evidence-based and collaborative strategies that promote health, prevent disease, and manage risks, considering social determinants of health, advocating for the improvement of equitable health outcomes, across the continuum of care and levels of prevention through both traditional and non-traditional partnerships from diverse communities, public health, industry, academia, health care, local government entities, and others.
4. Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline
Generate, synthesize, translate, apply, and disseminate nursing knowledge to improve health and transform health care.
5. Quality and Safety
Addresses clinical quality issues using innovation principles and processes, improvement science and evidence to assure accountability for a culture of patient, provider, and work environment safety through both system effectiveness and individual performance.
6. Interprofessional Partnerships
Leads, implements, and evaluates interprofessional teamwork and collaboration with colleagues, patients, families, and communities that value engagement with the city, nation, Church and world through participatory decision-making related to healthcare needs to innovate, optimize, and improve health outcomes within advanced nursing specialty practice.
7. Systems-Based Practice
Design and evaluate innovative strategies for coordinated cost-effective, proactive, and efficient care within complex healthcare systems based on Catholic values to provide safe, quality, and equitable care to diverse populations.
8. Informatics and Healthcare Technologies
Enhances and advances information and communication technologies and informatics processes to provide care respecting the dignity of the human person and to guide clinical decision making to improve outcomes in the delivery of safe, high-quality and efficient healthcare services that align with best practices and professional and regulatory requirements.
9. Professionalism
Cultivate professional development in others grounded in Catholic social teaching, inclusive of honesty, integrity, accountability, a collaborative disposition, and ethical behavior reflective of the Catholic identity and nursing’s unique characteristics and values.
10. Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development
Influence change guided by leadership principles and theories, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong personal resilience and whole person well-being, intellectual curiosity, and professional growth and development.
Curriculum
Students complete advanced doctoral-level nursing coursework alongside graduate business coursework in leadership, finance, accounting, strategy, innovation, and organizational management. The integrated curriculum allows students to pursue both degrees through a coordinated program of study that intentionally bridges healthcare and business disciplines.
FAQs
What is the DNP-MBA Joint Degree?
The DNP-MBA Joint Degree combines advanced nursing leadership education with business and management training. Students earn both a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), preparing them to lead healthcare organizations, improve patient outcomes, and drive innovation across healthcare systems.
Who should apply to the DNP-MBA Joint Degree?
This program is ideal for advanced practice nurses, nurse leaders, healthcare administrators, educators, and professionals seeking executive leadership roles in healthcare. It is especially valuable for those interested in healthcare operations, strategy, finance, innovation, entrepreneurship, or executive leadership.
Is this program only for nurse practitioners?
No. The DNP-MBA Joint Degree is designed for nurses seeking advanced leadership preparation. Students may come from a variety of nursing backgrounds and career goals.
Do I need prior business experience?
No. The MBA curriculum is designed for professionals from a variety of backgrounds. Students gain foundational and advanced business knowledge while applying concepts directly to healthcare leadership challenges.
Is the program online?
Yes, the program is online and built for the working professional.
Can I work while enrolled?
Yes. The program is designed with working professionals in mind. Many students continue full-time or part-time employment while completing coursework.
How is the joint degree different from earning the degrees separately?
The joint degree offers an integrated curriculum that allows students to pursue both degrees through a coordinated program of study. Students benefit from coursework that intentionally connects nursing leadership and business concepts while reducing duplication and streamlining degree completion. 12 overlapping credits count towards both degrees, saving the student time and money.
Why pursue a DNP and MBA together?
Healthcare leaders increasingly need expertise in both clinical practice and business strategy. The DNP-MBA Joint Degree provides a comprehensive understanding of patient care, organizational leadership, finance, operations, and strategic decision-making, positioning graduates for senior leadership roles. This rare opportunity truly makes the graduate stand out as a healthcare leader.
Why study at Catholic University?
Students benefit from the combined strengths of the Conway School of Nursing and the Busch School of Business, gaining access to nationally recognized faculty, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and the unique healthcare, policy, and leadership resources available in Washington, DC.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?
Graduates may pursue roles such as:
- Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
- Vice President of Patient Care Services
- Director of Clinical Operations
- Healthcare Administrator
- Healthcare Consultant
- Healthcare Entrepreneur
- Academic Healthcare Leader
- Healthcare Innovation Executive
Are scholarships or financial aid available?
Qualified students may be eligible for scholarships, employer tuition assistance, federal financial aid, and other funding opportunities. Admissions advisors can provide guidance regarding available resources.
How do I learn more or apply?
Prospective students can request information, attend an information session, connect with faculty, or begin an application through the Conway School of Nursing website.
Additional Info
Essential details to support your success and to help you plan and progress with confidence.
Scholarly Project
An integral requirement of the Catholic University Conway School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
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Admission
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Get in Touch
Contact our Graduate Admission office at [email protected] or 202-319-5057, if you have additional questions and need more information about the program.
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