MSN/MPH - Dual Degree (Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health)

The Master of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health (MSN/MPH) joint program resulting in dual degrees offers the bachelors-prepared nurse an opportunity to gain both advanced skills in nursing and public health. By pursuing the MSN along with the MPH, students are prepared to work in leadership roles in healthcare agencies addressing population health matters in various local, national, and global settings. The MSN/MPH joint degree equips graduates with an advanced mastery of nursing theory and practice, with public health knowledge and skills to work in population-based scenarios and an interprofessional team perspective.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be able to:

Demonstrate the successful integration of knowledge to function in the nurse educator role.

Synthesize evidence-based knowledge of social, biological, and environmental determinants to address disease
and health conditions.
Employ appropriate methods of design, analysis, and synthesis to address population-based health problems
in urban, rural, and global environments.
Promote diversity and cultural understanding in public health education, evaluation, research, and practice.
Exhibit effective interprofessional leadership for building partnerships, advocating for public health policy,
planning community interventions, and promoting financial stewardship.
Evaluate curricula for scope and effectiveness in preparing nurses to meet local and global health needs.
Apply a Christian worldview to various nursing education and public health settings.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the MSN/MPH program begins with the submission of required application forms, recommendations, and official transcripts of previous college and university studies.

Criteria for regular admission are:

Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and national nursing programmatic accreditation (CCNE, ACEN, CNEA) -OR- Registered Nurses (RNs) who have a baccalaureate degree in a discipline other than nursing may also apply by meeting the following additional criteria:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in nursing practice.
- Submit a portfolio with evidence of accomplishments in nursing based on The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. There will be a $200 (non-refundable) portfolio review fee.
Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution at which a minimum of 30 credit hours was completed -OR- graduate-level grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited program where at least nine credit hours were completed.

GPA for conditional admission are:

Applicants who do not meet the GPA listed in the criteria for regular admission and have at least a 2.75 undergraduate GPA may be conditionally admitted and allowed to take the first three courses to establish a graduate GPA.

Students who have earned a 3.0 GPA by the completion of the first three credit-bearing courses of the joint degree program, will meet the criteria for regular admission.
An unsatisfactory grade (C- or lower in any GNUR course) while conditionally admitted will result in administrative withdrawal from the program and denial of regular admission.

Students who do not earn a 3.0 GPA by the completion of the first three credit-bearing courses will be denied regular admission.

Proof that all nursing licenses, whether current or inactive, are unencumbered. Potential students with encumbered nursing licenses will not be considered eligible for enrollment with Indiana Wesleyan University’s nursing program.

Three letters of professional reference from faculty members, professional colleagues, work supervisors, or a pastor who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate program. Recommendations from family members are NOT appropriate.
Original transcript from the undergraduate degree-granting institution and institution where graduate courses have been taken.
A criminal history background check will be conducted on all applicants upon admission to the program, at the student’s expense.
Students who do not speak English as their first and primary language must submit satisfactory scores from one of the following prior to admission to the university:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For graduate students, a score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based) is required for regular academic admission.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For undergraduate students, a score of at least 6.0 is required; for graduate students, a score of at least 6.5 is required; for doctoral students, a score of at least 7.0 is required for regular admission.
A video conference interview; applicants to the MSN/MPH joint degree must participate in an interview with program faculty. The conference will provide the opportunity for the student to ask questions regarding the joint degree program expectations.

NOTE: Students in any nursing major may be required to undergo drug testing in order to successfully complete practicum requirements.

Graduate Credit Transfer Policy

Transfer of credit will be considered for graduate work provided the courses meet institutional requirements and are appropriate for the student's planned and approved program. Any culminating project (e.g., capstone, research, thesis, etc.), clinical, or practicum requirement associated with a graduate program must be taken at Indiana Wesleyan University. The credit must be taken at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Individual academic units (MSN & MPH) may establish higher standards/conditions as is appropriate for their respective disciplines or accrediting bodies. A minimum grade of "B" may be considered for transfer. No more than 30% of the graduate degree may be transferred in from another institution. The learning outcomes must align and have been completed within the past seven years. Minimal conditions governing the transfer of earned graduate credits to other course work include:

MSN & MPH will determine the amount of time acceptable of completed work that is eligible for credit transfer.
Only graduate courses in which a student has earned a grade of "B" or better may be considered for transfer credit.
Hours of credit may be transferred, but grades earned in courses taken at another institution do not transfer and are not used in computing the student's graduate GPA at Indiana Wesleyan University.
When a graduate course is taken at another university on a credit/no credit or pass/fail option, hours of "credit" or "pass" are not accepted as transferable unless approved by the School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences.

Credit hours accepted in transfer are recorded as part of the student's official academic record. Once transcripts (and other test scores and academic documents) have been received, IWU is not permitted to release copies of those documents back to the student or any other party. Transfer of credit will be determined by the program officials of the MSN and MPH divisions or designee.

Transcripts from International Institutions

Transcripts from International Institutions may need to be sent to an outside agency for evaluation and determination of transferable credits, degrees, and GPA. If this outside review is necessary, students are responsible for the initiation of this evaluation and for any fees incurred during the process.

Undergraduate and Graduate Credit Crossover Policy

Undergraduate credits from IWU or taken at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or hold appropriate international accreditation, may be used to fulfill requirements of IWU graduate programs under specified conditions. When permitted by the design of the program, undergraduate credits from upper-level courses may be counted toward the requirements of a graduate degree or certificate when the undergraduate course
or courses sufficiently accomplish the learning outcomes of a course in the graduate program. The course(s) must have been completed within the past five years and must reflect current knowledge and best practices. No more than 25% of the total credit requirements for the graduate degree or certificate may be completed through undergraduate credits. Undergraduate courses in which a student has earned a “B” or better may be considered for graduate credit. Dual counting of credits requires approval by the appropriate program leader, in consultation with a graduate level content expert, as well as approval by the University Registrar, and Financial Aid Office if applicable. The program leader will make the final decision as to the applicability of the course to fulfill program learning outcomes. Established limitations on the number of credits that may be transferred into the graduate program remain in effect.

Graduate-level credits from IWU or taken at a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or hold an appropriate international accreditation, may be used to fulfill requirements of IWU undergraduate programs under specified conditions. When permitted by the design of the program, graduate credits may be counted toward the requirements of an undergraduate degree or certificate when the graduate course or courses sufficiently
accomplish the learning outcomes of a course in the undergraduate program. The course(s) must have been completed within the past five years and must reflect current knowledge and best practices. No more than 25% of the total credit requirements for the undergraduate major, minor, or certificate may be completed through graduate credits. Though exceptions may be approved by program directors, graduate courses in which a student has earned a “B” or better may be considered for undergraduate credit. Dual counting of credits requires approval by the appropriate program leader, in consultation with a graduate level content expert, as well as approval by the University Registrar, and Financial Aid Office if applicable. The program leader will make the final decision as to the applicability of the course to fulfill program learning outcomes. Established limitations on the number of credits that may be transferred into the undergraduate program remain in effect.

Program Requirements

All courses must be successfully completed in the sequence prescribed by the program's requirements. Failure to successfully complete a course will result in an administrative withdrawal from the program.
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a minimum grade of “C” in each core (GNUR) course, “B” in each MSN major course, and a minimum of a “B-“ in each MPH course.
Students must meet all practicum courses requirements as they offer students the opportunity to develop and integrate the knowledge and skills necessary for evidence-based advanced practice.
Students must meet all practicum agency requirements. Students may be required to provide health clearance and proof of immunization prior to starting practicum experiences. If required by the facility, the cost for placement is the responsibility of the student.
Students must maintain an RN license that is active and unencumbered at all times during enrollment in the program. Students must have a valid unencumbered RN license in the state(s) of the practicum sites. If students have multiple state licenses, all must be unencumbered. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the School of Nursing if the status of his or her RN license changes. Students will be administratively withdrawn from the program at any point if this status is not maintained.
Any student found to have falsified clinical/practicum hours will be immediately dismissed and not allowed to re-enter any Nursing program or the MPH at IWU.
Students who maintain continuous enrollment in the MSN/MPH joint program, who make normal progress toward the MSN and MPH degrees, and who earn their degrees within the program's maximum time from the date of enrollment may meet the graduation requirements as stated in the catalog under which they enrolled.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, MSN/MPH joint program degree students must have completed the following:

All credits required in the course of studies with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Minimum grade of “C” in each core (GNUR) course, “B” in each MSN major course, and a minimum of a “B-“ in each MPH course.
Satisfactory fulfillment of all practicum requirements, including 235 hours of supervised practicum hours.
Program must be completed within five (5) years.
Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.

Dual Degree (MSN/MPH) - Program of Study

All courses must be completed with a satisfactory grade in order to continue in the program.

Nursing Education Courses

GNUR-501	Evidence Based Communication	3
GNUR-510	Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice	2
GNUR-525	Ethics and Health Policy	3
GNUR-530	Utilization of Research for Evidence Based Practice	3
PYC-614	Advanced Pathophysiology	4
PYC-612	Advanced Pharmacology	4
NRE-662	Advanced Health and Physical Assessment	3
NRE-664	Concepts of Leadership for Nurse Educators	2
NRE-663	Course Design and Development	3
NRE-665	Innovative Teaching Strategies	3

Public Health Courses

MPH-540	Foundations in Public Health Practice	3
MPH-560	Epidemiology in Public Health	3
IPE-545	Biostatistics	3
MPH-510	Social and Behavioral Aspects of Health	3
MPH-570	Environmental Health	3
MPH-520	Global Health	3
MPH-620	Health Systems Administration and Management	3
MPH-650	Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation	3
MPH-645	Healthcare to Diverse Populations	3
MPH-610	Public Health Practicum	3
Total Credit Hours:		60