Combined Public Health and Nursing Masters Degrees
Consistent with the University, College, School, and Department missions; The Orvis School of Nursing and the School of Public Health offer a combined MSN/MPH degree program. The program prepares nurses to draw upon advanced knowledge and a variety of skills to define, critically assess, diagnose, collaborate with communities to plan care, and resolve public health problems. The proposed program includes academic and clinical practice preparation for nurse practitioners delivering primary health care in public health settings.
Both degrees when completed separately, are two-year degrees. Students in the combined program can complete the plan of study in less time than it takes to earn each degree separately. Students enroll in courses in Nursing and Public Health each semester to enhance interdisciplinary learning and practice. Students complete the core courses in both the public health and nursing program, however there is some overlap allowed.
Admission requirements to the program include those set by both programs, (i.e. 3.0 GPA or higher in the undergraduate degree program and a satisfactory score on the GRE or other standardized exam). Both programs require course work in the undergraduate program in statistics and research. Both require three letters of reference and the student must meet University of Nevada, Reno's Graduate School admission requirements. For nursing, the student’s undergraduate degree must come from a CCNE or NLN accredited school and applicants must have completed an undergraduate course in health assessment. For the MPH, international students must have a TOEFL score of at least 250 on the new scale and applicants must demonstrate evidence of course work in health-related disciplines and/or professional health-related experience.
Comments from an MSN/MPH alumni:
Marena Works, MSN/MPH, 2006 NPHA Scholarship recipient
“I started off taking one class as a graduate special, thinking I wanted a degree in public health,” Works said. “As I was taking the class, I felt I was missing the nursing component. I heard of the dual program at about the same time and decided it was a better fit for my needs.”
“The balance of attending two different schools actually kept my interest,” Works said. “It is also an exciting challenge to be part of a path-finding group.”
if you have questions about the MPH/MSN program, please contact our Graduate Program Director.