Learn the business of caring across the lifespan and care continuum where nurses lead, innovate and transform organizational outcomes. Prepare for executive leadership positions in health care with this dual-degree program that combines advanced nursing practice and executive leadership competencies.

Two Diplomas

Earn two graduate diplomas simultaneously: a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Sam M. Walton College of Business, a top-ranked, accredited business school.

This program is designed for master’s prepared advanced practice nurses with leadership experience who want to take on executive positions, beyond the director level, in healthcare systems and industries. To enter the program, you must hold a master’s degree in nursing and be a licensed advanced practice nurse in one of four areas: certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners.

You Will Learn To

• Solve complex health care issues
• Apply business leadership and management skills to transform your organization
• Provide evidence-based clinical prevention and health services to improve patient outcomes

Applying for Admission

You must apply to and be accepted by both the U of A Graduate School for the D.N.P. and the Walton Graduate School of Business for the Executive M.B.A. to start the dual-degree program in the summer session.

The GRE is waived for the D.N.P. program. A GMAT or GRE score is required for the Executive M.B.A. unless you qualify for a test waiver. Please visit the Master's Program section of the University of Arkansas catalog for more information.

How It Works

A maximum of 12 credit hours of approved Executive M.B.A. core courses can be used as duplicate credit toward the D.N.P. degree, and six hours of approved D.N.P. core courses can be applied toward the Executive M.B.A. degree. The duplicate credit hours in each degree program allow you to complete the two graduate degrees in less time than completing each separately.

In addition to coursework, you must complete a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in nursing to complete the D.N.P., and a maximum of 505 clinical practice hours can be applied from your Master of Science in Nursing degree.