The acceptance and growth of MSN/MBA programs

The value of graduate programs that enable nurses to earn masters degrees in nursing (MSN) and business administration (MBA) through coordinated courses of study has been debated repeatedly. This article describes the subsequent development of the dual degree option (MSN/MBA) within US nursing graduate programs, explores the opportunities and problems reported by programs offering this form of education, and considers the future development of these types of programs. The article is based on a survey of 167 schools of nursing offering graduate programs. The authors describe the challenges to these programs' continued expansion and the role that healthcare reform may have in shaping the education market.