MPH/MBA dual degree opens new opportunities in healthcare

To prepare tomorrow’s healthcare leaders, Lenoir-Rhyne University will offer a dual degree program allowing students to earn the Master of Public Health (MPH) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA) simultaneously. In response to the rapid and substantial growth of the healthcare industry and the demand for non-clinical positions in administration, management, education, government and private industry, the program begins this fall.

“The dual MPH/MBA degree allows students to save valuable time and financial resources by earning two prestigious degrees simultaneously. By seamlessly integrating business and public health education, this program will ensure that students are well-equipped to address the complex challenges of managing today’s health and human service systems,” said Amy Wood, Ph.D., assistant provost for graduate education and dean of The Graduate School.

Comprising a total of 57 credit hours, the dual degree curriculum contains all the core requirements for both an MPH and an MBA accredited by both the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). In the dual degree model, requirements for the MPH serve as elective credits for the MBA and vice versa. The result is a streamlined program that allows students to earn both degrees over a projected three years — about a year less than the two degrees would require if completed separately — at a significantly lower cost.

 “As workplaces and economies evolve with technology and world events, flexibility and adaptability have become valuable currency in all sectors of business. The dual degree program allows students to earn two very complimentary degrees in a shorter time, opening career opportunities in management as well as mobility between industries,” said Craig Schreiber, Ph.D., professor of management and dean of the School of Business and Economics.

Flexibility and convenience are central features of the program, designed to meet the needs of working professionals who can build a schedule of coursework, field experiences and research opportunities tailored to their goals and interests. Asynchronous online course offerings further expand the ways students can balance academic challenges with their personal and professional obligations. A rolling admissions process allows students to begin their course of study in the fall semester, spring semester or summer session.

Students currently enrolled in either the MPH or MBA program will also have the opportunity to enroll in the dual degree until they reach the midpoint of earning their current degree.

“We developed this program to meet the needs of the community and the health of the community,” shared Michael McGee, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences. “Public health professionals working in settings ranging from hospitals to government offices can pursue the degree and build the knowledge, skills and perspectives to prepare for leadership and advancement within their organizations. The multidisciplinary approach and versatility of the degree also create an avenue for professionals interested in moving into the public health sector, which is a dynamic and exciting place to be.”