Quick Links
The Doctor of Nursing Practice-Master of Business Administration (DNP-MBA) dual degree program equips professionals already holding a master’s degree in nursing with interdisciplinary expertise in nursing, business, and healthcare leadership. At Southern Adventist University, this means building a holistic, Christ-centered philosophy for leadership, management, and research in the healthcare arena. You’ll be positioned to influence healthcare policy and the future direction of the nursing field.
----
The DNP program at Southern Adventist University located at Collegedale, Tennessee is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404)975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the DNP program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

To qualify for the dual-degree program, students must be accepted into both the School of Business and School of Nursing. Typically, students focus on completing classes from one degree at a time, though overlap is acceptable if scheduling allows.
- Nursing classes meet on Tuesdays and are all now available online.
- MBA classes are also available online.
- Full-time and part-time enrollment options can be customized to fit your life.
Any student wishing to complete clinical experiences outside the State of TN must verify that State is a member of NC-SARA and seek permission from that State Board of Nursing. Clinical placements in some States may not be able to be accommodated due to specific State Board of Nursing regulations.

DNP-MBA Dual Degree: Eligibility and Prerequisites
This list includes requirements for both the School of Business and the School of Nursing:
- Master's degree: A master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program
- GPA requirement: A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Course in statistics: An undergraduate or graduate course in statistics (3 credit hours)
- Current licensure: Current RN licensure in the state or country of practice
- Work experience: A minimum of two years (4,000 hours) of current nursing experience
Application Deadlines
All application steps are to be fully completed by the dates listed.
Term
U.S. Residents
International
Fall
July 1
May 1
Winter
November 1
August 1
Summer
April 1 (MBA program only)
February 1 (MBA program only)
How to Apply
Submit an application (with non-refundable fee of $40.)
Submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test taken within the past five years. Applicants meeting either of the following criteria may be admitted without the GMAT score:
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, and minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA degree of 3.25.
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 with five years or more of full-time business-related management experience.
Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States are considered international students and must meet additional requirements for admission.
Online programs
Since international students enrolling in programs offered completely online do not travel to the United States, they are not required to obtain the Form I-20 or F-1 Student Visa, and they do not have to submit the Declaration of Finances.
On-campus programs
International students who will be coming to Southern's campus need some additional information about travel documents and living on campus.

I’ve Been Admitted to the DNP! Next Steps:
Before you enroll, we need acceptable documentation of these items. Email all documents to jlthompson@southern.edu.
- Personal health assessment and physical exam Download Form
- Criminal background check Download Form
- Medical-information disclosure and drug-screen consent Download Form
- Current health information and immunizations Download Form
- CPR/BLS certification from the American Heart Association
- Current Nursing License

I’ve Been Admitted to the MSN/MBA Program! Next Steps:
Before enrolling, we will need acceptable documentation of these items. Upload them through your Application Status Page.
- Personal Health Assessment and Physical Exam Download form
- Criminal background check Download Form
- Medical-information disclosure consent Download Form
- Drug-Screen
- Current health information and immunizations Download Form
- CPR/BLS certification from the American Heart Association
- Current Nursing License
Graduate assistantships
For more information about becoming a graduate assistant, please contact the appropriate graduate enrollment counselor.
- School of Business — Graduate Assistant Verification
- School of Nursing — Clinical Instructor
- School of Nursing — Graduate Teaching Assistant

Nursing Student Spotlight
Don't just take our word for it—hear directly from our nursing students and alumni about their experiences with Southern and how it helped their nursing careers.
Explore Career Paths, Compare Advanced Nursing Degrees, and Hear from Alumni
Check out our blog posts for information on the world of nursing, which career paths you can take with different degrees that Southern offers, and what our alumni found most valuable about their experiences.
Read our blog
What Are the Five Types of Nursing Degrees?
If you’ve ever thought about pursuing a career in nursing, this is a great time to start that journey. Nurses are in great demand and the U.S. Bureautrue
Access the blogRead our blog
Should I Get an MBA? 3 Signs It's Time To Get An MBA
Should you get an MBA? In a way, only you can answer that question. Earning an MBA is a powerful way to take your career to the next level, and comestrue
Access the blogRead our blog
Alternative Careers for Registered Nurses: Finding Renewed Purpose
Over the past few years, perhaps no job has been more challenging than being a nurse. It’s one of the most demanding careers: helping people overcometrue
Access the blogDNP-MBA
Dual Degree
Choose your area of interest.
DNP-MBA Course Guide

Faculty
Request More Information
Want to learn more about the education programs at Southern? Just fill out the form to receive additional program resources and insights.
Jamie Thompson
Graduate Program Manager
jlthompson@southern.edu
423.236.2957