Who is eligible for the DNP/MPH program?

You may attend any accredited DNP program at any University and complete the MPH at the UMN School of Public Health. We will work with you and your DNP curriculum to find up to 14 nursing credits that are appropriate for the MPH and that can transfer to the MPH.

Does the program require the GRE?

No. SPH does not require the GRE for its master’s and doctoral degree programs. Learn more about our decision regarding the GRE. All applicants must be applying to or currently admitted to a DNP program.

What makes it a dual program?

With approval, you may apply up to 14 credits of nursing courses toward the MPH and with approval from your DNP program, transfer public health credits toward the DNP. This allows you to reduce the length of the programs, saving you time and money.

Can I complete the DNP at any school?

Yes, you may attend any accredited DNP program anywhere and complete the MPH at the UMN School of Public Health. The SPH can transfer up to 14 credits from the DNP school to the MPH with approval, which will save you time and tuition dollars.

Can my DNP scholarly paper count for the MPH?

If you decide on a DNP project topic that is public health related, the project may also meet the curriculum and competencies requirements of the MPH integrated learning experience. To do this, you will need to complete the integrated learning proposal form and receive approval from your SPH adviser.

Can my DNP clinical hours count for the MPH?

When the DNP clinical experience pertains to both nursing and public health, it may also meet the curriculum and competencies of the MPH program. The School of Public Health requires up to 160 hours of applied practice experience and has an electronic applied practice experience agreement that must be completed by you and approved by your SPH adviser.

When should I apply to the DNP/MPH dual degree program?

Applicants will often apply first to the nursing program and then apply to the School of Public Health.

If the SPH receives your application before nursing does, the Admission Committee will review your application and may admit you PENDING your acceptance to a nursing program.

Once you have received your letter of acceptance from the DNP program, send the SPH a copy and then your status will change from pending to admitted to the DNP/MPH dual degree program.

This would give you the option to register for public health courses the summer before starting the nursing program in the fall, giving you a head start on the MPH.

How many credits is the MPH?

The MPH is 42 credits. If you transfer up to 14 credits from your DNP, then you will complete 28 credits as a public health student for a total of 42 credits. Some DNP programs will transfer public health credits to the DNP program, depending on your nursing track. You would need to seek approval from your DNP program.

Is financial aid available?
DNP/MPH students are eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please be sure to enter the UMN school code (003969) to ensure your information is received.

There are some scholarships for nurses at the School of Public Health. Ideas about how to finance your education can be found on our website.

Which DNP tracks are represented in the DNP/MPH dual degree program?

There is not a trend. The SPH has FNP, Adult Gero NP, WPCHP, Health Innovation Leadership, Peds NP and Psy Mental NP students in the program.  A wide variety.

It appears that students have a strong interest in public health and want to practice with a perceptive of improving the health of populations and communities, along with individuals.

Are the MPH classes offered online or in-person?

You may take the majority of public health courses online, giving you the flexibility you need.

As a DNP/MPH student you can choose your graduate elective courses based on your career goals and areas of interest in public health.

The majority of DNP/MPH students complete elective courses at the Public Health Institute (PHI), which is a three-week session offered in the last week in May and first weeks in June.

PHI offers on-campus courses on a variety of current topics in a concentrated format. Students may complete 1 to 2.5 cedits per week. PHI provides course content that emphasizes research to practice with opportunity for field trips, case studies and simulations. It provides a perfect setting to network with other professionals (MD, DDS, DVM, PharmD, etc) and explore new areas of interest in public health.

Sample of course titles: Globalization & Health; Applied Critical Thinking in the Workforce; Motivational Interviewing: Strategies to Effect Behavioral Change. Over thirty courses are offered over the three weeks.You may attend one to three weeks dependent upon your time and you can complete up to 1 to 7 credits at the PHI.

Other elective courses are offered online and on campus during the fall and spring terms.

The applied practice and integrated learning experiences can be completed at your location.

How quickly can I complete the MPH?

You may attend the School of Public Health full time and complete the 28 credits in two terms or extend the time to fit your life commitments. Usually first DNP/MPH students complete the DNP program and then complete the MPH in 2 to 3 terms.