Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
12/15/2016	Morgan State University Proposal	RN to B.S.N. to MPH	RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Master of Public Health	2/13/2017	Approved	4/6/2017
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Master of Public Health Program Description
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Master of Public Health (RN to BSN to MPH) will meet the need for more advanced prepared nurses and expansion of role and responsibilities for nurse leadership in public health.   Students in the accelerated program will be able to receive equivalent credit for nursing courses they have already taken at the Associate Degree/Diploma level.  A total of 60 credit hours are required for general education and pre-nursing required courses, up to 32 nursing credits can be awarded from the Associate’s degree and an additional 28 credits in nursing courses are needed to complete the BSN requirements.  Upon completion of the BSN, 42 additional credits are required to achieve the MPH.  The program has been designed to allow students to either stop once achieving the BSN or continue on to the accelerated MPH program.  Graduates of the BSN program will be able to apply the nursing process to assist the client to promote, restore and maintain an optimal-level of wellness by providing holistic care; function effectively in the role of  provider and manager of nursing care, demonstrating leadership in the health care team; appropriately use technology to deliver safe, effective nursing care; and to be accountable for ethical nursing practice to meet the health care needs of the community and populations served.  Those who progress to the MPH program will be able to monitor the health status of community members to identify health problems; diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community; inform, educate and empower people about health issues; mobilize community partnerships to identify and solve health problems; link people to needed personal health services; and assure a competent public health and personal health care workforce.