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Lead healthcare from the bedside to the boardroom 

Nurses who lead effectively bridge patient care, strategy, and organizational impact. Learn to lead nursing teams with the DNP/MBA dual degree program, offered by Carey Business School and the School of Nursing–the No. 1 ranked school for nursing by U.S. News & World Report.

Designed to develop your clinical expertise, leadership training, and business intelligence, you’ll graduate ready to lead at the highest levels of healthcare organizations, from clinical operations to C-suite leadership. Offered in online and hybrid formats, the program allows nurses to pursue leadership roles without stepping away from their professional careers.

Details

Benefits & Highlights

  • Gain both a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the School of Nursing and an MBA from Carey — clinical leadership and business strategy.
  • Lead at the intersection of advanced nursing practice and business strategy.
  • Complete your degree at full-time or part-time pace, allowing working professionals to continue clinical roles while pursuing the degree.
  • The Johns Hopkins MBA program is 54 credits, 18 of which may be applied from the DNP program.

Who Should Apply

Nursing leaders who want to pair advanced clinical expertise with business skills

Connect with a Recruiter

The admissions teams at Carey and the School of Nursing are here to help you with the applications process, curriculum options, pacing, and how this dual degree can increase your influence and career outcomes.

Book Appointment
Jennifer Lampton portrait

Jennifer Lampton

Assistant Director of Admissions

[email protected]

Career resources are embedded into the Flexible MBA curriculum and program experience. The Career & Life Design team works closely with our Flexible MBA students to help you plan for and secure a post-graduation career.

See the impact Carey can have on your career. Our Flexible MBA graduates are working at some of the top organizations around the world, stepping into roles with competitive salaries, meaningful responsibilities, and strong career trajectories. 

Healthcare leadership demand is growing

With healthcare organizations facing increasing complexity, the need for leaders with both clinical and business expertise is accelerating. The DNP/MBA prepares nurses to step into roles that shape policy, improve systems, and drive organizational performance.

#
1

in the nation

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is No. 1 in the nation for its Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP)

20
%

higher salaries

Nurse executives with doctoral and business training report 20–40% higher salaries. (industry surveys, 2024)

69
%

view DNP/MBA skills as critical

69% of health systems say business-trained nurse leaders are critical to future strategy. (Deloitte, 2025)

Student giving a presentation

Admissions

To apply to the DNP/MBA program, complete the application on the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing application portal. You will select the dual degree option.

We know your MBA is a big financial commitment. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships to support your journey. Carey Business School’s scholarships recognize the achievement and promise of our prospective MBA students. Our scholarships support our commitment to diversity and inclusion by amplifying the presence of diverse voices and opinions in the classroom.  

  • Completed online application
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Résumé  or CV
  • 1 essay
  • 1 letter of recommendation
  • Official transcripts
  • Optional GMAT/GRE score 
  • Application fee   

Applications can be submitted through the Johns Hopkins University-wide platform. Select Johns Hopkins School of Nursing as your preferred school and the upcoming term you are applying to, then upload all required materials. As soon as our team has received your completed application, we will review your file and follow up with you on next steps. 

Application Deadlines

Academic ProgramStart TermEarly Decision DeadlineEarly Decision ReleasePriority Decision DeadlinePriority Decision Release
DNP Post-Master’s TrackSummerNovember 1stDecemberJanuary 15thFebruary
DNP Post-Master’s Track/MBA Dual DegreeSummerNovember 1stDecemberJanuary 15thFebruary
DNP Post-Master’s Track/Master of Public Health (MPH) Dual DegreeSummerNovember 1stDecemberJanuary 15thFebruary

CURRICULUM

The DNP/MBA curriculum positions graduates to be exceptional at patient care and safety while also giving them the tools to lead and manage change in a dynamic industry.

foundations

Prepare for influential roles across pharmacy, health systems, pharma, and public health.

MBA required courses:

  • Accounting and Financial Reporting
  • Business Analytics
  • Business Communication
  • Business Microeconomics
  • Corporate Finance Leadership and Organizational Behavior
  • Marketing Management
  • Negotiation
  • Operations Management
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Strategic Management

Customize your experience

Whether your path is democracy studies, political communications, security, digital marketing, or AI for business, you’ll be able to tailor your courses to match your career goals. 

Customize your degree with specializations in both programs

Carey’s Flexible MBA offers eight in-demand specializations: AI for Business, Business Analytics and Risk Management, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Health Care Management, Leadership, Marketing, and Real Estate.

Beyond the Classroom

Lead change through practice projects

Integrate clinical and business tools in real-world contexts

Participate in hands-on projects that allow you to address pressing healthcare challenges with evidence-based solutions, supported by nursing and business faculty 

The Johns Hopkins advantage

Two schools, one powerful network

Dual degree students benefit from the combined resources, faculty, and networks across both Carey and the School of Nursing, gaining access to an unparalleled alumni network and thought leadership in both fields. 

Connect with a Carey ambassador