An integrated graduate pathway prepares nurses for advanced clinical practice and public health leadership.
Concordia University Wisconsin is launching an innovative new graduate offering designed to meet today’s most urgent health care needs: an integrated Master of Public Health (MPH) + Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) dual degree.
Structured as a fully integrated pathway, CUW’s MPH + FNP dual degree appears to be the only program of its kind in Wisconsin.
The program brings together advanced clinical training and public health leadership in a single, intentional course of study, preparing nurses to care for individuals while also strengthening the health of entire communities.
“This program is in direct alignment with our mission of helping students serve Christ in the world,” said Jessica Leiberg, dean of the School of Nursing. “Christ Himself educated others how to heal the sick and tend to communities, and we aim to model Christ in all we do.”
Why this dual degree matters now
Health care today extends far beyond the exam room. Nurses are increasingly called to address not only individual diagnoses, but also the broader conditions shaping patient outcomes.
Across the country, health systems and communities are navigating rising chronic disease and aging populations, persistent health disparities and access gaps, growth in home-based and community-centered care, public health emergencies and disaster preparedness, and policy shifts that influence how care is delivered.
In these environments, clinical expertise alone is no longer enough. Nurse leaders must also understand population health data, prevention strategies and the systems that influence care at scale. CUW’s MPH + FNP program was designed with this reality in mind.
“Our dual degree program allows students to bridge the knowledge of two caring disciplines: nursing and public health,” said Sandy Slater, Ph.D., M.S., director of the public health program and professor in the School of Pharmacy. “We developed the MPH program with a special emphasis on servant leadership, which focuses the leader on the needs of others for both individual and collective benefit.”
A powerful combination: Clinical practice and public health leadership
Students in the MPH + FNP dual degree program earn two complementary credentials designed to expand both clinical reach and leadership capacity.
Master of Science in Nursing–Family Nurse Practitioner
The FNP track prepares graduates to provide comprehensive primary care across the lifespan. Coursework and clinical experiences focus on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications and developing treatment plans, delivering preventive and wellness-focused care, coordinating services across clinical and community settings and serving individuals, families and underserved populations.
“This dual FNP-MPH program integrates the best of both disciplines,” Leiberg said. “It prepares graduates for advanced clinical practice across the lifespan while equipping them with the population health expertise needed to shape community planning, policy and evidence-based care delivery.”
Master of Public Health
The MPH component equips students with the tools needed to improve health outcomes beyond individual encounters. Areas of emphasis include epidemiology and population health analysis, health promotion and disease prevention strategies, program planning and evaluation, health policy and leadership and addressing social determinants of health.
“Our dual degree program provides students with advanced educational opportunities that prepare them to respond to the needs of individuals, families and communities,” Slater said. “Students gain applied skills in epidemiology, health policy, communication, informatics, implementation science and program evaluation, equipping them to lead population-level change with integrity, compassion and competence.”
Together, these degrees prepare graduates to serve as advanced clinicians who also think strategically about systems, equity and long-term community well-being.
Career paths shaped by this dual degree
Graduates of the MPH + FNP dual degree are prepared for roles that demand both hands-on clinical care and big-picture leadership.
Primary Care,
Outpatient Settings
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Clinic director or clinical manager
- Quality improvement or care coordination leader
Home Health,
Community-Based Care
- Home-based primary care provider
- Community health program manager
- Chronic disease and transitional care leader
Public Health,
Government, Policy
- County or state public health nursing leader
- Public health program supervisor or officer
- Health policy advisor
- Emergency preparedness and response coordinator
These roles require professionals who can interpret data, design and evaluate programs, navigate policy and remain grounded in patient care. CUW’s dual-degree structure intentionally develops that combination.
What sets CUW apart
While MSN/MPH combinations exist nationally, CUW’s MPH + FNP dual degree stands out through its FNP-focused clinical foundation, its mission-driven approach to public health and its design for working nurses.
Flexible online coursework, integrated clinical experiences and close faculty support allow students to advance their education while balancing professional and personal responsibilities. The program also responds directly to workforce needs as health systems increasingly seek professionals trained in both clinical practice and population health strategy.
Preparing leaders who can see the whole picture
The future of health care depends on leaders who understand both the patient in front of them and the systems shaping outcomes behind the scenes. CUW’s MPH + FNP dual degree prepares nurses to diagnose illness, prevent disease, advocate for equity and strengthen care delivery across communities.
“This program reflects our commitment to preparing nurses who lead with skill, purpose and compassion with care,” Leiberg said.
Ready to lead at the next level?
For nurses seeking to expand their impact from the patient beside them to the population around them, CUW’s MPH + FNP dual degree offers a clear and intentional path forward.
Serve with skill. Lead with vision. Strengthen health one patient and one community at a time.
Want in?
Concordia University Wisconsin is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world. CUW’s MPH and FNP dual degree lets students build advanced clinical skills while gaining public health leadership training, so they can care for individual patients and make a broader impact on the communities they serve.