Nursing, Health Care Informatics & Bioethics Dual Degree, M.S.N./M.S.

Associate Dean: Madler

Degree Type: Dual Degree: Master of Science in Nursing & Master of Science

The University of Mary’s MSN and Health Care Informatics/MS in Bioethics dual degree offers an outstanding opportunity for nurses to earn both degrees in an integrated program that prepares healthcare professionals to address crucial ethical problems in the healthcare setting. The Nursing Informatics and Bioethics Dual Degree program blends nursing and healthcare ethics coursework, while imparting the skills necessary to manage the use of sensitive healthcare information in the areas of technology, data mining, and data analysis.  

This program educates students in the collection, interpretation, and implementation of data relevant to nursing practice and research. It encourages collaboration with various stakeholders in the discourse that helps nurses make morally sound decisions within our Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine traditions, about ethical and responsible use of biomedical advances. 

Program Outcomes:

• Integrate the influence of professional nursing standards, principles of healthcare ethics, and moral courage on the practice of the professional informatics nurse.  

• Develop or implement healthcare policies or practices that respect the dignity of the human person and ensure the integrity, privacy, confidentiality, and security of patient information. 

• Design, implement, and evaluate new or modified informatics solutions, data structures, and decision support mechanisms to support patients, healthcare professionals, and the ethical management of information and technology interactions within the context of healthcare. 

• Apply an ethical decision-making framework to complex ethical issues in computer science, information science, informatics theory, education, and research through the lens of faith and reason in the Classical Philosophical, Catholic Theological, and Catholic Social Tradition.

Admission Requirements:

We welcome students from various backgrounds, including transfer students from regionally accredited colleges and universities and those with military or career and work experience. 

How do I show my previous college, military, or work experience?

• Official transcripts (if applicable) from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 should be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions.
  • Did you graduate from the University of Mary? Then we’ll get your Mary transcript for you!
  • At most other schools, you can request transcripts by going to the National Student Clearinghouse or by contacting the registrar’s office. 
    • Have your transcripts sent to:
      Office of Admissions
      University of Mary
      7500 University Drive
      Bismarck, ND 58504
    • Or request to send electronic transcripts to registrar@umary.edu.

• Nurses with a bachelor of science of bachelor of arts degree in nursing from an accredited institution are eligible to apply to the MSN: Nursing and Health Care Informatics, MSN/MS Bioethics program.

  Requirements listed below must be met before admission to graduate nursing study:

  • Evidence of current, unencumbered RN licensure
  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  • Completed graduate application
  • Official transcripts (including degree granting institution and transcripts of any graduate courses completed)
  • Current resume
  • Two professional references
• Students with previous career or work experience can earn credits for prior learning.
  • You can choose to test for prior learning credits - we convert your test scores into college credit.
  • You can request a portfolio review for prior learning credits. You’ll assemble documentation to show your experience, which will be reviewed and evaluated by an experienced faculty member.
• Military experience can count towards a degree.
  • If you are Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, or a Veteran from the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy, you can request your transcript through Joint Services Transcript.
  • Air Force personnel should contact the CCAF to receive your transcript. 
  • If you already have your CCAF degree, check out our Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative page to see how you can apply your degree to get a bachelor’s degree at the University of Mary.

At the University of Mary, we review every application on an individual basis, ensuring that the materials you submit are evaluated with care and attention.