The Way Forward for Rowan Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Candidates

Gain business knowledge and acumen to prepare for leadership roles in medical fields, health care professions, and administration in the health economy sector.

While students and alumni of Rowan's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program have several options for expanding their career path opportunities, MSN candidates are recommended to pursue the Business Certificate of Graduate Study (COGS) to MBA Accelerated Pathway, as this provides the most efficient route and most flexible options. MSN candidates can choose to consider their advanced business studies complete with the Business COGS, or, if they prefer, continue on to next steps to pursue the MBA degree.

The Business COGS prepares health care professionals to more effectively:

• Develop a business view of the health care industry
• Establish productive and mutually beneficial working relationships with insurance companies, hospitals, regulatory agencies and other corporate partners
• Assume leadership positions within for-profit and not-for-profit organizations (e.g., executive positions within insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, governmental organizations, professional societies, etc.)
• Manage, motivate, and lead health services teams toward the best possible patient outcomes 
• Become change agents and influencers for process improvement of any healthcare organization
• Understand the medical, economic, regulatory and ethical complexities of the healthcare industry
• Invest time and resources using conceptually-sound business decision-making practices
• Analyze and refine promotion and marketing strategies
• Pursue an accelerated gateway for students to earn an MBA

Business COGS Program Requirements and Schedule Options

• Completion of the Business COGS with at least a 3.5 GPA allows students to be eligible for an expedited admission decision process into the MBA.
• Five (5) required courses for a total of nine (9) credits, all of which are transferable into the 36-credit MBA.
• The program is flexible in scheduling and delivery formats, allowing students to choose courses:
  • On the main campus in Glassboro (Fall and Spring)
  • Online (Fall, Spring, and Summer)
  • Blend: attend classes online and on campus

Streamlined Business COGS Application Process for Rowan MSN Candidates

• Apply to the Business COGS using the Rowan Global Application Form
  • Waived for Rowan MSN candidates: application fee and undergraduate transcripts.
  • Required for Rowan MSN candidates:
    • Current professional resume
  • Once you’ve submitted all required components of your COGS application, please send an email to GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu including your full name, phone number, student ID, and a statement that you would like to be considered for the expedited review process for the Business COGS Health Care Pathway Program for Rowan MSN Candidates.

Accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Following MSN and Business COGS Completion

• Expedited application process: Completion of the Business COGS program with a 3.5+ GPA makes MBA applicants eligible for an expedited admission decision process, including waivers of GMAT, letters of recommendation, and application fee.
• Accelerated MBA Degree completion: Potentially satisfy General MBA requirements with as few as six (6) additional graduate business courses (or 18 credits /s.h.).
• The MBA program requires fourteen (14) graduate business courses (or 36 credits/s.h.).
  • Transfers:
    • All five (5) Business COGS courses earned can satisfy core MBA requirements (9 credits).
    • Three (3) MSN courses can transfer to satisfy nine (9) credits of General MBA elective requirements.
  • Core: Three (3) additional MBA core/required courses (9 credits) are required: FIN 04500 Financial Decision Making, MGT 07550 Operations Analytics, MGT 06629 Managing Organizational Strategy.
  • Concentration: Three (3) additional MBA elective courses (9 credits) required to be awarded a Concentration in Accounting, Finance, Management, MIS, Supply Chain and Logistical Systems, Data Analytics, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Organizational Leadership, Human Resources Management or Sustainable Business.
  • Foundation Work: In order to ensure all students are equipped with key baseline and foundational business knowledge (typically undergraduate level work) for graduate-level coursework in business, Rowan requires all students to satisfy a set of business Foundation requirements​. Please see the Graduate Program Foundation Fact Sheet for more information.

MBA/MSN Curriculum Details

Business COGS Tuition and Fees [3]

Estimated total cost of nine (9) credits in the Business COGS program: $9,855.00

[3] Quoted in 2024–2025 tuition dollars and subject to additional fees, foundation courses, and possible changes in tuition.

COGS and MBA Questions and Support 

Eligibility and advising for Rowan MSN students 

• Carmen McDonald Ph.D., RN, AHN-BC, NEA-BC, NE-BC 
  Senior Lecturer MSN Program at Rowan University 
  mcdonaldc@rowan.edu   |  609-319-8340 (cell)  |  856-256-5180 (office)

Academic program questions for COGS and MBA

• Jennifer Maden, Assistant Dean and Director
  Jason Salvatore, Program Coordinator & Academic Advisor
  Rohrer College of Business Graduate Programs at Rowan University
  GraduateBusinessStudies@rowan.edu  |   856-256-4024

Logistics and mechanics of the application process for MBN, COGS and MBA

• Tendai Vengesa, Admissions Recruiter, Assistant Director of Global Admissions
  vengesa@rowan.edu  |  856-256-5145
• John Coulter, Admissions Specialist, MSN Support 
  coulterj@rowan.edu  |  856-256-5573