This report discusses the role of graduate nurses in public health leadership and the development of new models of graduate education to prepare nurses for public health leadership. It reviews the need for graduate nurses in public health leadership positions, the health needs of the population, the role of public health in a changing health care system, and the need for nurses to have skills in public health. The report then examines the current status of graduate education to prepare nurses for public health leadership roles. Three degree models for graduate education developed at the University of Minnesota are then reviewed: (1) a master of science in nursing with an emphasis in public health nursing and a focus in essential public health sciences; (2) a dual master's degree in public health nursing and public health administration, maternal and child health, epidemiology, environmental/occupational health, community health education, or public health nutrition; and (3) a master's degree with emphasis in public health nursing and a focus in public health and related fields. Two appendixes provide course descriptions and a literature review. (Contains 55 references.) (MDM)