2011-2012 - 10 Online Masters of Science in Nursing Programs
The Best Colleges has named its 2011 picks for the 10 online Master of Science in Nursing degrees. In an age of increasing online education, including online high schools, getting a Masters Degree over the internet is no longer a far-fetched idea. According to The Best Colleges, the rate of retirement of current nurses means that nursing will continue to be an increasingly high-demand job market for years to come. They also report that nursing programs are the most popular online degrees. Those who want to climb the ranks to management or be allowed to conduct research will need an MSN to pursue these goals, and with modern busy schedules, an internet graduate program is a wonderful way to find balance.
Many programs allow students to complete practicums and clinicals in the region in which they live, with no campus visits required. The schools here require all require a BSN for acceptance into their graduate nursing programs. Listed here are the five; to see the rest check out The Best Colleges.
- The school is Vanderbilt University Online, at $1,051 per credit hour. Vanderbilt is ideal for students who want to pursue leadership positions in healthcare, and can be completed in two years part-time.
- Georgetown University School of Nursing Online has a Family Nurse Practitioner MSN, a Nurse Midwifery/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner MSN, and an online Nursing MSN. Degrees can be earned in less than two years, and at $1,623 per credit hour, Georgetown's MSN program is the most expensive on the list.
- Gonzaga University has an online MSN specialization in Health Systems Leadership and Nurse Educator, and focus on serving underprivileged demographics. Gonzaga does require some visits to its Spokane, Washington campus, and costs $805 per credit hour across the 36 credit hour program.
- Drexel University Online has eight specialty programs, such as Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management. Drexel warns that some travel might be required for its MSN programs, and tuition runs at $765 per credit hour.
All of the best graduate schools listed offer financial assistance to qualified students, with some having tuition reduction available as well. Drexel, Gonzaga, University of Cincinnati, and Sacred Heart University (#7 on The Best Colleges) all in another list of best BSN to MSN programs, for those who have not yet obtained their Bachelors of Science in Nursing.
