These days, you can often get a nursing degree partially online. This can save money and, especially when talking about advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice, fit better around your existing work schedule. However, there are a lot of schools offering these programs, and it can be hard to navigate which ones are the best. There are some smaller, for profit schools that appear to be nothing more than degree mills - but even major schools now offer online or hybrid degrees. Which programs are the best? Looking at the Master’s in Nursing to keep things simple, the four best programs are University of South Carolina in Columbia, Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, St. Xavier University in Chicago and Ohio State University in Columbus.
Top Four Online Schools for Nursing Degrees
- University of South Carolina
- Medical University of South Carolina
- St. Xavier University
- Ohio State University
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing offers Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs as well as a Post-Master’s Certificate Program. They are known for their MSN in Nursing Administration. The coursework is delivered online, but some clinical courses require check-offs that are face to face in Columbia. Courses are asynchronous to fit around personal and work schedules. As with most online nursing programs, clinicals can be arranged in your location, possibly even with your current employer. The other courses offered at the Master’s level are Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care and Psychiatric Mental Health.
Highlights
- asynchronous schedules
- nursing administration program
- accredited post-master’s certificate program
Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina is a specialist school located in Charleston. They offer online programs for Master of Science in Nursing and PhD in Nursing Science. They are the only academic health science center in South Carolina and have a very good reputation. Students do need to travel to campus for orientation and for short visits during some classes. The three specialties offered are adult gerontology, pediatric and family nurse practitioner. They also offer nursing education classes as electives. Their policy requires that students graduate within 1.5 years times the length of the program - 3 years for full time students and 4.5 years for part time. They also have a more traditional semester-based system.
Highlights
- traditional semester-based system
- very good reputation
- can take education courses
St. Xavier University
St. Xavier University is a Catholic university located in Chicago - and thus tends towards a Catholic philosophy. It was founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and is a recognized church ministry. They offer Master’s level programs in Clinical Leadership and Executive Leadership - this is a course of study for prospective nurse administrators rather than those wanting to specialize in a particular area. They also offer certificate programs for nurse educators and clinical leaders (post-master’s) and an RN to BSN online. The Master’s programs require a certain amount of work experience and are very definitely aimed at nurses further along in their career.
Highlights
- Catholic
- focuses on administration/leadership
- RN to BSN online offered
Ohio State University
Ohio State is one of the largest schools in the country. They offer online or hybrid options for all of their graduate specialties - and as a larger school, they offer a much longer list, including midwifery, neonatal, nursing science and women’s care. Additionally, they offer the Master of Applied Clinical and Preclinical Research, which is entirely online and is designed to train nurses and others to be part of medical research teams. This course is combined between the colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy and Medicine. This is a good option for nurses who are looking for less common practices. They also take students with an undergraduate major other than nursing.
Highlights
- longer list of specialties
- take students with a major other than nursing
- offer an interdisciplinary degree for clinical researchers
Conclusion
As you can see, the choice of the best nursing school depends on your goals and even your life philosophy, but these four schools have most of the bases covered between them.