According to new data released by U. S. News and World Report on May 19, the University of Southern Indiana’s Graduate Nursing Program has been ranked 32nd in the country in the category of Best Online Programs for Veterans. The rankings, now in their third year, identify 737 programs that provide veterans with high-quality, flexible online education options.
The MSN program, offered by USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, strives to prepare nurses at an advanced practice level, who demonstrate professional leadership and foster a research climate in the practice of nursing. “We are pleased to offer a graduate nursing program that provides flexibility as well as a value-based, quality education for our Veterans,†said Dr. Ann White, dean of USI’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
To qualify for the Best Online Programs for Veterans rankings, an online degree program had to report participation in two key programs that offer educational benefits to people with military service. The rankings methodology requires programs to belong to institutions that are certified for the GI Bill; they must also belong to schools participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program or to public institutions that charge in-state tuition for all out-of-state veterans. To be ranked, programs also had to be among the top 75 percent of schools in the overall 2015 Best Online Programs rankings, which were released earlier this year. Those programs were assessed for various factors, including affordability, faculty credentials, student services and reputation.
“The University of Southern Indiana has always prided itself on the programs and relationships that it offers to veterans of all eras, both on and off campus,†said Joel Matherly, manager of USI’s Veteran Support Services. “This ranking is just another testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and our campus as a whole.â€
USI’s MSN degree offers specialty areas for Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nursing Education (NE), Nursing Management and Leadership (NML), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (FPMHNP).
The College of Nursing and Health Professions also offers online courses toward a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with two areas of study concentration: advanced practice and systems and organizational leadership. The practice- focused doctorate prepares experts in advanced nursing with emphasis placed on innovative, evidence-based practice that reflects the application of credible research findings.
Both programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
