The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits only those programs which pass a strict, peer-reviewed evaluation. While countless on-campus programs have received CCNE accreditation, only a select few of the best online nursing schools have programs which are CCNE-accredited.
This article reviews some of the top CCNE-accredited graduate programs for working and nontraditional students who need the flexibility of online learning.
University of Cincinnati – Online MSN Program
The University of Cincinnati received $99,922,853 of NIH funding through 239 research grants (according to the latest data), which makes it one of the highest NIH funding recipients among universities with online nursing schools. This is significant, as high NIH funding levels often distinguish universities as being strong medical research institutions.
The University of Cincinnati offers a CCNE-accredited online Master of Science in Nursing degree program with the following concentrations available:
- Adult Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Nurse Specialist / Nurse Educator
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse-Midwifery
- Nursing Administration
- Pediatric / Mental Health Nursing
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Online courses are delivered over a web-based platform on an asynchronous schedule, meaning students can log in and learn whenever they choose. The online system provides students with lectures, readings, assignments, discussion forums, chat applications, and access to student support services. Along with the online courses, students must complete an offline practicum, which can be done in a student's home community at a participating facility.
Students interested in applying must:
- Have a current RN license
- Have a BSN degree from an accredited school or a BS degree with a major in nursing
- Provide transcripts from all previously-attended schools
- Have a "C" average or better at previous schools
- Provide three letters of reference
For more information on tuition or admissions requirements, contact the UC College of Nursing at (513) 556-4335.
Drexel University – Online MSN Program
Drexel University received $30,528,162 of NIH funding through 79 research grants (according to the latest data), making it one of the top institutions receiving NIH funding among those with online nursing schools.
Drexel University offers a CCNE-accredited online Master of Science in Nursing degree program with the following concentrations:
- Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Clinical Trials Research
- Nursing Education & Faculty Role
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Innovation and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Nursing Practice
- Nursing Leadership in Health Systems Management
Online courses are asynchronous, meaning students have the flexibility to learn whenever it is most convenient for them. The online platform provides students with lectures, textbook materials, access to discussion forums and live chat applications, and access to research resources.
Students must complete an offline practicum for most of the specialties listed above, some of which have specific geographic limits. (For example, the practicum for the Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty can only be completed in one of the following states: Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, DC, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Maryland.)
In addition, students must have an RN license to apply for an MSN at Drexel University.
For more information on tuition, practicum limitations, and admissions requirements, contact Drexel University at (877) 215-0009.
Walden University – Online MSN Program
Walden University's online nursing school is ranked as one of the top 10 in the United States by Nursing Online Education Database (NOEDb).
The university offers a CCNE-accredited online Master of Science in Nursing degree program, and delivers its online courses using an asynchronous class schedule. The online platform allows students to access lectures, course resources, discussion forums, and student support services in a centralized location. In addition, Walden University's MobileLearn system allows students to access materials from cell phones and mobile devices.
The program also provides students with physical learning aids, such as DVDs, to supplement students' online learning.
For more information on admissions requirements, tuition, and practicum guidelines, contact Walden University at 1-866-492-5336.
Financial Aid for Online Nursing Schools
Online students are eligible to receive federal student loans through the Nursing Student Loan Program. In order to quality, students must be enrolled at least half-time in a participating institution and be able to demonstrate a financial need.
For more information on guidelines and how to apply, see "Nursing Loans and Nursing Loan Repayment."
Benefits of Online MSN Programs
Working nurses and health professionals, interested in the professional advancement a graduate degree can bring, are often unable to attend campus-based programs.
Fortunately, a number of quality, CCNE-accredited online nursing programs are available with asynchronous, highly-flexible schedules.
For more information on additional online nursing programs, see NOEDb's online rankings. For those interested in additional nursing degree options, see also: "The Top Online RN to BSN Programs."
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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