The 15 Best Masters In Nursing Online Programs in 2020

University School of Nursing & Health Studies. At Georgetown University, the nursing program lives by the mission “to improve the health and well-being of all people.” Georgetown offers MSN degrees in several different programs including; Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery/Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nursing Education. Georgetown allows students to receive an MSN without having to relocate and gives access to all of the coursework online from anywhere, anytime, as either a part or full-time student. Students are also able to participate in clinical experiences arranged in partnership with faculty.

The University of South Carolina offers a 100% online MSN degree in Organizational Leadership that is designed to prepare nurses to manage the delivery of nursing and healthcare services across the spectrum of healthcare. The program focuses on facilitative processes for organizational leadership, financing health care, and research methods for nursing. Students learn the conceptual basis for family and community health nursing, organizational and management theories emphasizing budgeting, strategic planning, organizational development, and receive preparation for national certification in nursing administration. 

Western Governors University is a competency-based, student-focused, nonprofit online university. Programs are designed with the students in mind and developed to benefit those who are busy and working. WGU offers MSN degrees (masters of nursing education), leadership and management, and integrated healthcare management. WGU also offers MSN options for those who are RNs and do not have a formal undergraduate degree. The programs let students go to school on their time and is a flexible program. Students choose when and where they complete their coursework. Because WGU is competency-based, once students demonstrate their competency in a subject, they can move onto the next course.

Liberty University was founded in 1985 and is an online Christian school. Liberty offers MSN degrees in nursing education and nursing administration. The programs at Liberty integrate research and scholarship with advanced practices. Students will learn to employ the nursing process to perform; strategic planning, fiscal and resources management, evaluation of outcomes, and make ethical decisions in advanced nursing practices. Most courses are offered in an eight-week format and there are no residency requirements.

Duke University is known as a world-class university. Duke offers many of the courses required for the MSN online, but all students will have required on-campus activities for a few of their courses. Students will be required to come to the Duke School of Nursing at least once every semester for two- to five-day intensives and participate in face-to-face interactions, simulations, and hands-on activities. Duke offers several different focuses in the MSN program: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (Acute or Primary Care), Family Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Acute or Primary Care), Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Students are also able to specialize in cardiology, HIV/AIDS, oncology, orthopedics, veterans healthcare concentration, health informatics, nursing and healthcare leadership, or nursing education. The programs at Duke require students to complete 11 credit hours of clinical core courses as well as a final clinical residency under the mentorship of an experienced clinician.

Kaplan University designed an online MSN for nurses who desire to advance to the next level in their careers and take advantage of opportunities in management and advanced practice positions. The program at Kaplan offers courses in Organizational Theory, Health Care Finance, Health Policy, Human Resources, Information Technology, and Health Care Systems. They also offer faculty and preceptor-guided practicum or clinical experiences in the community and require an evidence-based project. The MSN at Kaplan also offers four different tracks: Executive Leader or Informatics, Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner.

Vanderbilt offers many different options for completing an MSN degree. There are three different learning options; distance, modified block, and online. Distance learning includes periods of time where the student is required on campus, depending on the program. Modified block courses are offered in concentrated blocks of time on campus. Vanderbilt offers students wanting to complete an MSN the option of an MSN in Healthcare Leadership, which can be completed online. In the Healthcare Leadership program, students learn the skills and management knowledge needed to assume leadership positions in healthcare delivery organizations.

John Hopkins University offers a high quality and comprehensive education for those interested in learning more and taking their career to the next level. John Hopkins offers several different tracks in their MSN program: Nurse Practitioner Specialty, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Health Systems Management Specialty, and Public Health Nursing Specialty. Specifically, they offer online clinical nurse specialist programs and health systems management programs.

Loyola University’s School of Nursing was formally established in 1979, in 2010 the MSN program was brought to a completely online format. Students are involved in an interactive online environment with peer-to-peer interactions, discussion boards, and multimedia learning tools. The online MSN program at Loyola prepares students with the skills and knowledge needed in a variety of nursing leadership positions. The program focuses on preparing nurses for positions as Care Coordinators, Case Managers, Nurse Consultants, Nurse Executives, Nurse Managers, Outcomes Managers, and Product Line Managers.

The University of Texas-Tyler is known for high student engagement and is a respected public institution. The online program has been designed around working professionals and is ideal for students that need to fit in their studies around busy schedules. UT Tyler offers five different tracks in the MSN program; Online Nursing Administration, Online Nursing Education, Web-Enhanced Nurse Practitioner, RN-MSN, and MSN-MBA. Through the program, students complete their master’s degree in nursing entirely online and get to interact with faculty through Instant Messenger, Web-based meetings, and other interactive programs. They also gain hands-on experience working with leading healthcare executives.

South University provides students interested in nursing, the knowledge, clinical proficiency, technical skill, and confidence that is required for a position in healthcare. South University also offers many different tracks and specializations within the online MSN program; Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Education, Nurse Administrator, and Nursing Informatics.

Saint Xavier University has been ranked among some of the best online schools for MSNs. SXU offers two different tracks to earn an MSN degree; the Clinical Leadership track or Executive Leadership track. The CL track focuses on giving students the advanced clinical knowledge and leadership tools needed to take a leading role in assessing, improving, implementing, and evaluating patient care. The EL track focuses more on the impact of patient outcomes at an organizational level. Students learn about budgeting, project management, and strategic planning.

Drexel University is dedicated to developing students that are highly competent in technology, evidence-based practice, customization of care, leadership, and outcomes and risk assessment. Drexel offers a wide variety of specialization for MSN students; Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner (Individual Across the Lifespan), Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary/Pediatric Acute Nurse Practitioner Dual Program, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health/Gender Related Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Trials Research, Nurse Education and Faculty Role, Nursing Innovation Concentration, Nursing Leadership and Health Systems Management, and Nurse Anesthesia.