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Master of Science in Nursing Ranked 24th Nationally by U.S. News and World Report

NursingFerris State University ranked 24th, nationally, on the U.S. News and World Report list of “Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs.”

The rankings were released this week. Ferris’ Master of Science in Nursing was rated 24th– tied with Drexel University, based in Philadelphia; Johns Hopkins University, of Baltimore, Md.; Old Dominion University, of Norfolk, Va.; the University of Central Florida, in Orlando; the University of Kansas, in Lawrence; and the University of Michigan-Flint. Ferris and UM-Flint were the top-ranked online nursing schools in the state of Michigan. Primary factors considered in the newly-released 2014 U.S. News and World Report rankings include: faculty credentials, graduation rates, as well as student services and technologies.

“The continued ranking of our MSN online program confirms the great work that has been done by our faculty, staff and academic advisors,” said Matthew Adeyanju, dean of the College of Health Professions. “We congratulate the School of Nursing and all those involved in our MSN program.”

Historically, Ferris’ nursing programs have provided career mobility options for students in pursuit of a start in the field of nursing in addition to helping nurses who are seeking advanced degrees at the undergraduate level, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and at the graduate level, with the MSN. Ferris is at the top among Michigan-based MSN programs and in the top 25 percent, nationally, as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

“The School of Nursing and the university have placed a clear focus on the categories reflecting the U.S. News and World Report ranking: student engagement, faculty credentials and training, admissions selectivity, and student services and technology. These are all areas where the demand for online education continues to grow rapidly,” said Susan Owens, MSN program coordinator and an assistant professor of Nursing at Ferris. “Peer assessment is a new category in the rankings this year, so this rating affirms that the innovative-and evidence-based practices used in our courses were recognized. We’re pleased to offer a program that demonstrates an outstanding example of effective online program delivery.”

The School of Nursing enrolls approximately 100 students in its MSN program, which features a learner-centered curriculum designed to equip nurses with the knowledge and skills that are vital for a variety of advanced specialty practice roles. The MSN features three concentrations in specialty leadership roles: nursing administration, nursing informatics and nursing education. As a fully online program, the university attracts students and instructors from across the country to create a diverse student population as well as instructional experts in nursing leadership roles. Ferris’ graduate nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

“Through our MSN program, we strive to provide career mobility through flexible programming for the working nurse,” Owens said. “The School of Nursing is especially fortunate to have outstanding support from Ferris’ Technology Assistance Center, where IT experts demonstrate the utmost support for online students and faculty providing amazing and immediate technical assistance.”