The University of Arizona College of Nursing was ranked among the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs by U.S News & World Report for 2016.
Among 149 nursing schools nationwide, the UA rose to No. 23, up 13 spots from last year’s ranking. The UA was the only Arizona school recognized in the top 50.
“Through our remarkable online programs, our mission is to strengthen the nursing workforce in Arizona and throughout the United States,” said Joan Shaver, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of the UA College of Nursing. “By conveniently accessing our innovative, online learning environments, students can advance their knowledge, skills and leadership abilities with the expert support of our extraordinary faculty and staff, and have a major impact on health care.”
Advanced degree programs have been offered online through the UA College of Nursing since 2006, and currently include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science in Nursing Clinical Systems Leadership (RN-MSN).
The 2016 rankings were based on five categories:
- Student engagement (30 percent)
- Faculty credentials and training (25 percent)
- Peer reputation (20 percent)
- Student services and technology (15 percent)
- Admissions selectivity (10 percent)
More than 70 students in the PhD program are immersed in focal areas of science that reflect the UA College of Nursing areas of research excellence: biobehavioral neuroscience, health disparities and illness self-management, and population health and wellness (health promotion, systems and informatics).
Nearly 400 working registered nurses are seeking advancement as clinical systems leaders in the one-of-a-kind RN-MSN program.
