12 Years and Running: U.S. News & World Report Ranks Clarkson College Online Graduate Nursing Program in Top 100

U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Clarkson College in the top 100 Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs in the nation. The award marks the 12th year in a row that the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program has earned the distinction and speaks to the institution’s continued tradition of excellence.

“We are proud to once again earn this honor from U.S. News & World Report,” says Dr. Layna Himmelberg, Director of Graduate Nursing. “Each year, we strive to build upon a program that brings in committed students to work with dedicated faculty who are enthusiastic about building a health care workforce that will provide the best, most compassionate care to communities.”

The MSN program allows working nurses the opportunity to earn their degree online and choose from flexible part- and full-time options. This allows students the option to build a course schedule that meets the needs of their professional and personal lives. The flexibility, along with the caring and dedicated faculty, is one of the main reasons why alumni choose to come back to Clarkson College to earn their advanced degree. Stacey Poldervaart, MSN, RN, graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2018 and her MSN in 2020. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Healthcare Education and Leadership (Ed.D.) degree with help from the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) that provides students enrolled in the Ed.D. and MSN in Nursing Education options up to 85% loan forgiveness.

“Making the decision to return to school after almost 10 years, and over the age of 45, was not easy,” she says. “The time and financial commitment to further my education and career goals was something to consider as I have a family to care for as well. The NFLP offered through Clarkson College made this decision a bit easier. Being able to continue my education to reach my goals, knowing the financial burden of higher education would be lessened, motivated me to work harder and dream bigger.”

Along with Nursing Education, the Graduate Nursing program offers specialties in Nursing Healthcare Administration, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Students can also enroll in post-MSN certificate options.

The ranking by U.S. News & World Report is driven by data collection through statistical questionnaires sent to institutions offering online master’s degree programs. Programs must be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and offer all required non-clinical coursework through internet-based distance education courses. The rankings recognize the best online graduate nursing programs based on five factors: engagement (30 percent), faculty credentials and training (20 percent), expert opinion (20 percent), services and technology (20 percent), and student excellence (10 percent).

Learn more at ClarksonCollege.edu/Nursing.