University of Maryland School of Nursing Ranked Among the Best Online Programs in the Nation

Ranked in the top 5 nationwide in Nursing Administration/Leadership and Nursing Education.

Baltimore, Md. – In U.S. News & World Report’s newly released “2022 Best Online Programs” rankings, the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) online graduate programs ranked among the best in the nation. UMSON ranked No. 5 in the nation in the Nursing Administration/Leadership Programs category and No. 5 in the Nursing Education Programs category, both of which recognize the School’s Health Services Leadership and Management (HSLM) specialty for its multiple focus areas. In both categories, UMSON ranked No. 2 among public schools of nursing. The School also ranked among the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs for Veterans nationwide, at No. 25.

The U.S. News rankings represent the most respected and in-depth evaluation of U.S. graduate programs that are designed to be administered online. UMSON is among the 194 schools ranked, out of 571 surveyed.

“I am incredibly proud of our faculty, staff, and students who have worked very hard to maintain superior rankings for the MSN programs, especially the HSLM specialty,” Bimbola F. Akintade, PhD ’11, MS ’05, MBA, MHA, BSN ’03, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP, associate professor and associate dean for the Master of Science in Nursing program. “This tremendous honor improves our brand as an institution, ensures our continued recruitment of quality applicants, and influences partnerships and collaborations for the School and University.”

UMSON’s fully online Master of Science in Nursing HSLM specialty offers leading-edge courses, personalized mentorship, and individual placements in practicums that support students’ career goals to refine advanced nursing leadership and nursing administration skills. Practicum placements are with leaders at hospitals and health care systems, universities and community colleges, national and state agencies, and more. Following completion of the core courses, students concentrate on one of three focus areas: Leadership and Management, Education, or Business.

The Leadership and Management focus, recognized by the Nursing Administration/Leadership Programs ranking, supports students’ career goals by defining and honing the nursing leadership skills they need to succeed in a variety of health care settings and roles. The Education focus, recognized by the Nursing Education Programs ranking, creates a dual pathway to advancement, as students focus on the knowledge and skills needed to excel as a nurse leader and as a clinical instructor or faculty member. 

In terms of the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs for Veterans, the School has a long history of serving military populations. The first superintendent, Louisa Parsons, was a decorated nursing veteran of the British Army, both before and after her time at the School of Nursing. UMSON has educated nurses who have served in every major military engagement since the Spanish-American War in 1898. Today, 13% of students have served, currently serve, or are a dependent of a military veteran, and 9% of faculty and staff have served or are currently serving in the military. Veterans and active-duty service members benefit substantially from online education that is affordable, accessible, and reputable.

U.S. News’ rankings are based on indicators such as student and faculty engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, student excellence, and expert opinion, using data collected directly from each institution. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions were considered, and the programs that score the highest are those applying educational best practices specific for distance learners.

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.