USC online graduate nursing program ranked No. 1 in nation

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The University of South Carolina’s online graduate nursing program is ranked top in the nation among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. The same report ranks the USC program second overall.

The rankings also list the College of Nursing top among public institutions for its online graduate program for veterans, according to a news release from the university. 

U.S. News and World Report bases its rankings on student-faculty engagement, faculty credentials and training, students services and technologies, student achievement and the opinions of high-ranking nursing academic officials. The College of Nursing is No. 4 among public institutions in a new specialty ranking for its online graduate nurse practitioner-family nursing program.

For the past five years, the university College of Nursing online program has been ranked in the top five among public universities. Dean Jeannette Andrews said the college has made an effort to offer flexible paths for students to complete their degrees.

“Most nurses who are seeking graduate education work 12-hour shifts and varying days during the week,” Andrews said in the release. “They are looking for quality programs, experienced faculty (and) program delivery flexibility, as well as highly engaged faculty who care about student success.”

Three consecutive classes of the College of Nursing achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination.

The rankings also recognized USC’s College of Education, which climbed to No. 23 overall and No. 22 among public universities for excellence in online graduate rankings. The college is ranked 17th overall for its online educational administration program.

“Our online program allows teachers and school administrators the flexibility to further their education while working,” Jon Pedersen, dean of the College of Education, said. “As a college, we are continuously improving our online programs to ensure they meet the changing needs of professionals while continuing to offer relevant content and the experiences that will help students become better educators.”