Graduate Nursing Programs Earn Top Rankings

Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Graduate Programs, U.S. News & World Report

The Master of Science Nursing (MSN) is the top-ranked program in Florida. (Photo by Alex Dolce)

By gisele galoustian | 3/20/2018

The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University has received a ranking of No. 32 for its Master of Science Nursing (MSN) program and No. 54 for its Doctor of Nursing (DNP) program by the U.S. News & World Report 2019 “Best Graduate Schools Guidebook.” The College’s MSN is the top-ranked program in Florida. There are more than 330 master’s degree programs in the United States accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

“To be listed in this latest U.S. News & World Report ranking and have the top-ranked master’s program in the state of Florida is truly an honor and evidence of the tireless efforts and dedication of our faculty and staff to deliver outstanding nursing programs in this region,” said Marlaine Smith, Ph.D., R.N., dean of FAU’s College of Nursing. “Our excellent graduate programs are preparing the next generation of nurse practitioners, educators and practice leaders to help address the shortage of nurses, primary care providers and educators in Florida and well beyond our state.”

Each year, U.S. News ranks professional school programs in business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing, including specialties in each area. The Best Graduate Schools rankings in these areas are based on two types of data: expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research and students. The data for the rankings in all six disciplines come from statistical surveys of more than 2,012 programs and from reputation surveys sent to more than 20,500 academics and professionals, conducted in fall 2017 and early 2018. As prospective students research course offerings and weigh schools' intangible attributes, the information on the U.S. News website can help applicants compare concrete factors, such as student-faculty ratio and job placement success upon graduation.

FAU’s College of Nursing excelled in the percent of faculty active in nursing practice, number of master’s degrees awarded, external grant support, percent of faculty with doctoral degrees and distinguished fellowships, and affordability.

FAU’s College of Nursing is internationally known for its commitment to nursing as a discipline focused on nurturing the wholeness of persons and the environment through Caring. The College advances Caring knowledge through education, practice, research and scholarship to transform care locally, nationally and globally. Currently, the College of Nursing offers bachelor’s, master’s, DNP and Ph.D. degree programs with approximately 1,600 nursing students enrolled in its programs. For more information, visit www.nursing.fau.edu.

Also listed in the U.S. News “Best Graduate Schools” 2019 rankings are programs in FAU’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within the College for Design and Social Inquiry (No. 128), College of Education (No. 158), and Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (biology, No. 235).

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