USM Graduate Nursing Programs Garner Recognition from U.S. News & World Report

The University of Southern Mississippi's College of Nursing has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in its 2019 ranking of Best Graduate Schools. USM is ranked among the nation's top 150 colleges/universities for its Master's in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

Each year, U.S. News evaluates graduate programs across six major disciplines: business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing. For the Best Nursing Schools rankings, U.S. News surveyed the 552 nursing schools with Master's or doctoral programs accredited in late summer 2017 by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

In total 314 nursing programs responded to the U.S. News nursing statistical data collection. Of those, 296 provided enough data to be included in the rankings of nursing master's programs. In addition, 203 schools provided enough statistical data to be included in the ranking of Doctor of Nursing Practice programs. In many cases, nursing schools have both accredited master's and DNP programs.

The USM College of Nursing's Master's program is rated No. 136 in the rankings, while the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is ranked No. 117. No other Mississippi college or university received a ranking by the renowned publication in the Best Graduate Schools nursing category.

“We are very pleased our graduate programs continue to be recognized for their outstanding outcomes,” said Dr. Lachel Story, Interim Associate Dean and Director, School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice at USM. “These programs graduate advanced practice nurses who are prepared to meet the healthcare needs of the state and region. They provide primary care as well as impact practice at a systems level to improve patient care.”

The USM College of Nursing offers graduate programs at both the Hattiesburg campus and Gulf Park campus in Long Beach. Last year the MSN and DNP programs produced 84 graduates. Enrollment in both programs, as of the Fall 2017 semester, was 226.

Degree tracks available in the MSN program include: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Degree tracks in the DNP program include: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, and Clinical.

To learn more about graduate programs offered by the USM College of Nursing, call 601.266.5445 or visit: https://www.usm.edu/nursing