USM Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Practitioner Programs Earn High Ranking
Fri, 10/27/2023 - 01:37pm | By: Van Arnold
The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) online Doctor of Nursing Practice-Nurse Practitioner (DNP-NP) programs have been ranked among the nation’s Top-10 in affordability by the online resource guide NPSchools.
USM climbed from No. 13 in 2022-23 to the No. 8 spot in the 2023-24 rankings. USM is the only college or university in Mississippi included in the 2023-24 rankings.
The ranking system assigns an “AdvanceU score” to each school. It is strictly quantitative, factoring in admissions flexibility, program variety, and cost. All ranked schools offer online programs accredited by one of three major nursing accreditors: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), or the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).
Dr. LaWanda Baskin, Director, School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice at USM, says the lofty ranking reflects the high quality of the online DNP-NP programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
“This ranking suggests that the University’s programs are not only affordable but also provide a strong educational foundation and valuable skills for nurse practitioners, demonstrating their commitment to deliver top-tier education in this field,” said Baskin.
USM’s current DNP enrollment includes:
- BSN-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner: 15 students
- BSN-DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 9 students
- Clinical DNP (Post Masters): 11 students
The University’s Nurse Anesthesia Program, which is not included in the rankings, includes 67 students.
NPSchools also ranked the Most Affordable Online Post-Master’s NP Certificate Programs for 23-24. USM earned a No. 18 national ranking and again is the only Mississippi college or university making the list.
“Our Doctor of Nursing Practice programs stand out from others because the DNP programs are known for being affordable and this makes our programs more accessible to a wider range of students,” said Baskin. “We also provide the opportunity for students to focus on areas of nursing that match their goals, such as family nurse practitioner or psychiatric-mental health nursing practitioner.”
Added Baskin, “USM has experienced and well-qualified faculty members who actively engage in research and clinical practice and provide opportunities for research and scholarly activities allowing students to contribute to the advancement of nursing practice and healthcare. Finally, many of our courses are offered online and that appeals to working nurses who need to balance their studies with their professional and personal responsibilities.”
See the entire rankings.
To learn more about DNP-NP programs at USM, call 601.266.5527.