The online master’s programs offered by the School of Nursing, School of Business, and College of Engineering are among the best in the country, according to new rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

According to the latest rankings:

• The online Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program in the School of Business is No. 9 nationally, up from No. 11 three years ago.
• The two online Master of Science in Nursing programs are No. 8 nationally, up from No. 18 last year and the highest ranked program among nursing schools in New England.
• The online Master of Engineering program is No. 37 nationally, a placement identical to last year’s ranking. The rank is 25 spots higher than three years ago.

U.S. News ranks programs according to their performance across a set of indicators of excellence, including faculty credentials, student engagement, reputation in both academic and industry circles, graduation rates, class size, online teaching best practices, support services, and more.

A commitment to innovative nursing education

The School of Nursing offers a significant opportunity for online programs in continuing education. This has grown from past years to include family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, nurse educator, neonatal nurse practitioner concentration, and nurse leader.

The graduate program was established in 1971 and has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Its experienced faculty prepares skilled nurse leaders who synthesize the best evidence and translate it into practice to advance health locally and globally. Graduate students are offered flexible online programming, superior clinical experiences, multiple concentration options, and a superior certification pass rate.

“The significant rise to Number 8 in our national rankings demonstrates UConn Nursing’s outstanding program and the school’s commitment to innovative, high-quality nursing education. UConn Nursing faculty are dedicated to preparing the next generation of advanced practice nurses, nurse educators and nurse leaders,” says Dean Victoria Vaughan Dickson. “Our graduates are poised to address the complexities of nursing care; advance evidence-based practice that promotes health equity; and be leaders who champion the transformation of healthcare. UConn Nursing is proud to recognize our exemplary faculty and students.”

Advancing the careers of working engineers

Underneath the UConn College of Engineering, online Master of Engineering (MENG) degrees have remained strong and steady. 

With 14 concentrations offered, from biomedical engineering to digital design and manufacturing, students earn the skills to advance as engineers in various professions. 

The MENG degree is offered through the Center for Advanced Engineering Education, a UConn Engineering center dedicated to providing continuous learning opportunities for engineers that are flexible and accessible. The entity was formerly known as the UConn School of Engineering’s Professional Education program before its elevation to a center this past fall. 

“We believe it’s pivotal that working engineers are provided with the opportunity to earn their MENG in a way that is flexible and convenient,” says Center Program Director Nora Sutton. “Our degrees are designed to help students balance their work/life responsibilities, empowering them to be a real force in the increasingly evolving, and highly impactful, world of engineering.” 

High standards for online education

This year, the School of Business’ MSA program added two certificates, one in tax and the other in financial reporting, that align student coursework with the newly redesigned CPA exam.

“What makes the program consistently successful is that we have always set high standards for online education, even before other universities were offering online programs,’’ says Professor George Plesko, accounting department head.

“Over time, the program has continued to innovate and to increase the expectations of what we can offer,’’ he said. “In addition, we have a group of highly talented faculty who are dedicated to the program, its mission, and our students.’’

The UConn accounting program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), considered the ‘gold standard’ of business school evaluation.

The 30-credit MSA program was created in 1999 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. It provides the additional accounting credit hours to complete the educational requirements needed to earn a CPA license. Over the last few years, several UConn MSA alumni have won the coveted Elijah Watt Sells Award, from the American Institute of CPAs, presented to those who score among the best in the nation on their first attempt at their CPA exams.