On January 8, Saint Xavier University’s online Graduate Program in Nursing was recently ranked number one on U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs”.
Founded in 2008, the decision to create the program, according to Dr. Margaret Reneau the Director of Graduate Online Education for Nursing, came because of the demand from students for a flexible program so they could go back to school and continue working.
Students of the Online Graduate program can choose one of two tracks: MS in Nursing/Clinical Leadership or MS in Nursing/Executive Leadership.
The usual student enrolled in either of the programs include working adults who have anywhere from one to thirty years of nursing experience. Finishing the program takes an average of eight semesters, or two in a half years, though the time frame varies from student to student.
When asked what she thought of Saint Xavier’s online program and its number one ranking, current undergraduate nursing student Chioma Okere stated, “Saint Xavier continues to hold onto their high regards. I’m not surprised that they received that title because Saint Xavier is proving to be one of the best schools teaching wise and environmental wise in the aspect of students being able to learn. They are successful in molding successful students and graduates in class, so I don’t doubt their ability to do the same online.”
When it came to judging the more than one hundred and ten other programs alongside Saint Xavier’s, there were several factors that were considered. These factors included the following: student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, as well as peer reputation.
Saint Xavier stood out when it came to student engagement because students are not only able to freely collaborate with others in the program, but instructors are also available as well as responsive. Dr. Reneau explains that instructors, “Are also tasked with helping create an experience that is rewarding enough for students to stay enrolled and complete their degrees in a reasonable amount of time, which is three years for the SXU MSN degree.”
An online program is only as strong as its instructors, who should have the same credentials that are expected of the faculty of campus-based programs. Saint Xavier monitors its faculty’s performance and when needed action is taken to improve a faculty member’s online teaching technique.
A part of helping students achieve completion of this program involves giving them the necessary tools, which can be found in a program’s student services and technology.
The online MSN program has a twenty-four-seven help desk, assistance in financial aid, assigns advisers to students for career guidance, and includes many faculty members who are also mentors for students.
Lastly, every institution’s reputation among its peers is taken into consideration. Earlier this year, it was reported that the National League for Nursing named Saint Xavier’s nursing program as a Center of Excellence for a third consecutive term. Such a designation is determined through a panel of peer institution reviewers.
As a university not only known for its nursing program but also for the amazing nurses it turns out, as mentioned previously by student Chioma Okere, it is no wonder that the excellence found in its campus-based program can also be found in the online graduate program.
For more information regarding SXU’s online programs go to: www.sxu.edu, keyword: online programs.
Catlyn Hicks
Senior News Editor