Skip to main content

5 Questions to Ask When Choosing an Online Graduate Nursing Program

By U.S. News & World Report

For nurses who wish to advance their careers, pursuing an online master’s or doctoral degree may be a great choice, experts say. Doing so can lead to higher salaries and roles with greater authority over patient care.

Some experts say that when it comes to graduate-level study, the nursing field is starting to move away from the master’s degree and shifting more heavily toward doctoral degrees such as the Ph.D. or the Doctor of Nursing Practice. But master’s degrees are still viable options for some students, and institutions including Capella University and Pennsylvania State University–World Campus are continuing to offer them online.

[Explore the U.S. News rankings of the top online nursing master’s programs.]

“A lot of schools have eliminated that master’s degree for advanced practice nurses. That’s not what we’ve opted to do,” says Patrick Robinson, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Capella University, which offers master’s, Ph.D. and DNP degrees online.

It’s important for online learners to select the nursing program that’s best suited to meet their goals. Experts recommend asking the following questions about a program before deciding to enroll.

1. Which type of degree is best for your particular career? In many cases, students will pursue a master’s degree if they want to specialize in a specific area of nursing, experts say.

That was the case for Renae Epler of Hershey, Pennsylvania, a recent graduate of the online master’s in nursing program offered through Penn State. The program allows students to choose specializations in nurse education and administration. Epler, who now works as a patient safety analyst at a hospital, chose the latter.

“For me, it was the right way to go,” she says. “I didn’t want to pursue a doctorate — something I didn’t know for sure I wanted. This was a good place to start, I think.”

[Learn how a master’s degree can give nurses a salary and career boost.]

When it comes to doctorates, the Ph.D. is generally meant for those who wish to become research-focused nursing scientists and develop the knowledge base on which nurses practice, says Robinson, of Capella. The DNP, meanwhile, is geared toward those who hope to use the science of nursing to advance nursing care out in the field, he says.

There are other options out there, too. A bridge program allows students to save time and money by combining the curricula of two degrees. For example, the RN-to-MSN in care coordination offered at Capella gives registered nurses who don’t have bachelor’s degrees the opportunity to complete a Master of Science in Nursing.

2. How much time and money can you spend on a degree? Different degree programs cost different amounts of money and require various time commitments. When choosing a program, it’s important for students to estimate how long it might take them to complete all the requirements and budget accordingly. A Ph.D. typically requires a student to complete more credit hours than a DNP or a master’s degree, for example, Robinson says.

At Capella, the Ph.D. requires 96 credits at $660 per credit. The DNP requires 52 credits at $775 per credit, and a master’s requires 56 at $399 per credit.
3. Is the program accredited? When looking into an online program, a student should verify whether it is accredited and if it is accepted in his or her current state of residence to meet licensing and other requirements, says Michele Pedulla, assistant academic graduate program chair at Kaplan University‘s School of Nursing.

[Discover seven warning signs that an online degree is a scam.]

For instance, at Kaplan, the online nursing master’s programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, she says. Other schools’ programs may be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

4. Is there an on-campus component? Online nursing graduate degree programs can be structured in different ways. Some — like those hosted by Capella, Penn State and Kaplan — enable students to complete all of their requirements, including the clinical experience, in a location of their choice; others, like many of Vanderbilt University‘s, require students to spend some time on campus.

Both options have advantages. The former allows for more flexibility. As for the latter, at Vanderbilt the weeklong on-campus component provides an opportunity to interact with faculty and other students.

“It allows them to network with other students, hear renowned speakers, work together with professors and really become engaged,” says Mavis Schorn, senior associate dean for academics at Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing.
5. Who are the faculty, and what kind of support will you receive? Especially in an online course, where a student rarely, if ever, sees an instructor in person, communication and resources are key, experts say.

A student should research whether a nursing program offers assistance such as academic advisers, writing help centers and library resources, says Pedulla, of Kaplan.

In the program offered at Penn State, students interact with the instructor and each other through online discussion boards, among other forms of communication, and there’s an online help desk to address any technical issues they may encounter, says Judith Hupcey, associate dean for graduate education and research at Penn State’s College of Nursing.

“It’s about more than just cost and speed,” Hupcey says. “It’s the quality of the program you’re getting.”

Trying to fund your online education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for Online Education center.

More from U.S. News

Get Accepted Into a Top Online Graduate Nursing Program

Understand What to Expect From Faculty in Online Nursing Courses

Look at Health Care Trends, Growth to Research Online Nursing Programs

5 Questions to Ask When Choosing an Online Graduate Nursing Program originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote