The UNC Greensboro School of Nursing is ranked No. 24 in the latest U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs, which was released Tuesday.

Only one school in the UNC System is ranked higher than UNCG for the best online master of science in nursing (MSN) program – East Carolina University at No. 18. 

“We are honored to receive this recognition for our outstanding MSN program. We educate innovators, creators, and leaders who do not settle for the status quo.”

Dr. Debra J. Barksdale, dean of the UNCG School of Nursing

The prestigious ranking comes as the School of Nursing is in the process of making some exciting changes to its MSN program.

The School of Nursing is adding an accelerated option to its MSN program this year, which will allow students admitted to UNCG’s bachelor of science of nursing (BSN) program to work simultaneously toward their MSN degree. They’ll complete their MSN degree in two years of part-time study instead of three years.

The first cohort in the accelerated MSN program will consist of 10 students, who’ll start taking classes in the program this summer. Current UNCG students are invited to apply for the first cohort in March after they’re admitted into the BSN program.

The U.S. News & World Report ranking is the latest accolade for the School of Nursing.

In 2022, UNCG had the fourth-highest NCLEX pass rate and graduated the third-largest number of BSN students among the 12 nursing schools in the UNC System. The NCLEX is the national test that nursing graduates are required to pass to be licensed to work as registered nurses in the U.S. and Canada.

The School of Nursing had 109 graduates take the NCLEX for the first time last year, with 91.74 percent of them passing it.