Three Johns Hopkins master's degree programs among top online programs in the country

Johns Hopkins graduate programs in engineering and nursing were ranked among the top online master's programs in the country, according to new rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

For the second year in a row, the School of Nursing's online nursing master's degree options in administration and leadership are ranked No. 2 in the country. The school is currently ranked No. 1 for its master's degree in rankings released by U.S. News in May and No. 3 for its Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

The School of Nursing offers three master's tracks, including the MSN Entry into Nursing Program and the MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership and MSN Healthcare Organizational Leadership/MBA, which are both delivered online. Collectively, the school is ranked No. 9 for its online programs.

"Our online master's offering continues to be top-ranked for its excellence in preparing nurse leaders to deliver and manage health care across all settings," says Patricia Davidson, dean of the School of Nursing. "The online component offers scheduling flexibility and the opportunity for students to practice within organizations close to their home."

The Whiting School of Engineering maintained its No. 2 standing among online computer information technology programs. It moved up two spots to No. 11 in rankings of online engineering programs and is tied with Texas A&M University, College Station, and University of Florida.

In specialty categories, the Whiting School achieved the following rankings:

• Engineering management held its No. 1 spot
• Electrical and computer engineering slipped from No. 3 to No. 5
• Mechanical engineering fell from No. 3 to No. 4
• Industrial/systems engineering slipped from No. 3 to No. 8

This year, for the first time, civil engineering was included among specialties ranked, and Whiting's online program landed at No. 4.

"For nearly two decades, our program has steadily evolved, with innovations in instructional techniques that provide students with the support, knowledge, and experiences they need to advance their careers," says Dan Horn, associate dean for Engineering for Professionals. "These programs and courses always reflect the latest in technologies, ensuring that our students apply what they learn to real-world situations."

U.S. News rankings for online graduate programs are categorized into seven disciplines and are based on scores in five weighted areas: opportunities for student engagement, faculty credentials and training, expert opinion of the program, student services and available technologies, and student excellence.