U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2020 is out, and for the first time ever the School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS) is in the rankings’ Top 30—for not just one, but two of its degree programs.
Both the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs ranked No. 28, based on program excellence and on the quality of the school’s faculty, research, and students, according to U.S. News & World Report.
“We are thrilled to again be recognized in such a positive light by U.S. News & World Report, and be in such good company with our respected peers throughout the nation,” said SONHS Dean and Professor Cindy L. Munro, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, FAAAS. “Our jump in the rankings signals a growing awareness of and respect for the exciting work our faculty and students are doing to transform lives and health care through education, research, innovation, and service across the hemisphere.”
The school’s MSN program, which offers students a wide range of advanced educational and clinical experience as advanced practice nurses, is now Florida’s top program, according to U.S. News. At No. 28 nationally, it is up 4 spots from last year, 10 spots from 2018, and a staggering 33 places from its No. 61 ranking for 2015. First-time pass rates for SONHS students taking nurse practitioner certification exams are regularly well above the national average.
The DNP program also skyrocketed to No. 28, rising 14 spots above its ranking for 2019 and 18 places over its 2018 ranking. The school launched its first DNP program in 2009, adding a BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthesia Track program—Florida’s first—in 2014. Graduates of these DNP programs are prepared to create innovation for nursing practice and health care.
“We are very proud of this achievement, but we also know that rankings are no substitute for getting to know us first-hand,” added Munro. “We hope being highlighted at this elite level in a widely read and closely watched guide like U.S. News & World Report will serve first and foremost to encourage future nurse leaders to take a closer look at the novel, optimistic, world-changing opportunities and education offered at SONHS.”
Located at the Gateway to the Americas in Coral Gables, FL, the School of Nursing and Health Studies is home to a diverse student body and is consistently in the top tier of NIH funding to nursing schools. Its strong program of mission-driven research and scholarly work focuses on disaster preparedness, family caregiving, global health, patient safety and outcomes, and vulnerable populations and health disparities.
For more information about SONHS, visit http://www.sonhs.miami.edu. For more information on U.S. News rankings, visit www.usnews.com/grad.
