{"id":20269,"date":"2026-09-05T19:10:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T19:10:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.degreequery.com\/?page_id=20269---90a31d5c-8f7d-476a-8520-74cab3f14c29"},"modified":"2026-10-01T21:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T21:38:15","slug":"good-quality-online-masters-nursing-programs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.degreequery.com\/nursing-degrees\/good-quality-online-masters-nursing-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Are There Good Quality Online Master’s Programs in Nursing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Registered nurses who want to advance their nursing careers can become advanced practice nurses (APRN). \u00a0These degrees are offered at numerous online colleges and universities. Master\u2019s programs in nursing may include entry-level master\u2019s degrees, RN to master\u2019s degree programs, baccalaureate to master\u2019s degree programs, dual master\u2019s degree programs, and post-master\u2019s certificate programs. These programs prepare nurses to become clinical nurse leaders, nurse managers, nurse practitioners, nurse informaticists, and nurse educators. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics<\/a>, advanced practice nurses are projected to grow 26% over the next 10 years. This is much faster than the average amount of projected growth for all occupations.<\/p>\n

Master of Science in Nursing degrees can significantly raise your earning potential. Advanced practice nurses earn a median wage of $113,930, compared to $71,730 for RNs.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, what makes good quality online master\u2019s programs in nursing? Cost, length of program, accreditation and accolades are common factors used to determine quality. Of course, students look at cost as a factor for good quality online master’s programs in nursing, but other factors need to be considered. The most important of these factors is accreditation. Accrediting organizations like the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) evaluates schools according to standards established by professionals in that field. This means that \u201caccredited\u201d schools decrease a student\u2019s need to investigate good quality schools because much of the investigatory work has been done already. Accrediting bodies are used as a safety net for students so that colleges cannot just \u201chand out\u201d degrees without being vetted.<\/p>\n

How to review colleges<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Students should take note of the program’s length and curriculum offered by the school. In general, master\u2019s programs in nursing are a minimum of 36 credit hours. This includes baccalaureate to master\u2019s degree programs. Master\u2019s programs in nursing should specifically list which accreditation they are awarded. Be cautious of colleges that do not blatantly list accreditation or list accreditation that seems phony or fake. All accreditation should have a corresponding website, as well as be listed on the Department of Education<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Students can protect themselves by further investigation through the Department of Education\u2019s list of accredited universities for nursing programs. Schools that do not have a reputable accrediting body, are not verified by the Department of Education, and require less than average credit hours should be red flags. Students should proceed with caution.<\/p>\n

Online master\u2019s programs in nursing are numerous, but which are the best quality? Good quality programs are defined by cost, length of program, accreditation and accolades of the university.<\/strong> The most important factor is accreditation which determines and verifies the quality of each program.<\/p>\n

Why accreditation matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Accreditation is usually determined by third party organizations to reduce bias and conflict of interest. These accrediting agencies define operating standards for educational or professional institutions and determine if those standards have been met. Programs, such as master\u2019s in nursing degrees, are reviewed to determine quality. Accreditation also ensures that curriculum is up to date, relevant for the field of study, and consistent among universities. You don\u2019t want to attend a college that is teaching outdated nursing research, and then be behind the curve when you begin to practice in the \u2018real world\u2019.<\/p>\n

Several large publishing companies drive many of the curriculum used by nursing schools today; both undergraduate and graduate programs. These publishers have their own accrediting bodies to which they must answer. Thus, safeguarding high-quality nursing content being delivered to all universities and colleges.<\/p>\n

Without accreditation, schools cannot be trusted as high-quality educational sources that provide good outcomes after graduation. Attending colleges that are accredited, reassures students that programs are evaluated and held to high standards.<\/p>\n

How accreditation works<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When looking into good quality online master\u2019s programs in nursing, look for those accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE<\/a>). Most graduate nursing schools should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, but if they are not, be wary of attending. The CCNE is an independent accrediting agency, invested in the improvement of the public\u2019s health. The commission’s responsibility is to make sure the quality and integrity of baccalaureate, graduate, and residency programs in nursing exist. It also ensures nursing programs self-evaluate and continue to improve.<\/p>\n

The CCNE is a nongovernmental peer review process that operates in accordance with nationally recognized standards. The standards include<\/a>:<\/p>\n