The Best Online Public Health Nursing Programs
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Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Courtney Hale / iStock / Getty Images PlusIf you’re hoping to advance into nursing leadership roles, particularly in a community or government setting, you can get a leg up with a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree in public health nursing.
This ranking and career guide were designed to help you find the best public health nursing program for you. Find out what to look for, how to pay for your graduate nursing degree, and potential career paths once you’ve hoisted your diploma.
Featured Online Master’s in Public Health Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn More About the Best Online Public Health Nursing Programs & Schools
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, AL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,720
- Out-of-state$19,440
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled9,238
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
- Omaha, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,089
- Out-of-state$15,089
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled1,212
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment78%
- AccreditationYes
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in an Online Public Health Nursing Program
There are several key factors to consider when selecting an online public health nursing program. It’s essential to consider a program’s admission requirements, prerequisites for clinical experience, accreditation status, length, and the school’s retention and job placement rates.
Admission Requirements
Understanding a program’s admission requirements helps you gauge your chances of acceptance and reveals what the school values in applicants. .
Clinical Experience
All MSN and DNP in public health programs require students to complete real-world clinical experiences, but duration, location, and other key details vary. Many programs require remote students to arrange local clinical experiences in their communities. Find out whether your program of interest assists students in finding clinical placements — some do and some don’t.
Accreditation
Ensure the public health nursing program is accredited. Proper accreditation is required if you ever want to transfer your credits to another school, continue your nursing education, or become certified in a nursing specialty. In addition, many employers require that prospective employees graduate from an accredited program.
Program Length
When looking at potential online public health nursing programs, find out the number of credits required and how long the program takes to complete. Considering the program’s length will help ensure it fits your financial, personal, and career goals.
Retention and Job Placement
A school or program’s retention and job-placement statistics are often available online. The percentage of graduates who find gainful employment and stay in their jobs can indicate how well the program prepared these learners for the workforce.
School Graduation Rate
A program’s graduation and exam pass rates indicate the program’s overall success in preparing students for success. It can also serve as a predictor of a new student’s chance of graduating.
Online Learning Format and Requirements
Learning about a program’s format is essential, particularly if you plan to work while continuing your education. Often, working students must enroll in flexible online courses that accommodate their work and family obligations.
Find out if the coursework is synchronous or asynchronous. Students must attend synchronous lectures on a specific schedule. Asynchronous classes allow students to view lectures when convenient.
Why Is Online Public Health Nursing Program Accreditation Important?
Nursing accreditation demonstrates the program meets quality standards. The accreditation process for graduate nursing programs involves a review of the program’s curriculum, courses, and instructors to ensure the program meets the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) standards of safe nursing practice.
There are several reasons accreditation is essential, including:
- Nurses must attend accredited programs to be eligible to take the NCLEX exam, become licensed, and obtain nursing certifications.
- Graduates from non-accredited bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs may not be eligible for graduate school.
- Credit transfers from an unaccredited school are generally not accepted.
- Federal aid and other lenders will only approve financial assistance for accredited programs.
- Many employers require that nurses complete accredited programs to ensure they have learned safe nursing practice.
How Online Public Health Programs Work
Many online public health nursing programs offer 100% online coursework that can be completed on your own time, also known as asynchronous learning. Other programs are hybrid programs and require students to take courses in person and online.
If an online program is accredited, it must meet the same standards as an in-person MSN program, including the number of clinical hours. Online public health nursing programs require that students get hands-on clinical experience by participating in clinical practices within their local community.
These online programs usually provide students with access to online libraries, discussion boards, and digital resources to facilitate engaging learning experiences. In addition, students receive online support from faculty and academic advisors.
Applying to an Online Public Health Nursing Program
Finding the right online public health nursing program is a big decision. Several steps are involved in researching the best online public health nursing programs. These measures include narrowing your search to just a few options, ensuring you meet the admission requirements, and submitting your application and all other required admission materials.
Admission Requirements
Applicants typically need a BSN from an accredited program to apply for MSN in public health programs. If you are applying for an RN-to-MSN or an accelerated or direct-entry MSN program, you will not be required to have a BSN. Most programs require a year or more of nursing experience.
Admission Materials
Required admission materials often include at least two professional references, transcripts from an undergraduate program, an active, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license, a personal essay or statement, resume or CV, and an application. Some programs also require background checks or certain immunizations
GPA Requirement
A 3.0 or higher GPA is usually required. If your GPA is below the required threshold, speak to an advisor to discuss other potential options.
Paying for Online Public Health Nursing Programs
Many factors can impact paying for your nursing degree, such as living expenses, tuition, and fees, including:
- In-state or out-of-state tuition
- Private or public college or university (private schools are usually more expensive)
- Program length
- Working while attending graduate school
- Paying out of pocket vs receiving financial aid
Types of financial aid include student loans, grants and scholarships, or employer tuition reimbursement. Every college or university has a list of financial aid sources, including special grants specifically for graduate programs.
After graduation, you may qualify for a loan forgiveness program if you join the military or work in an underserved public health field.
What Can You Do With a Degree from a Public Health Nursing Program?
Online public health nursing programs prepare graduate nurses to work for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, healthcare systems, and nonprofit community programs (e.g., disaster relief programs).
- Public Health Nurse: Public health nurses combine their nursing education with public health knowledge to educate the public on injury and disease prevention and health promotion. A key aspect of a public health nurse’s job is to promote population-based programs and services. A public health nurse uses community assessment skills, implements changes, and evaluates outcomes while promoting and preserving the health of populations. These nurses make a difference in communities, global health, and the lives of their clients. The average hourly rate for public health nurses is $38 as of May 2024, according to ZipRecruiter.
- Medical and Health Services Manager: Medical and health services managers, also known as health care administrators, plan, direct, and coordinate services in the medical field. A medical practice manager may oversee a physicians’ group, a clinic, or a hospital facility. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for a health services manager is $53.21 per hour.
- Public Health Educator: Public health educators teach individuals or groups about health, safety, and disease prevention via lectures, presentations, and written material. The goal of a public health educator is to motivate communities and health leaders and promote health wellness and disease prevention. The average hourly rate for a nurse educator is $49 as of May 2024, according to ZipRecruiter.
- Infection Control Nurse: Infection control nurses focus on preventing and lowering infection transmission in hospitals and community settings. Their typical duties include analyzing data, educating patients and staff, and ensuring that facilities follow evidence-based practices in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The average hourly rate for an infection control nurse is $44 as of May 2024, according to ZipRecruiter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Public Health Nursing Programs
Public health nurses can obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree in their field, but MSNs, especially in conjunction with a CPH certification or PHNA-BC certification, can open up a broader range of professional possibilities. Many employers require or strongly prefer an MSN and an advanced practice certificate for higher-level nursing positions.
Page Last Reviewed: November 8, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.
