²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s online Master’s in Educational Leadership improved to No. 5 (tie), up nine spots from No. 14 in the 2025 rankings.

For the first time, Montclair also earned a ranking in the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs category at No. 56 (tie), reflecting the University’s growing portfolio of online undergraduate degree completion options which now includes Business Administration, Economics, Family Science and Human Development, Liberal Studies, Nursing RN to BSN and Psychology.

²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s online graduate business offerings were also recognized, with the University’s Best Online Master’s in Business Programs (non-MBA) ranked No. 53 (tie) nationally, an eight-spot increase from No. 61 in 2025. The ranking highlights the strength of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s online Master of Science programs in Business Analytics, Digital Marketing Analytics, and Human Resource Analytics.

Additional 2026 ranked programs include:

• Best Online MBA Programs: No. 107 (tie)
• Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs: No. 62 (tie)

“ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ makes everything around learning as simple as possible, from applying, to navigating coursework, to getting student support when questions come up,â€� says Marc Austin, vice provost and managing director, Montclair Unbound. “These U.S. News rankings reflect the work behind the scenes to deliver a high-quality online experience that’s engaging, well-supported and designed for student success. Students should be able to focus on the hard work of study; we streamline the rest.â€�

U.S. News & World Report program rankings are based on scores from five categories – student engagement, services and technologies, student excellence, faculty credentials and training, and opinions of academic experts across 1,800 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

Are you a:

Prospective Student: Explore ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½â€™s full range of programs, from fully online undergraduate degrees to online and low-residency master’s and doctoral offerings as well as career-advancing certificates and certifications.

Media Member: Contact the Media Relations team for further details or to schedule an interview.

The DNP at Montclair is designed to educate working RNs for direct care as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to provide care as family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.

Master’s prepared Certified Nurse Practitioners will enter the program without a concentration.

The program can be completed in 2 years (6 semesters), 3 years (8 semesters), or 5 years (14 semesters) depending on the student’s previous level of education and choice of full or part time study.

“Launching our new DNP program is a significant step forward in the evolution of the School of Nursing,� says . “Our experienced faculty look forward to working with nurses who seek to advance their clinical practice by coordinating and managing care to address the needs of individuals, families, and communities across settings and over time. This program will give practicing nurses the tools they need for leadership as the next generation enters the field.�

Classes are fully online and asynchronous to fit a working nurse’s busy schedule. In-person clinical hours and three on-campus immersions ensure hands-on rigor and real-world readiness.

The online DNP is the first online doctoral program at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University. for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 and are accepted on a rolling basis.

“We know the demand for healthcare practitioners in New Jersey is growing, and the need for doctorate-prepared Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners is especially high,� says Marc Austin, Vice Provost and Managing Director for Montclair Unbound. “These new degrees have a ‘healthcare multiplier’ effect for the state. We are very pleased to offer them fully online so working professionals can advance their knowledge and their careers without disrupting their already busy lives.�

I’m a _______, tell me more…

Prospective Student: Learn more about the Doctor of Nursing Practice at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University or take the first step towards applying to become a Red Hawk.

Journalist: Contact the Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview.

Empathy

Anja Deitmer, second from left, a pediatric nurse, draws on her natural empathy to guide children and their families through some of their most difficult healthcare experiences.

Anja Deitmer – Pediatric Nurse

“From a young age, I was drawn to comforting others, whether it was a classmate who was upset or a friend who was injured on the playground. What I didn’t recognize back then was that this natural sense of empathy and steady reassurance would become one of my most valuable strengths as a pediatric nurse, especially when supporting children and families through challenging moments.”

Communication

Sarah Kelly, right, debriefs with 4-year BSN students following a simulation exercise in ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s immersive Simulation Center.

Sarah Kelly – Nurse Educator

“Growing up, my mom always said, ‘since I learned to talk, I have not stopped talking.’ I was good at talking to and with people I knew, as well as those I didn’t know. Communication is key to being an effective nurse. Talking with patients in the hospital who are lonely and want someone to listen to them can make all the difference.â€�

Curiosity

Elizabeth Fitzgerald – Emergency Room/Trauma Nurse

“As a child I was always asking ‘why’. I wanted to know how things worked and why things were happening. This has translated into a strong desire to understand what is going on with my patients and how the human body works.â€�

I Don’t Have These Traits. Can I Still Become A Nurse?

Yes! Empathy, communication and curiosity aren’t just personality traits — they’re skills you can build. Even if you’re naturally shy or introverted, you can absolutely become a great nurse.

If you feel the calling to become a nurse, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University’s 4-Year BSN Program can help you grow into the nurse you’ve always wanted to be.

²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s curriculum is a blend of theory and practice — giving you both the hard and soft skills you’ll need to become an effective nurse.

Humanities coursework will help you strengthen your empathy and communication skills, allowing you to care for patients from all walks of life.

Hands-on training — including practice with intelligent simulators and regular clinical practicums — will give you the technological skills and confidence needed to thrive in any healthcare setting.

4-year BSN students use a bag-valve-mask device to perform CPR on a simulation manikin during a training exercise inside ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s skills training laboratory.

Why ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s 4-Year BSN Program:

• Experiential Learning: Learn how to use emerging technology to care for patients in complex scenarios through simulation in ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s immersive Simulation Center. Get clinical experience by caring for real patients in the community.
• Get Certification Ready: Upon graduation, you will be ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam — 92% of Montclair’s 4-year BSN graduates passed the NCLEX-RN in 2024.
• Comprehensive Nursing Curriculum: Develop your critical thinking and data analysis skills with a robust curriculum grounded in science, mathematics, the humanities and nursing theory.
• Affordable Tuition: As a public institution, Montclair offers one of the most affordable degrees in New Jersey. With plenty of options for financial aid — including scholarships and need-based grants — a nursing degree does not need to break the bank.

4-year BSN students work with an intelligent simulator inside one of ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s five high-fidelity simulation rooms.

Ready To Take Your First Step Towards Your Future Nursing Career?

Prospective Students: The application for fall 2026 opens August 1. Get ready to apply by reviewing our admission requirements and scheduling a campus visit.
Journalists: Contact our Media Relations team to request assets or schedule an interview.

Story by Staff Content Producer Jayda Brown.

No matter your background, it’s never too late to become a nurse. In fact, your life experience isn’t just relevant — it’s a superpower. It can actually make you a better, more compassionate nurse.

And with programs like the Pre-licensure MSN at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University, you can become a nurse, even if your bachelor’s degree is in something completely different.

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger – and Kinder

You know the saying, “nobody gets through life unscathed�? As we age, we encounter more and more seismic life events — changing jobs, economic challenges, grief, or the birth of a child.
Overcoming adversity may make us more resilient, but did you know that your past can also be an asset in your nursing career?

How Overcoming Adversity Can Make You A Better Nurse

• Increased Empathy: Studies show that people who have faced adversities in life have greater empathy and compassion, and are more likely to help others in need.
• Better Patient Outcomes: Patients cared for by highly empathetic professionals experience better results — lower complication rates for people with diabetes, reduced psychological distress for cancer patients, and mothers experience less pain during labor and childbirth.

As a nurse, your empathy is a gift. Every challenge you’ve overcome helps you connect with your patients in their most vulnerable moments, allowing you to provide the best care possible.

What is a Pre-licensure MSN Program?

A Pre-licensure MSN program is an accelerated master’s program designed for people who want to become nurses but have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.

It prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become a licensed registered nurse — no prior healthcare experience required.

Perfect for career changers or those re-entering the workforce, this program offers a direct path into nursing without starting over from scratch.

Why ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s Pre-licensure MSN Program?

• Proven Results: 100% of Montclair graduates passed the NCLEX-RN in 2024.
• Accelerated Path: Graduate in just 7 semesters — that’s less than two years to launch your nursing career.
• Hands-On Learning: Learn to coordinate care, apply evidence-based practices, and make a real impact in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.
• Affordable Tuition: As a public institution, Montclair offers one of the most affordable paths to a nursing degree in New Jersey.

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective Students: The next Pre-Licensure MSN cohort begins in Summer 2026. Get ready to by reviewing our admission requirements and scheduling a campus visit.
Journalists: Contact our Media Relations team to request assets or schedule an interview.

Story by Staff Content Producer Jayda Brown.

If you’re an RN with an ADN, you may wonder if it’s really worth it to go back to school for a BSN. You’ve already passed the NCLEX-RN and have years of experience under your belt. Shouldn’t that be enough?

In 2022, 2 million nurses entered the workforce with a BSN, making it . So experience alone might not be enough to keep you competitive in this job market. But beyond staying competitive, evidence shows that having a BSN can enhance your nursing practice.

From increased critical thinking skills to improved patient outcomes, the results don’t lie — more education creates better nurses. And better nurses can demand higher pay and more opportunities.

Building On Your ADN: What More Do You Learn With a BSN?

Your ADN program focused on teaching you basic clinical skills to prepare you for direct patient care. A BSN is a little different — it builds on the practical foundation of an ADN with coursework in critical thinking, leadership, communication, informational technology, and public health.

According to Courtney Reinisch, Family Nurse Practitioner and Professor at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University’s School of Nursing, a BSN helps nurses develop a global perspective, allowing them to understand the cultural, social, political and economic factors that affect their patients.

“They’re not just considering individuals, but entire populations and communities,� says Dr. Reinisch. “They’re thinking of families, communities, and social determinants of health.�

That isn’t just feel-good fluff, it results in better patient outcomes. had 24% greater odds of surviving an in-hospital cardiac arrest, 24.6% lower odds of mortality, and a 7.8% decrease in length of stay.

A BSN Makes Nurses More Marketable

Critical thinking and leadership skills along with improved patient outcomes have made BSN-prepared nurses highly desirable in the job market.

• The Institute of Medicine has called for to hold at least a bachelor’s degree by 2020.
• 28% of hospitals require new hires to have a bachelor’s degree and 72% of employers “â€� BSN-holding nurses.
• As of 2022, held a BSN or higher.

In order to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly changing healthcare job market, it really helps to have a bachelor’s degree.

A BSN Unlocks Future Opportunities

If you desire to move beyond bedside care, a BSN unlocks opportunities in administration, research, and leadership. You could even use it for non-clinical careers, like pharmaceutical or medical device sales, legal nurse consulting, and more.

A BSN is also a stepping stone to higher-level nursing professions such as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, or Nurse Midwife, which require at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Choosing an RN-to-BSN Program

As a working nurse, it’s important to choose an accredited RN-to-BSN program that allows flexibility for working students, as well as opportunities for hands-on experience and career development.

The RN-to-BSN program at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University is designed with your schedule as a working nurse in mind. Classes are 100% online and asynchronous, allowing you to complete your coursework on your own time.

Through a partnership with the West Orange Health Department, students also gain hands-on experience while serving people in need.

Founded in 2016, ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s RN-to-BSN program is small and tight knit. “The students get to know each other and build their own community,â€� says Reinisch. “We include opportunities for students to build connections that result in networking opportunities. We’ve had students recruit each other for job opportunities they think classmates would be a great fit for.â€�

Professor Courtney Reinisch (right) prepares COVID-19 vaccinations for homebound residents in West Orange with Mark Rodrigues (left) and Theresa Migliaccio (middle), two graduates of Montclair’s RN-to-BSN program.

Affording a BSN Degree

Due to the increased demand for BSN-qualified nurses, some employers may pay for RNs to earn their bachelor’s degree.

As a public institution, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University is one of the most affordable options in New Jersey.

Pursuing higher education doesn’t have to break the bank, and there are plenty of options to help you pay for college.

Are You A…

Prospective Student?

or take the first step in applying to become a Red Hawk.

Story by Staff Content Producer Jayda Brown.

Montclair’s accelerated Pre-licensure MSN degree program prepares non-nursing college graduates to enter the nursing profession with the ability to provide direct care and manage outcomes in many health-care settings.

With coursework that advances current experience through a well-rounded exploration across nursing and a unique focus on care coordination and evidence-based practice, our students gain the knowledge required for making a difference in the lives of persons, families, and communities.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

View the information session below and learn more about our program!

Still Have Questions?
Contact the School of Nursing at 973-655-3693 or nursing@montclair.edu

The master’s degree program in nursing at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Develop advanced knowledge and skills to translate evidence to practice and assume leadership roles to improve health outcomes for diverse populations. With online didactic coursework, our MS in Nursing is designed to give you a flexible, affordable way to earn your advanced degree.

Registered nurses in New Jersey who hold a baccalaureate degree in a non-nursing discipline are also eligible to enter the MS in Nursing through the RN to MSN Bridge.

View the information session below and learn more about this exciting program!

Still Have Questions?
Contact the School of Nursing at 973-655-3654 or msn@montclair.edu.

The master’s degree program in nursing at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The five University programs that participate in the survey include the master’s in Business Administration (MBA), master’s in Education, master’s in Information Technology, master’s in Business and master’s in Nursing.

Highlights from the 2025 Best Online Programs Rankings:

• ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is ranked No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in New Jersey. The education programs survey also ranked certain specialty areas, including Educational Administration and Supervision, in which the University also ranked at No. 13.
• ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s ranked at No. 100 in the nation. The program ranked at No. 61 in the nation, up 10 spots from 2024.
• The University’s Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Applied Information Technology (Professional Science Master’s) is ranked No. 50.
• The University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, launched in 2018, had another substantial increase, improving nearly 20 spots to No. 58 and ranked No. 2 in New Jersey.

U.S. News & World Report program rankings are based on scores from five categories – student engagement, services and technologies, student excellence, faculty credentials and training, and opinions of academic experts.

“We recognize that no two pathways to a degree are alike, and our educational options reflect that reality,� says Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales. “These latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report are demonstrative of our efforts to be leaders in offering curricula that best serves the 21st-century student. We are honored to be ranked among some of the best online degree programs in the country.�

²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s Online Program Offerings

Montclair also offers several other online graduate degree and certificate options designed to equip working professionals with career-enhancing skills, including:

• A Master of Arts in Child Advocacy and Policy
• A low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Dance
• A Master of Arts in Social Research and Data Analysis
• A Master of Arts in Mathematics Education
• A Master of Science in Accounting
• A Master of Social Work
• Graduate certificate and certification programs in advocacy, business, education and technology for those who want to build out or update skills to enhance their careers.

For more information on all of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ University’s online graduate programs, visit montclair.edu/online. Learn more about ²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s rankings by visiting .

²Ñ´Ç²Ô³Ù³¦±ô²¹¾±°ù’s Online RN to BSN program will ensure you are valued and sought after in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape that is increasingly requiring a BSN degree. Gain the necessary critical thinking and leadership skills needed to provide care across all healthcare settings. A nursing degree will open a diverse career path with increased opportunities in highly demanded nursing specialties, such as pediatrics, oncology, and critical care.

Join faculty and staff from the School of Nursing and learn more about the RN to BSN program. The online format of the information sessions allows you to join from wherever you’re located!

Virtual Information Session Schedule

You can register for a session by clicking on the links below:

For questions related to the RN to BSN program, please contact us at:
973-655-3654 or nursing@montclair.edu.

Join faculty and staff from Montclair’s School of Nursing and learn about our graduate programs. The online nature of this event allows you to join us from wherever you’re located!

Open House offers you the following:

• The opportunity to connect with financial aid and admissions representatives.
• The ability to have your questions answered by faculty from your program of interest.
• Attendees will be eligible for a application fee waiver.

School of Nursing Event Schedule

You can register for one session for each time slot by clicking on the links below:

10:00 am (US/Eastern) Information Session

3:00 pm (US/Eastern) Information Session

The MSN (Online) Information Session is for registered nurses (RNs) who wish to obtain an MSN.

4:00 pm (US/Eastern) Information Session

The MSN (Pre-licensure) Information Session is for non-nursing college graduates who aspire to become registered nurses (RNs).

5:00 pm (US/Eastern) Information Session

This session is intended for U.S. citizens and residents who are interested in learning more about Financial Aid opportunities for funding their graduate education.