Detroit Mercy's online graduate nursing program receives national distinction for third-straight year

January 31, 2022

University of Detroit Mercy’s online graduate nursing program was ranked No. 103 nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs, marking the third-straight year the University was included in the rankings.

The 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings for Best Online Programs were released Jan. 25.

“A strategic focus on the implementation of online program delivery has provided us the opportunity to extend our reach and offer high-quality nursing programs across the country,” said Janet Baiardi, interim dean of the College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing.

Detroit Mercy earned the third-best mark of online graduate nursing programs in the state and was one of four institutions from Michigan included in the 2022 rankings. It was the only private institution from the state included in the rankings.

The University has been included in the top 130 among best online graduate in nursing programs in the past three years. Detroit Mercy has improved all three years, earning a No. 130 ranking in 2020 and No. 115 in 2021 from U.S. News & World Report.

“We ensure that regardless of in-person or online, the courses are the same and students are held to the same standards,” said Mitzi Saunders, professor and coordinator of the graduate Clinical Nurse Specialist program. “We are intentional in our outreach using a variety of strategies to make sure every online student feels connected to the University and the other students.”

The College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing offer three 100% online graduate nursing specialties: Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS), Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) and Health Systems Management (HSM).

It’s also the second ranking for the College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing in the 2021-22 school year. The undergraduate nursing program earned a spot in the top 150 nationally by U.S. News & World Report in September 2021, receiving a No. 148 rank in the Nursing category of 2022 “Best Colleges” rankings.

Learn more about Detroit Mercy’s McAuley School of Nursing by visiting .

For more on the U.S. News & World Report best online graduate in nursing programs rankings, visit .