Young Nursing Graduate Program Cracks National Rankings for First Time

Young Nursing Graduate Program Cracks National Rankings for First Time

Magazine cover, U.S. News and World Report - 2004 Edition, America's Best Graduate Schools For the first time in its young history, The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing graduate program has been nationally ranked.

"Our graduate program is only in its fourth year, and we're competing with graduate programs that are 40-, 50- and 60-years old," said Dr. Sara Barger, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. "We're pleased with the progress that has been made, and we believe more progress and success lie ahead."

The program was tied for 115th from among the 258 programs ranked recently by U.S. News and World Report. Since 2000, the Capstone College of Nursing has offered a master of science degree in nursing through an innovative case management program for rural populations. It also offers dual degrees in conjunction with UA's Manderson Graduate School of Business and UA's Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. Dr. Marietta Stanton, professor of nursing, is the graduate program's coordinator.

In addition, for the registered nurse who holds an associate degree in nursing and meets the required admission criteria, two tracks leading to advanced degrees are available. One track leads to a bachelor's in nursing, while an advanced track leads to a bachelor's and master's in nursing in two years. The Capstone College of Nursing graduate program holds unconditional accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Graduates of the program may sit for a number of case management certification exams with the appropriate clinical experience requirements. Students may choose to attend on a part-time or full-time basis, and the Master of Science in Nursing program may be completed fully via distance learning.

The Capstone College of Nursing, founded in 1976, graduates approximately 100 nurses a year from its baccalaureate program. Partnerships with many of Alabama's community colleges make obtaining a bachelor's or a master's degree in nursing a realistic goal for registered nurses. With more than 600 students and 28 faculty, the College supplies RNs and nurse case managers to many Alabama health care facilities and others throughout the United States.

The College also runs a primary care clinic in rural Alabama to provide care for rural patients and rural learning experiences for students.