Seton Hall University’s Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) program has been ranked as the best online master’s in nursing program in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report for 2026. The program placed 35th out of 160 eligible programs nationwide, positioning it within the top 17 percent nationally and third among Catholic colleges and universities.
“We are proud that the College of Nursing’s commitment to academic excellence and innovative online learning continues to earn national recognition,” said College of Nursing Interim Dean and Associate Professor Kristi Stinson, Ph.D., R.N., APN, PNAP. Stinson also noted the increasing demand for highly skilled nurse practitioners due to a projected nursing shortage in the coming decade.
Seton Hall offers six M.S.N. programs with coursework delivered entirely online and asynchronously. This format is designed to accommodate working nurses seeking career advancement. Carlos Guevara, a 2025 graduate of the M.S.N. in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, commented on this flexibility: “A lot of my coworkers in other graduate programs attended classes in person, so they had to arrange days off from their work schedules. Seton Hall’s online format made it so much easier for me to coordinate work and school.”
The university also requires students to participate in three in-person immersions at its Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in Nutley, New Jersey. These sessions include advanced skills labs and simulations intended to prepare students for clinical training rotations at healthcare facilities.
Kendra Pierre, R.N., who is enrolled in Seton Hall’s M.S.N. in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, recently took part in a neurological simulation at the IHS Simulation Center with other nurse practitioner and medical students. Pierre stated: “This structured exposure to critical situations not only strengthens clinical reasoning and procedural skills but also promotes interdisciplinary communication and confidence in high-acuity settings.”
In 2023, Seton Hall’s College of Nursing partnered with the School of Health and Medical Sciences to secure a $1.14 million federal grant aimed at upgrading technology at its Simulation Center. These improvements are intended to enhance clinical preparation for all graduate nursing and health professions students.
Additionally, Seton Hall has expanded hands-on training opportunities through community partnerships. A recent grant from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey will support collaboration between the College of Nursing and North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) in Newark. This partnership will provide more clinical placements for psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner students by funding a full-time preceptor who will mentor students while delivering care to underserved populations.
For more information about Seton Hall’s College of Nursing, visit their website.
