Data Spotlight: Distance Education in Master's Nursing Programs Wednesday, April 14, 2021 According to the National Center for Education Statistics, distance education (DE) is on the rise in US higher education. DE also has been on the rise within post-entry master’s nursing programs, according to AACN annual survey data. We define distance education as programs offering 51% or more of the program curricula online. This survey data, presented in Table 1, indicates that from 2015 to 2019, the number of US schools reporting less than 51% or 51% or greater of DE for their post-entry master’s nursing programs. Additionally, in Figure 1, the South and the Midwest regions both exceeded the national average for post-entry master’s schools offering >51% of DE programs. The largest point difference across the regions for schools reporting >51% DE was in the Midwest with a 14.9-point difference in the percentages from 2015 to 2019. Overall, all regions are showing a steady increase in programs offering >51% of DE. Figure 2 provides evidence that over the past 5 years there has been an increasing proportion of post-entry master’s nursing students enrolling in programs that are > 51% DE. This increase in DE enrollment mirrors the upward trend in the number of DE programs at the post-entry master’s level. The demand for DE has continued to increase, and nursing has embraced DE with the expansion of programs offered online. Continued growth in distance education can contribute to improved access to education, increased flexibility to students, and the overall advancement of nursing education. Table 1. Post-Entry Master’s Programs Reporting Percentage of Distance Education, 2015 to 2019 Regions 2015 Program Counts 2016 Program Counts 2017 Program Counts 2018 Program Counts 2019 Program Counts <51% ≥51% <51% ≥51% <51% ≥51% <51% ≥51% <51% ≥51% National 272 242 293 268 275 290 240 316 228 348 Midwest 68 75 74 82 68 88 59 92 50 103 South 75 95 81 106 72 121 61 127 61 135 West 40 34 46 38 44 38 36 46 35 50 North Atlantic 89 38 92 42 91 43 84 51 82 60 Figure 1. Regional Percentage of Post-Entry Master’s Nursing Programs with >51% Distance Education Figure 2. Students Enrolled in Post-Entry Master’s Programs by Percentage of Distance Education, 2015-2019 *Due to the variability in responses and potential COVID-19 effects, 2020 data is not included. For more information on AACN’s position on distance education, visit: https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/Position-Statements-White-Papers/Distance-Education If you have any suggestions for future Data Spotlight topics, please email them to datarequest@aacnnursing.org. Categories: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Membership Announcements, Newsletter, Policy & Advocacy, Research & Data, Data Spotlights, Rounds with Leadership