Ball State University's online nursing master's program is the second-largest in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. The magazine reported the fall 2003 enrollment in Ball State's program was larger than all others except the University of Phoenix. There are currently 254 students working toward their nursing master's degrees through Ball State's online program.

U.S. News said it contacted about 1,000 institutions to create a list of 332 online graduate programs in nursing and other disciplines.

Marilyn Ryan, professor of nursing and associate director of the graduate program, says she's proud of the program's graduates and their accomplishments.

"The School of Nursing has been a pioneer in the area of online education, and our graduates are helping to spread the word about the quality and convenience of this program," she said. "Our faculty have developed a master's program that reaches out to nurses who are managing households, living in rural communities or working full time."

One such student is Capt. Michelle Stewmon, an active duty army nurse currently stationed in Mosul, Iraq. Stewmon says Ball State has given her the flexibility she needs as she works toward a master's degree as a family nurse practitioner.

"I found Ball State while searching the Internet for a graduate nursing program that was conducive to active duty military life," she said. "I was able to use a military hospital in Germany for my clinical work and continue my classes when I deployed to Iraq. The faculty and staff were flexible and supportive during my many transitions in the past three years."

Marleen Miller is a nurse in the small town of Port Angeles, Wash. Miller is taking online nursing courses through Ball State toward a postgraduate certificate as an adult nurse practitioner.

"I live in an area that is sparsely populated and uses many health grants, so I know that I can help here," she said. "Ball State's online nursing master's program has allowed me to stay where I'm needed as I improve my education. It has been a great experience for me."

Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora says the university's distance education program allows students to enroll from anywhere in the world. In addition to Stewmon and Miller, the nursing program has accepted students from as far away as Germany and Japan.

"The growth of the online nursing master's program is reflective of Ball State's general expertise in distance education," Gora said. "In fact, our recent reaccreditation report highlighted distance education as one of the university's strengths."

As the program attracts more nurses, it continues to address a critical need for nursing administrators, educators and practitioners, Ryan said. Enrollment in the program has increased by 55 percent since its establishment in 1997 with 163 students.

Ball State also offers online master's degrees in career and technical education, physical education and technology education.

Ball State's nursing master's program is offered completely online and can be pursued through part-time study. Students have up to six years to complete a degree. For more information about the program call (765) 285-5768, go to the program Web site, or contact Marilyn Ryan.