Baylor University's LHSON Partners with Keypath to Expand Online Access to Graduate-Level Nursing Programs
Baylor University, a nationally and globally ranked university, has announced a partnership with Keypath Education to advance its graduate-level online programming, beginning with nursing education.
Nursing master’s degrees grew by 42 percent over the past five years and nurse practitioner degrees grew by 75 percent, according to The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Additionally, a Nurse Practitioner is rated the third best job in the nation by U.S. News & World Report due to positive employment growth, high salaries and low unemployment. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that nurse practitioner jobs will grow by 36 percent over the next decade.
To meet market demand, Keypath and the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) will optimize and expand the existing online Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Leadership and Innovation Program, and offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) programs with tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner (F.N.P.), Nurse-Midwifery (N.M.) and Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (N.N.P.) fully online for the first time.
The mission of the LHSON has long been “to prepare baccalaureate and graduate-level nurses, within a Christian community, for professional practice, healthcare leadership and worldwide service.” Now, through a partnership with Keypath Education, the nursing school’s high-quality programs will be available to more nursing students around the country, extending the reach of its mission.
“Our nursing programs are already nationally ranked, but we know they have even more to offer, and to more students,” said Shelley F. Conroy, Ed.D., M.S., R.N., C.N.E., dean of Baylor’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing. “With the experience and knowledge of Keypath propelling them forward, we expect these programs will reach new students, help them achieve greatness in their professions and help the School better fulfill its mission.”
Recruitment for these new online programs will launch in the spring of 2018, and classes will begin on Aug. 20, 2018. Keypath will work as an extension of the university’s team to attract and enroll the best-fit students for each program through best-in-class higher education marketing and recruitment, then provide support to students through graduation. Keypath’s contribution to the partnership also will include in-depth market research and program development, as well as capital investment.
“We are honored to partner with Baylor University in alignment of our joint missions. Keypath’s drive to extend access to high-quality education pairs perfectly with Baylor’s drive to educate the next generation of nurse leaders,” said Steve Fireng, global chief executive officer at Keypath. “We look forward to a long-term partnership resulting in strong growth at the university and more Baylor-educated medical professionals throughout the country.”
The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing was established in 1909 and is located on the Baylor University Medical Center campus in Dallas. The school was featured in U.S. News & World Report for the 2019 Best Graduate Schools, ranking its doctor of nursing practice (D.N.P.) program No. 54 among the top U.S. nursing schools, its master of science in nursing (M.S.N.) program at No. 72 and its Nurse-Midwifery program No. 10 under the health disciplines category. In addition, Baylor’s online master’s degree program in nursing leadership and innovation was ranked No. 39 by U.S. News among online nursing programs. The Baccalaureate, Master’s and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. All Baylor baccalaureate nursing graduates are qualified to take the National Certification Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses(TM) (NCLEX) in any state.
For more information about the partnership, contact Whitney Cortner, director of marketing and communications for the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing, 214-820-4176 or Whitney_Cortner@baylor.edu. For more information about Keypath or online program management services, please contact us here.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more at baylor.edu.