Troy online degrees rank among top 100

Troy University had multiple online programs ranked in the top 100 by U.S. News & World Report in its 2026 Best Online Degree Programs, including the master’s in nursing, bachelor's in psychology, master’s in criminal justice and master of business administration.  

Troy’s master’s in nursing program ranked 23rd in Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs for Veterans. This includes two distinct master's in nursing programs: family nurse practitioner (FNP) and healthcare informatics and nursing leadership (HINL). 

“The FNP curriculum ensures students are well-prepared to become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses and pass both national FNP certification exams,” said MSN Coordinator Dr. Kelli Whitted. “The HINL curriculum ensures students are well-prepared to assume positions of nursing leadership or nursing informatics. 

“The latest job placement rate for both the FNP and the HINL track was 100 percent for both programs.” 

According to Whitted, students are paired with faculty advisors at their campus and are known by their advisor on a more personal level. The FNP program has three clinical preceptorships and an FNP internship totaling 705 clinical hours. 

The MSN program exceeded accreditation standards last year, with a certification pass rate of 96 percent, a program completion rate of 76 percent and a 100 percent job placement rate. 

Additionally, the online bachelor’s program in psychology ranked 32nd nationally.  

According to the Department of Psychology Chair Dr. Heidi Beattie, this degree has a variety of specializations, including developmental psychology, counseling, applied behavioranalysis, experimental psychology, cognitive psychology, educational psychology, industrial and organizational psychology and more. 

“Our program offers students a strong academic foundation through a curriculum that includes both theoretical knowledge and applied practices that are crucial for graduate study and professional work,” Beattie said. “Our hands-on research experience opportunities allow students to learn research-based skills they can apply to answer theoretical questions across a wide variety of psychology subfields. 

“The variety of elective courses allows students to build a strong theoretical background in specialized areas.” 

According to Beattie, the department creates networking opportunities through the Psychology Club and the Applied Behavior Analysis Club, both open to all Troy students, as well as the Psi Chi honor society. Furthermore, the department’s faculty members are active in research, with opportunities for students to assist or develop their own research studies.  

“Each spring, the department, along with the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, hosts a research conference where both faculty and students can share their work,” Beattie said. “In addition, students may complete a literature review or research report and submit it to Troy University’s Student Research and Creative Works Showcase.” 

The Master’s in Criminal Justice Program ranked 54th nationally.  

According to Dr. Halil Akbas, graduate director of the department of anthropology, sociology and criminology, this program is flexible and designed for the working student.

Courses are offered in nine-week terms, five times a year, allowing students to complete the program in as little as one year.  

“We offer a master’s in criminal justice with a concentration in security studies,” Akbas said. “Students may focus on homeland security, intelligence and transnational crime. 

“Our full-time and adjunct faculty members have diverse backgrounds in criminal justice, such as law enforcement, corrections and courts. Beyond classroom instruction, our program offers internship opportunities where students can earn up to six credit hours.” 

The master of business administration (MBA) ranked  88th for programs for veterans, with the online bachelor’s in business also being recognized. 

“Troy University’s business programs, at both undergraduate and graduate levels, are offered through the Sorrell College of Business, which holds the [Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business] (AACSB) accreditation,” said MBA Program Director Dr. Ying Schwarte. “Fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide achieve this distinction, indicating rigorous academic standards and continuous improvement.” 

According to Schwarte, AACSB is a measure of the quality of Troy’s MBA program, requiring evidence of student learning outcomes, strategic curriculum assessment and continuous improvement linked to employer expectations and industry standards. 

“Our MBA programs offer flexible and diverse options, including a wide range of concentrations — from management, human resource management, cybersecurity management and artificial intelligence to health services and international relations — designed to build both strategic and advanced functional expertise,” Schwarte said.  

The program can be completed full-time in one year or part-time in 18 to 24 months, where students gain hands-on experience through internships, capstone projects, case studies, field trips and networking. 

The strength of Troy’s online degree programs, both undergraduate and graduate levels, is continuously growing. For more information about online degree programs, visit www.troy.edu/online.