Nova Southeastern University Snapshot Card

27+

Online master’s programs

$780

Per credit hour

—

Public university ranking

R1

Public research university

Key policies

Institution type:

Private, not-for-profit

Regional accreditation:

SACSCOC

Admissions model:

Rolling

GRE/GMAT required:

Not required

Out-of-state premium:

Yes — may differ

Notable Programmatic Accreditations

  • AACSB
  • ACBSP
  • ACEN
  • CACREP
  • CCNE
Written By - Bob Litt
Last Updated: June 20, 2026
Nova Southeastern University Online Master’s Programs

Start Here

Quick Fit Summary: NSU is a strong match for working professionals seeking practitioner-focused, accredited online master’s programs in counseling, nursing, education, or healthcare administration — students who value rolling admissions, multiple start dates, and applied clinical training over low cost or flagship prestige.

Best For (Brief): CACREP-accredited counseling candidates, BSN-holding nurses seeking CCNE-accredited MSN tracks, Florida educators needing certification-aligned degrees, and professionals who can’t wait for a single annual start date.

Not a Best Fit (Brief): Budget-constrained students seeking the lowest per-credit rates, applicants who need AACSB business accreditation, students wanting fully online programs with zero in-person requirements (counseling and nursing programs have clinical components), or those prioritizing elite R1 institutional branding

Nova Southeastern University Online Master’s Programs — Snapshot

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a private, not-for-profit university headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and is classified as an R2 doctoral university with high research activity. NSU is one of the largest private universities in the United States by enrollment, with a significant portion of its student body studying online.

AttributeDetail
Institution TypePrivate, not-for-profit
LocationFort Lauderdale, FL
Regional AccreditationSACSCOC
Carnegie ClassificationR2 — Doctoral University, High Research Activity
Online Master’s Programs27+ across 8 subject areas
Admissions ModelRolling — no fixed application deadlines
Start DatesMultiple per year (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)
GRE/GMAT RequirementWaived for most programs
Key Programmatic AccreditationsCACREP (Counseling), CCNE (Nursing), IACBE (Business)

What distinguishes NSU in the online master’s landscape is its practitioner-focused orientation. The university has invested heavily in clinically-accredited programs — particularly in counseling and nursing — while maintaining a broad portfolio that spans education, business, healthcare administration, criminal justice, IT, and conflict resolution. Rolling admissions with four or more start windows per year means students are rarely waiting long to begin. This is an institution built for working professionals who need flexibility and applied credentials, not for students prioritizing research immersion or flagship-public prestige.

Quick Decision Guide

This guide summarizes what you need to know before diving into NSU’s full program portfolio. Use it as a starting filter — the detailed sections below provide the evidence behind each signal.

Cost Signal: Private-university pricing. Per-credit rates range from $780 (education, criminal justice) to $995 (business, IT). Total program costs range from roughly $28,000 to $55,000+ depending on the degree. Significantly more expensive than in-state public alternatives.

Learning Model Signal: Asynchronous coursework dominates most programs, but clinical programs (counseling, nursing, MHA) require supervised practicum, internship, or clinical hours that involve in-person components.

Admissions Signal: Rolling admissions across virtually all programs. No GRE or GMAT required for most programs. Some programs (MSN) require specific undergraduate credentials (BSN). The admissions bar is accessible, not selective.

Flexibility Signal: Four or more start dates per year for most programs. Students can begin in Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer terms. This is one of NSU’s clearest advantages over institutions with single fall-cohort models.

Main Tradeoff: NSU offers broad programmatic accreditation and practitioner depth at private-university cost. You’re paying more per credit than you would at a public university, but you’re getting CACREP, CCNE, and rolling-start flexibility that many publics don’t match. The tradeoff is cost versus clinical credential quality and scheduling convenience.

What Nova Southeastern University Is Known For

NSU’s reputation in online master’s education is built on a specific institutional identity: clinically-accredited professional programs, practitioner training, and accessibility for working adults. This isn’t a university known for research prestige or selective admissions. It’s known for producing licensed counselors, nurse practitioners, school administrators, and healthcare managers — and for making the path to those credentials workable for people with full-time jobs.

The university’s counseling programs are among its strongest assets. Both the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the MS in School Counseling carry CACREP accreditation — the gold-standard programmatic accreditation for counseling programs in the United States. CACREP accreditation matters for licensure portability across states and is increasingly required by employers and insurance panels. Many online programs lack this credential; NSU’s counseling programs have it.

Nursing is the other flagship area. All five MSN tracks — Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, and Executive Nurse Leadership — are accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education). The FNP and PMHNP tracks prepare graduates for national board certification in two of the highest-demand advanced practice nursing roles.

Beyond healthcare and counseling, NSU maintains an unusually deep education portfolio (six distinct master’s programs), a business school with IACBE accreditation and an MBA offering ten concentrations, and a genuinely distinctive Conflict Analysis and Resolution program that has few equivalents in online master’s education. The university also operates on a rolling admissions model with multiple annual start dates — a structural advantage for students who need to begin on their own timeline rather than waiting for a single fall deadline.

NSU’s programmatic accreditation profile is its most defensible claim. Where it invests in accreditation (CACREP, CCNE), it delivers credentials that carry real professional weight. Where it doesn’t (AACSB for business), students should understand the tradeoff clearly.

Online Master’s Programs at Nova Southeastern University by Subject

NSU offers more than 27 online master’s programs spanning eight subject areas. The table below provides structured data for every known online master’s program, grouped by subject. Per-credit tuition varies by college — education and criminal justice programs run $780/credit, psychology and healthcare programs $920/credit, and business and IT programs $995/credit. Clinical programs in counseling, nursing, and healthcare administration require in-person practicum or clinical hours.

ProgramDegreeSubjectCredits$/CreditEst. TotalConcentrationsAccreditationIn-Person?Notes
Master of Business AdministrationMBABusiness42$995$41,790Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Real Estate Development, Supply Chain Management, Sport Revenue Generation, Process Improvement, HRM, LeadershipIACBENoGMAT/GRE waived
Master of AccountingMSBusiness30$995$29,850—IACBENoCPA exam prep pathway
MS in ManagementMSBusiness36$995$35,820Leadership, HRM, Supply Chain ManagementIACBENo—
MS in Human Resource ManagementMSBusiness36$995$35,820—IACBENoSHRM-aligned
MS in Real Estate DevelopmentMSBusiness36$995$35,820——No—
Master of Science in EducationMEdEducation36$780$28,080Curriculum & Teaching, Environmental Ed, Innovative Learning & Teaching—No—
MS in Instructional Design & TechnologyMSEducation36$780$28,080——No—
MS in Educational LeadershipMSEducation36$780$28,080——NoFL principal cert pathway
MS in Reading EducationMSEducation36$780$28,080——No—
MS in Exceptional Student EducationMSEducation36$780$28,080Autism Spectrum Disorders, Teaching & Learning—No—
MS in Higher Education AdministrationMSEducation36$780$28,080——No—
MS in Clinical Mental Health CounselingMSPsychology60$920$55,200—CACREPYesPracticum + internship required
MS in School CounselingMSPsychology60$920$55,200—CACREPYesPracticum + internship required
MS in General PsychologyMSPsychology36$920$33,120——NoNon-clinical; no licensure
MS in Forensic PsychologyMSPsychology36$920$33,120——No—
MS in Criminal JusticeMSCriminal Justice36$780$28,080Behavioral Science, Leadership & Management—No—
Master of Health AdministrationMHAHealthcare57$920$52,440——YesPracticum/culminating project
MS in Health InformaticsMSHealthcare36$920$33,120——No—
MSN — Family Nurse PractitionerMSNNursing49$795$38,955—CCNEYesBSN required; clinical hours
MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health NPMSNNursing49$795$38,955—CCNEYesBSN required; clinical hours
MSN — Nursing EducationMSNNursing39$795$31,005—CCNEYesClinical practicum
MSN — Nursing InformaticsMSNNursing39$795$31,005—CCNEYesPracticum required
MSN — Executive Nurse LeadershipMSNNursing39$795$31,005—CCNEYesPracticum required
MS in Information TechnologyMSIT & Data36$995$35,820Software Engineering, Info Security, Database Management—No—
MS in Cybersecurity ManagementMSCybersecurity36$995$35,820——NoManagement focus, not technical
MS in Conflict Analysis & ResolutionMSPublic Admin36$920$33,120——NoHallmark NSU discipline
MS in National Security AffairsMSPublic Admin36$920$33,120——No—

NSU’s business portfolio is anchored by an MBA with ten concentration options — a level of specialization breadth that exceeds many online MBA programs. The MBA at 42 credits and roughly $41,800 total sits in a mid-to-upper cost range for online MBAs, and no GMAT or GRE is required.

The critical accreditation detail: NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship holds IACBE accreditation, not AACSB. IACBE is a legitimate programmatic accreditor, but AACSB is widely considered the more prestigious standard — particularly for students who may pursue doctoral studies or who work in industries where employers explicitly screen for AACSB credentials. For most working professionals seeking a career-advancement MBA, IACBE accreditation is sufficient. For candidates targeting elite consulting, investment banking, or PhD admissions, it may not carry the same weight.

Beyond the MBA, the Master of Accounting (30 credits, CPA exam prep pathway), MS in Management, MS in Human Resource Management (SHRM-aligned), and MS in Real Estate Development round out a solid professional portfolio. The real estate development degree is unusual in online master’s programs and may appeal to professionals in South Florida’s active real estate market.

How Nova Southeastern University Compares

NSU occupies a specific position in the online master’s landscape: a large private university with strong programmatic accreditations and practitioner-focused programs, but at a cost premium over public alternatives and without the flagship prestige of R1 research institutions. The comparison below positions NSU against four institutions that prospective students commonly evaluate alongside it — two Florida-based peers and two national-scale online universities.

DimensionNova Southeastern UniversityUniversity of FloridaFlorida International UniversityLiberty UniversitySouthern New Hampshire University
Institution TypePrivate, R2Public, R1Public, R1Private, nonprofit (faith-based)Private, nonprofit
Tuition Range (per credit)$780–$995~$500–$775 (in-state)~$400–$670 (in-state)~$565–$615~$627
Admissions ModelRollingDeadline-based, selectiveDeadline-based, moderately selectiveRollingRolling
Program Breadth (online master’s)27+ programs~30+ programs~25+ programs100+ programs100+ programs
Key Programmatic AccreditationsCACREP, CCNE, IACBEAACSB, CACREP, CCNEAACSB, CCNECACREP, ACBSPACBSP
Clinical/Practicum ProgramsYes (counseling, nursing, MHA)Yes (select programs)Yes (select programs)Yes (counseling)Limited
Start-Date Flexibility4+ starts/year2–3 starts/year2–3 starts/year8 starts/year6 starts/year
GRE/GMAT PolicyWaived for most programsRequired for some programsRequired for some programsNot requiredNot required

Key takeaways from this comparison:

  • The pattern is clear. If you prioritize cost, UF and FIU offer substantially lower per-credit rates — especially at in-state tuition — with stronger institutional prestige and AACSB-accredited business programs. If you need maximum program volume at the lowest price point, Liberty and SNHU offer hundreds of online programs at lower per-credit rates, though typically without NSU’s level of clinical programmatic accreditation.
  • NSU’s competitive advantage centers on a specific intersection: CACREP-accredited counseling + CCNE-accredited nursing + rolling admissions + multiple annual start dates + no GRE/GMAT requirements. No single competitor in this table matches that exact combination. Students who need that particular bundle of features — especially the clinical accreditations — may find NSU’s cost premium justified. Students who don’t need those specific accreditations can likely find comparable programs at lower cost.

Best For

NSU’s model delivers the clearest value for specific student profiles. If you see yourself in one of these categories, NSU deserves serious consideration:

  • Working professionals seeking CACREP-accredited counseling programs. If you need a Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling degree that carries CACREP accreditation — and you want rolling admissions with no GRE — NSU is one of the strongest options available online. This accreditation directly affects licensure portability and employer recognition.
  • BSN-holding nurses seeking CCNE-accredited MSN tracks. NSU offers five distinct MSN pathways including FNP and PMHNP — both high-demand, high-salary credentials. CCNE accreditation and multiple annual start dates make this accessible for nurses who can’t pause their careers for a fixed-cohort program.
  • Florida-based educators needing master’s-level credentials with certification pathways. The educational leadership program’s Florida principal certification pathway, combined with competitive education tuition at $780/credit, makes NSU a practical choice for in-state teachers and administrators.
  • Students who need to start soon — not next fall. NSU’s four-plus annual start windows eliminate the waiting problem that plagues many university programs. If timing is a deciding factor, this is a meaningful structural advantage.
  • Students seeking niche programs like Conflict Analysis and Resolution or Forensic Psychology. These programs have few online equivalents elsewhere. If your career path aligns with one of NSU’s distinctive offerings, the university delivers something genuinely hard to replicate.

Not a Best Fit For

NSU is not the right institution for every student. If any of the following describe your priorities, you should evaluate alternatives seriously:

Students seeking the lowest possible per-credit cost. NSU’s private-university pricing ranges from $780 to $995 per credit. Public alternatives like University of Florida or Florida International University offer in-state rates that are meaningfully lower, sometimes by hundreds of dollars per credit. For students without specific need for NSU’s programmatic accreditations, the cost differential is hard to justify.

Students who need AACSB-accredited business programs. NSU’s business programs carry IACBE accreditation, not AACSB. For most career-advancement purposes, IACBE is sufficient — but some employers, doctoral programs, and international contexts specifically require or prefer AACSB. If that credential matters to your goals, NSU’s business school won’t meet the standard.

Students prioritizing flagship-public prestige or R1 research credentials. NSU is classified R2, not R1, and does not carry the same institutional brand recognition as state flagship universities. If you’re pursuing a master’s degree partly for the weight of the institutional name — or if you’re targeting research-intensive doctoral pathways — you may want a different tier of institution.

Students who need a fully online experience with zero in-person requirements. NSU’s counseling, nursing, and MHA programs all require practicum, clinical, or residency hours. These are legitimate professional training requirements, not arbitrary hurdles — but if you cannot complete any in-person components, you’ll need to limit your selection to NSU’s non-clinical programs or look elsewhere.

Students seeking highly technical STEM or engineering master’s programs. NSU’s online portfolio is entirely practitioner and professionally oriented. There are no online master’s programs in engineering, physics, mathematics, or laboratory sciences. Students with those needs should consider institutions like Purdue University or Arizona State University with established online STEM portfolios.

These four programs represent NSU’s distinctive value most clearly — the areas where the university’s practitioner-focused model delivers something that’s genuinely difficult to find elsewhere at the same level of accreditation and flexibility.

This 60-credit program is NSU’s signature offering and one of the most sought-after CACREP-accredited counseling programs available primarily online. It prepares graduates for licensure as professional counselors and includes the supervised practicum and internship hours that licensure requires. The CACREP credential gives graduates an advantage in state-to-state licensure portability and is increasingly viewed as a baseline requirement by employers and insurance panels. Rolling admissions and no GRE requirement lower the entry barriers.

Admissions Snapshot

NSU operates on a rolling admissions model for virtually all online master’s programs. There are no fixed application deadlines — students can apply and begin during any open term. Most programs offer four or more start dates per year across Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms.

Admissions RequirementDetail
Application DeadlinesRolling — no fixed deadlines
GRE/GMATNot required for most programs
Minimum GPAGenerally 3.0 (program-specific exceptions may apply)
Application ComponentsOnline application, official transcripts, personal statement (varies by program), resume/CV
Start Dates4+ per year (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer)
Decision TimelineTypically within 2–4 weeks of complete application
  • Program-Specific Prerequisites: Some programs have additional entry requirements that students should verify before applying. All MSN programs require a BSN from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program. The counseling programs may require prerequisite coursework in psychology or human services. The MHA program may have healthcare experience preferences. Education programs generally require a teaching certificate or classroom experience, though requirements vary by specialization.
  • NSU’s admissions approach is designed to be accessible. The combination of rolling admissions, GRE/GMAT waivers, and multiple start dates means that qualified applicants face fewer structural barriers than they would at institutions with fixed deadlines and standardized test requirements. The tradeoff is that NSU’s admissions selectivity is lower than flagship publics — which is a feature for students who need accessible entry, and a consideration for students who equate selectivity with program quality.

Tuition and Cost Overview

NSU is a private university, and its tuition reflects that. Per-credit rates vary by college and program area, creating a meaningful cost range across the portfolio. The table below breaks down tuition by program area.

Program AreaPer-Credit RateTypical Credit RangeEstimated Total Cost Range
Education$78036 credits$28,080
Criminal Justice$78036 credits$28,080
Business (MBA, MS programs)$99530–42 credits$29,850–$41,790
Information Technology & Cybersecurity$99536 credits$35,820
Psychology (non-clinical)$92036 credits$33,120
Counseling (CACREP clinical)$92060 credits$55,200
Healthcare Administration$92036–57 credits$33,120–$52,440
Nursing (MSN tracks)$79539–49 credits$31,005–$38,955
Conflict Resolution / National Security$92036 credits$33,120

The cost picture is straightforward: NSU’s most affordable programs (education, criminal justice) start around $28,000 total, while the most expensive clinical programs (counseling, MHA) can exceed $55,000. For context, comparable in-state public programs at University of Florida or Florida International University typically cost $15,000–$30,000 for the same degree types. Students from outside Florida comparing private options might also consider pricing at institutions like Northeastern University (generally higher) or Southern New Hampshire University (generally lower per credit).

NSU offers institutional scholarships, federal financial aid (FAFSA-eligible), and employer tuition reimbursement processing. Military and veteran benefits including Yellow Ribbon Program participation are available. Students should contact NSU’s financial aid office directly for current scholarship availability, as institutional aid can meaningfully reduce the effective cost — particularly for education and nursing programs where workforce-shortage scholarships are sometimes available.

The honest assessment: if you don’t specifically need NSU’s programmatic accreditations (CACREP, CCNE) or its niche programs, you can likely find comparable online master’s degrees at lower total cost through public universities. If you do need those credentials and value rolling-start flexibility, the premium may be worth paying. Browse the most affordable online master’s programs ranking for a broader cost comparison.

Visit Nova Southeastern University’s official online programs page

These OMC rankings are directly relevant to prospective NSU students evaluating how the university’s programs stack up in broader context:

  • Best Online Master’s Programs — See how NSU’s portfolio compares against the most highly-rated online master’s programs across all subject areas.
  • Most Affordable Online Master’s Programs — NSU’s private-university pricing means it won’t lead on cost, but this ranking helps you benchmark what “affordable” looks like and whether the premium is justified for your situation.
  • Fastest Online Master’s Programs — Several NSU programs can be completed in 15–18 months. This ranking provides context for how that compares nationally.
  • Accredited Online Master’s Programs — Accreditation is central to NSU’s value proposition. This ranking explains what different levels of accreditation mean and why they matter.
  • Best Online MBA Programs — Useful context for evaluating NSU’s IACBE-accredited MBA against AACSB-accredited competitors and understanding where different accreditation standards fit in the MBA landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Yes. NSU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which is the standard accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for institutions in the southeastern United States. Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted form of institutional accreditation and is generally required for credit transfer, federal financial aid eligibility, and employer recognition of graduate degrees.