The University of Southern California and 2U, Inc. to Launch New Online Nursing Degree Program

LANDOVER, Md. and LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Southern California (USC) and 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU) today announced plans to develop an online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) for aspiring family nurse practitioners (FNPs). Program graduates will help meet the increasing nationwide demand for advanced practice nurses in primary care settings.

The MSN program, which will be called Nursing@USC, has a projected class start in fall 2016 and will be offered through the USC School of Social Work's newly created Department of Nursing. Through 2U's state-of-the art learning management system, the online program will provide registered nurses across the country the opportunity to participate in live, face-to-face classes with fellow students and USC faculty. Each student also will engage in multiple clinical rotations in a variety of health care settings to gain experience assessing, diagnosing and managing health problems across the patient lifespan. These clinical rotations will be selected and supervised by USC faculty.

The USC School of Social Work's Department of Nursing aims to be a leader in addressing health care needs in the context of society, combining the nursing profession's traditional scientific foundation, holistic approach and commitment to competent care with the wide-ranging vision and expertise of social work. These unique capabilities will position students to apply new understanding of the biological, socioeconomic, psychosocial, behavioral and social factors that influence health to practical interventions on behalf of patients, particularly those in vulnerable populations.

"The USC Department of Nursing will provide students with an unmatched and exceptional educational experience through an approach to nurse practitioner training that emphasizes nursing's core traditions while infusing dynamic new fluency and consideration for the social influences on patient health," said Dean Marilyn Flynn.

The FNP curriculum will go through internal review and then be submitted for accreditation by both the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

For more information, visit nursing.usc.edu.

About The University of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California's School of Social Work (www.usc.edu/socialwork) ranks among the nation's top social work graduate programs. A recognized leader in academic innovation, experiential learning, online education and translational research, the school prepares students for leadership roles in public and private organizations that serve individuals, families and communities in need. USC is dedicated to reinventing the profession, furthering knowledge and changing social institutions locally, nationally and globally. The school has made innovation a signature feature of its academic and research enterprise, leveraging technology in social work education, clinical practice, research and community development, as evidenced through the creation of an advanced online platform for distance learning, virtual humans for graduate-level teaching, and a university-based clinic offering mental health services over the Internet.

About 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU) 2U partners with leading colleges and universities to deliver the world's best online degree programs so students everywhere can reach their full potential. Our Platform, a fusion of cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services, provides schools with the comprehensive operating infrastructure they need to attract, enroll, educate, support and graduate students globally. Blending live face-to-face classes, dynamic course content and real-world learning experiences, 2U's No Back Row® approach ensures that every qualified student can experience the highest quality university education for the most successful outcome. Learn more at 2U.com.

Media Contacts: Jemila Woodson, (301) 892-4419, [email protected] Cindy Monticue, (213) 740-2021, [email protected]

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SOURCE 2U