Connecticut colleges score on a new U.S. News & World Report ranking of top online degree programs — but not that high.
The University of Connecticut has the highest showing in a three-way tie for sixth place in 2018 among non-MBA business online degree programs along with Auburn University and Florida State.
In 2017, UConn was in fourth place, tied with Villanova — which in 2018 shot up to first place. In that same category, Quinnipiac University in Hamden ranked 35 and Post University in Waterbury ranked 83.
The nationwide rankings released Tuesday morning also looked at online programs in nursing, information technology, MBA’s, education, criminal justice, engineering and bachelor’s degree programs.
It shows that the popularity of online programs is on the rise. This year’s edition of the report includes nearly 1,500 distance education programs - up from about 1,300 last year. Of programs ranked by the publication, 58 percent saw an increase in enrollment from 2017 to 2018, officials at the publication said.
More than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015.
For online bachelor’s programs, Sacred Heart University in Fairfield ranked 41, University of Bridgeport ranked 60 and Post ranked 165.
For online nursing programs, Sacred Heart ranked highest in the state at 65 and UConn, 72.
Sacred Heart improved its ranking for both the bachelor’s and nursing categories, the only categories where it offers online programs, officials there said.
“Taking classes online is the best option for many working adults. Because of that, we made the decision to offer many of our nursing programs online,” said Mary Alice Donius, dean of SHU’s College of Nursing. “I believe what sets Sacred Heart apart is that all our online programs provide students with individual attention from dedicated full-time faculty members.”
For criminal justice, the University of New Haven tied for 31st. For online MBA’s Quinnipiac ranked 61, UB ranked 116, Post 139 and University of Hartford, 196.
And for information technology, UB made the second tier ranking, putting it somewhere between 40 and 52 nationwide. It also ranked within the second tier of engineering online programs in the country.
UB officials say there were the first university in Connecticut to offer online classes when in 1997 the school launched distance-learning courses in human nutrition.
“As a pioneer in online education, UB is proud to be recognized,” UB Deputy Provost Aaron Perkus said. “Personalized attention to distance-learners has also been invaluable as the University enhances the online curriculum with classes and professional degrees that students are looking for, such as the online MBA program.”
Online classes allow students to “attend” from thousands of miles away. Making those students feel part of the campus community, helps them score points in the U.S. News rankings.
So to do faculty credentials, graduation rates, time needed to complete programs, employment opportunities and comparisons to conventional on-campus programs.
“The top programs not only demonstrate strong academics but also create learning environments that are particularly well-suited to remote students,” Anita Narayan, managing editor of Education at U.S. News, said.
The publication looked at degree-granting programs housed at regionally accredited institutions that offer 100 percent online classes needed to complete the degree.
Programs that routinely combine courses in brick-and-mortar classrooms with online education are not included.
Ohio State University - Columbus earns the No. 1 spot among Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for the first time.
Columbia University in New York moved up two spots to take the No. 1 rank in engineering.
Source by : Ctpost
