Nursing, business rank among the nation’s best in online education in U.S. News listing
East Carolina University’s graduate programs in nursing and business rank among the nation’s best in online education according to a listing released today by U.S. News & World Report.
The ECU College of Nursing ranked fifth out of 96 masters of nursing programs in the country. The online Master of Business Administration program in the College of Business ranked 58 out of 171 graduate business programs.
U.S. News ranked online master’s degree programs in business, computer information technology, education, engineering and nursing on criteria including student engagement, faculty credentials and training, admissions selectivity, student services and technology and program ratings by peer institutions.
ECU’s College of Nursing has been consistently named by U.S. News as one of the largest distance education programs in the country since 2004. The current rankings assess quality categories over size.
“Our programs offer today’s working nurse the ability to pursue advanced education while remaining in the much-needed workforce,” said Dr. Sylvia Brown, dean of the ECU College of Nursing. “Our administrators, faculty and staff are committed to preparing nursing professionals who are making a positive impact on the health care of individuals in our region and around the world.”
Nursing offers seven online options in the master’s of science nursing program: adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, nursing education, nursing leadership and nurse midwifery.
Of 723 total students enrolled in the MSN program in the 2012-2013 academic year, 628 – or 86.9 percent – were distance education students.
The online program in the College of Business has grown from a single course offering in 1998 to undergraduate and graduate degrees in several concentrations. It is the largest online MBA program in the UNC system.
Of 743 total students enrolled in the MBA program last fall, 587 – or 79 percent – were distance education students.
“East Carolina has helped pioneer the field of distance education, especially at the MBA level, and we will continue to incorporate the latest technology with top-notch teaching, professional development and leadership skills,” said Dr. Stan Eakins, dean of the College of Business. “We’re proud and honored to be recognized once again among the top online graduate business programs, ranking in the top third of all schools nationally.”
This is the second year that U.S. News has compiled numeric rankings on the overall quality of distance education programs. The complete listing can be viewed at http://www.usnews.com/online. Highlights also will appear in the magazine’s “Best Graduate Schools 2015” and “Best Colleges 2015” printed guidebooks.