U.S. News ranks UB’s education, nursing online programs among the best

Online degree programs offered by the Graduate School of Education and School of Nursing were among those named best online programs by U.S. News & World Report.

The Graduate School of Education’s seven online programs collectively ranked 41st in the prestigious national ranking, their third consecutive year among the top 50 online graduate education programs.

The School of Nursing’s online bachelor’s degree program (RN-BS), which admitted its first class in 2012-13, climbed 50 spots to rank 86th among hundreds of online bachelor’s programs, its first year in the top 100.

The national magazine, which issues annual rankings of colleges and programs, rated online programs based on student engagement, student services and technology, faculty credentials and training, and peer reputation. The rankings for best online graduate education degrees included admissions selectivity as an additional factor.

“We are proud of this continued national recognition and continue to work toward improving educational access and innovation through high-quality online programs,” says Jaekyung Lee, dean of the Graduate School of Education.

This was the third consecutive year GSE finished among the top 50 online graduate education programs in the magazine’s study, he says.

“Those four U.S. News-surveyed programs include Science and the Public (EdM), School Librarianship (MS), English Education (EdM) and Music Education (EdM),” Lee says. “GSE currently has a comprehensive array of fully online programs across four departments, including eight advanced certificate programs, seven master’s degree programs and one doctoral program, that prepare students for professional careers in counseling, teaching, leadership and information fields.”

GSE tied with two other universities for No. 41: Purdue University and Stony Brook University.

UB’s online RN-BS program, which can be completed in a one-year or two-year sequence, is designed for nurses who already have successfully completed an associate’s degree or hospital-based nursing program and allows practicing nurses to attend school while maintaining employment.

Susan Grinslade, assistant dean for undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing, says the ranking affirms the intent of the program to help prepare more nurses at the baccalaureate level.

“The future demands on the nursing workforce will increase as health care becomes more complex and the population ages, is sicker and grows frailer,” says Grinslade, also a clinical professor of nursing.

“The baccalaureate-prepared nurse has a broader range of competencies, as well as an understanding of the regulatory, political and health care systems that influence the delivery of safe and quality health care.”

The RN-BS program tied with programs from five other universities for No. 86: Colorado State University, St. John’s University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of North Texas.

“We are honored that U.S. News and World Report recognizes UB School of Nursing’s online RN to BS program as among the best,” says nursing dean Marsha Lewis. “This program is designed to build upon the knowledge and experiences of registered nurses while offering a course of study that is innovative and relevant, and that provides an opportunity for professional growth.”

For the full rankings of online programs, visit the U.S. News website.