Jan. 10, 2012
STEPHENS IS ONLY MID-MO COLLEGE TO RANK IN TOP 15
IN CATEGORIES ASSESSED BY U.S. NEWS IN FIRST-EVER
“TOP ONLINE EDUCATION PROGRAM RANKINGS”
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- U.S.News & World Report today releases its first-ever edition of the nation’s Top Online Education Program rankings. Stephens College is the only mid-Missouri college (and only women’s college) to rank in the Top 15 in any of the categories assessed in the ranking. Stephens’ online bachelor’s programs are ranked #13 out of 172 colleges for teaching practices and student engagement, higher than any other Missouri college.
U.S. News ranked online bachelor’s degree programs (including our Health Information Administration and degree completion programs), online graduate business programs (including our Master of Business Administration and Master in Strategic Leadership) and online graduate education programs (including ourMaster of Education in Curriculum & Instruction). To be considered, programs needed to have at least 80% of their course content available online. Online engineering, nursing and computer information technology programs were also evaluated.
Programs were ranked in three categories (using 20 weighted indicators): teaching practices and student engagement; faculty credentials and training; and student services and technology. See the rankings at www.usnews.com.
The 2012 guide’s online debut demonstrates the public value and importance surrounding online learning beyond its mere delivery method. U.S. News outlines what constitutes quality in an online program, and demonstrates that online degrees can be as structured, community-building and value-laden as a traditional classroom degree.
“These rankings are evidence that Stephens is a strong competitor locally and nationally on these metrics,” says Stephens President Dianne Lynch. “Metrics that have been core to the development of quality online degree programs at Stephens.”
The release of the rankings falls on the heels of the College’s gaining approval from its accrediting body (the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association) to develop additional online programs.
Stephens began offering online programs in 1998, beginning with its MBA program. It introduced the Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction in 2008, followed a year later by the Master in Strategic Leadership. The College also offers a Master of Education in Counseling on-campus evening program.
The College’s entry into flexible, convenient delivery methods occurred much earlier: In the early 1970s, Stephens launched the first distance-learning program for Health Information Administration professionals in the nation. The bachelor’s degree program went online in 2002.
Founded in 1833, Stephens College is the second-oldest women’s college in the country, with coeducational graduate and adult undergraduate programs. The College prepares students to become leaders and innovators in a rapidly changing world. Stephens engages lifelong learners in an educational experience characterized by intellectual rigor, creative expression and professional practice, in an environment supported by accomplished faculty and dedicated graduates. Learn more at www.stephens.edu.-30-
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