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January 19, 2017

Online program rankings improve

Pitt’s online graduate programs in nursing and education rose in the most recent U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings, released last week.

The University’s graduate nursing program rose to No. 12 in the annual online program rankings, up from no. 23 last year. The University’s online graduate education program rose to No. 47, up from No. 66 last year.

Pitt’s School of Education Online offers MEd degrees in elementary education, English and communications, mathematics education and secondary social studies education. In existence since 2009, the education program reported 84 students were enrolled as of fall 2016.

The School of Nursing Online offers MSN degrees in clinical nurse leader and nursing informatics, as well as a certificate in nursing research and a post-master’s doctor of nursing practice degree. In existence since 2009, the nursing program reported 98 students enrolled as of fall 2016.

Pitt Online also offers programs through the School of Law, the University Center for Social and Urban Research, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and the School of Information Sciences, as well as several massive open online courses.

The Swanson School of Engineering operates online programs separate from Pitt Online.

Online graduate education programs

U.S. News ranked 262 schools with online graduate education programs. The rankings were based 35 percent on student engagement; 20 percent on student services and technology; 15 percent on admissions selectivity; 15 percent on faculty credentials and training; and 15 percent on peer reputation.

Programs scoring in the bottom 25 percent were categorized as “rank not published.”

Another 16 schools were listed but not ranked because they reported having fewer than 10 students enrolled or because their programs were less than a year old.

At the top of the U.S. News 2017 list for best online graduate education programs was the University of Florida, followed by the University of Houston at No. 2, Florida State at No. 3 and Northern Illinois and University of Nebraska-Lincoln tied at No. 4.

Pitt tied at No. 47 with California State-Fullerton, College of St. Scholastica, Graceland University, Montclair State, Pittsburg State, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, University of Colorado-Denver and Valley City State University.

Pitt was among 16 Pennsylvania institutions on the 2017 list. Penn State’s World Campus ranked No. 9; Robert Morris tied for No. 35; California University of Pennsylvania tied for No. 77; Drexel and Edinboro tied at No. 84; St. Joseph’s tied at No. 98; University of Scranton tied at No. 113; Clarion tied at No 133; Kutztown ranked No. 149; and Indiana University of Pennsylvania tied at No. 174. Among “rank not published” schools were Cedar Crest College, Duquesne, East Stroudsburg, Point Park and Slippery Rock.

Online graduate nursing programs

U.S. News ranked 140 schools with online graduate nursing programs. The 2017 rankings were based 25 percent on faculty credentials and training; 20 percent on student engagement; 20 percent on admissions selectivity; 20 percent on peer reputation; and 15 percent on student services and technology.

Programs scoring in the bottom 25 percent were categorized as “rank not published.” In addition, four programs were listed but not ranked because they were less than a year old or reported having fewer than 10 students enrolled.

In the 2017 U.S. News rankings, St. Xavier was No. 1, followed by Medical University of South Carolina at No. 2, Duke and Ohio State tied at No. 3, and Johns Hopkins and the University of Cincinnati tied at No. 5.

Pitt, at No. 12, ranked highest among 10 Pennsylvania institutions on the 2017 list. Duquesne tied at No. 26; Drexel and Robert Morris tied at No. 35; Clarion/Edinboro’s program tied at No. 43; Wilkes University tied at No. 97 and California University of Pennsylvania tied at No. 104. Carlow, Chatham and DeSales were listed among “rank not published” schools.

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The complete report is at www.usnews.com.

—Kimberly K. Barlow 


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