Nationally Ranked Online Master’s Degree Programs in Business, Criminal Justice, Education, and Nursing
East Carolina University’s online master’s degree programs in business, criminal justice, education, and nursing have achieved national recognition, securing top positions in a recent ranking conducted by U.S. News & World Report.
ECU’s Joyner Library is a favored study location. (Photo by Steven Mantilla)
The university’s online master’s programs in business, criminal justice, education, and nursing have garnered significant accolades. The business program was ranked 14th out of 186 programs, placing it in the top decile nationwide. Additionally, it secured the 5th spot out of 22 programs recognized as the best online master’s programs for veterans, with the nursing administration/leadership specialization claiming the 11th position.
Dr. Bim Akintade, the dean of the College of Nursing, expressed pride in the institution’s commitment to excellence and readiness in preparing online graduate students. The university’s online master’s program in education was placed 22nd out of 93 programs, positioning it in the top quartile nationally and making it the highest-ranked graduate program in North Carolina. The criminal justice program also excelled, ranking 12th in the best programs for veterans category, distinguishing it as the only program within the UNC System to receive such recognition.
Dr. Heidi S. Bonner, professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, highlighted the program’s reputation as a national leader in online graduate education for criminal justice, emphasizing its status as the premier program in North Carolina. Furthermore, ECU’s education program was lauded for its top 20% ranking out of 303 institutions, with Dr. André Green, the dean of the College of Education, emphasizing the faculty’s expertise and dedication to producing graduates committed to effecting positive change in their communities.
In the realm of business education, ECU’s College of Business’ Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business secured the 147th spot out of 345 schools, placing it in the top 45% nationally. The MBA program within the College of Business also stood out, ranking 97th in the best programs for veterans category. Notably, the MBA program boasts 693 enrolled students, with approximately 87% exclusively pursuing their studies online.
Dr. Linda A. Quick, assistant dean of the Arthur School and associate professor of accounting, underscored the institution’s focus on delivering leadership curriculum effectively through its online programs. ECU’s commitment to excellence was further recognized as one of the best online master’s programs overall.
The evaluation criteria for these programs encompassed various factors such as graduation rates, faculty qualifications, student support services, and peer assessments. ECU’s dedication to providing exceptional online education is evident through its continuous efforts to enhance the learning experience for students across diverse disciplines.
(Ben Abel, Kristen Martin, Michael Rudd, and ECU’s office contributed to this story).