U.S. News ranks UWF in top online education programs
The University of West Florida was named in the first-ever edition of Top Online Education Program rankings by U.S. News & World Report. These rankings were created in response to today’s high demand for education provided in a flexible manner. Online education has become increasingly popular due to its flexibility.
UWF has 461 fully online course sections hosting eight undergraduate, 10 graduate and 10 certificate programs. Twenty-eight percent of UWF students take online classes exclusively, and 25 percent take online classes in conjunction with other courses. Online bachelor’s degree programs, as well as graduate online degree programs in business, engineering, nursing, education and computer information technology, were ranked. In order to be considered for the rankings, online degree programs needed to have at least 80 percent of their course content available online.
The U.S. News “2012 Top Online Education Program Rankings – Bachelor Programs” ranked UWF No. 50 in Teaching Practices & Student Engagement out of 172 programs and No. 55 out of 179 programs in Student Services and Technology.
The “2012 Top Online Education Program Rankings – Graduate Programs – Education” ranked UWF No. 65 out of 156 programs in Teaching Practices & Student Engagement, tied with the University of Florida. In the Student Services & Technology category, UWF ranked No. 69 out of 151.
“This recognition by US News and World Report is a true honor. Our adult and military learners’ need a more flexible learn anytime, anywhere, environment and we are committed to meeting their needs in a quality way” said UWF President, Dr. Judith A. Bense.
Data collection by U.S.News commenced in 2011. Drawing from its Best Colleges universe of regionally accredited bachelor’s granting institutions, U.S.News emailed surveys to the 1,765 regionally accredited institutions it determined had offered bachelors’ degree programs in 2010. Respondents were requested to report in-depth statistical information about their online programs. At UWF, faculty and students were surveyed regarding their experience with online programs to determine engagement, technology capabilities, teaching practices and student services.
Data was collected from both for-profit and not-for-profit schools. For more information about the rankings methodology, please go to http://www.usnews.com/onlinemeth. For more information on the U.S. News Top Online Education Program rankings, please visit http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education.
