Central Michigan University got some good news this week, as rankings for online education came out from
U.S. News and World Report, and CMU's online programs got top marks.
CMU is no stranger to distance learning; the Mount Pleasant university has been doing such programs since 1971, and was an early adopter of online classes. It now offers almost 200 online bachelor's degree programs and 170 online master's degree programs.
It's the first time the magazine has rated online education programs, although it's famous for its rankings of colleges and graduate schools. CMU was ranked high in areas including student engagement and assessment, student services and technology, and faculty credentials and training.
It was ranked No. 3 in two categories: student services and technology in online graduate business programs, and student engagement and accreditation for online graduate education programs.
CMU also was ranked No. 10 for student services and technology in online bachelor's programs, No. 11 for student engagement and accreditation in online graduate business programs, and No. 20 for student services and technology in online graduate education programs.
"The continued growth of CMU's online programs, both in increased course offerings and student enrollment, reflects CMU's commitment to providing learning environments that are of the best academic quality while offering flexibility and faculty engagement that meets the educational needs of our students," says Merodie Hancock, VP of CMU's Off-Campus and Online Programs.
She also pointed out several notable alumni of CMU's online programs, who include Gen. Norton Schwartz, current chief of staff of the Air Force; Michael Orris, chief procurement officer for Rolls-Royce; Vivien Crea, Vice Admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard; and Scott Bernard, federal chief architect.
Distance and online learning programs at CMU are supplemented by more than 50 locations worldwide, including Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; Detroit; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; the Pentagon; Toronto; and Guadalajara, Mexico.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Merodie Hancock, Central Michigan University
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