U.S. News and World Report released its 2022 rankings report for national college and university online programs on Jan. 25, giving high rankings to several of Kennesaw State’s online programs.
Four of KSU’s online programs ranked in the top 30 in their respective areas: Master’s in computer information technology programs, master’s in computer information technology programs for veterans, master’s in educational administration programs and master’s curriculum and instruction programs.
KSU’s online nursing programs, MBA programs, MBA programs for veterans, master’s in education programs and master’s in engineering programs were also recognized.
U.S News and World gave KSU’s online master’s in education programs the highest-ranking out of all the KSU online programs ranked, sitting at number 13. The second-best online ranking for KSU is the online master’s in computer technology programs for veterans, which sits at number 15. The general online master’s in computer information technology sits at number 27.
“When Kennesaw State is acknowledged for our innovative programs, it’s confirmation for our students that they are getting valuable knowledge and gaining practical skills,” Erik Malewski, the program coordinator for the curriculum and instruction program that ranked in the U.S. News and World Report, said.
“Such recognition can provide avenues for enrollment and resources to further grow our programs and reach even higher levels of success down the road,” Nicholas Clegorne, the program coordinator for the master’s of education in educational leadership, said.
U.S. News and World ranked 1,646 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs out of the 1,728 online degree programs assessed. Degrees that are temporarily offered online because of COVID-19, hybrid programs, certificate programs and associate and doctoral degrees were not included in the rankings.
According to the U.S. News and World website, “Ultimately, the Best Online Programs rankings measure whether online degree programs have academic standards commensurate with quality brick-and-mortar programs that are properly adapted toward the unique pedagogy of distance education.”
According to Ivan Pulinkala, KSU’s vice president of academic affairs and interim vice president for the division of enrollment services, there are currently over 4,600 fully online students at KSU. Pulinkala claims enrollment in online programs has been on the rise since the early 2000s when online programs were first offered at KSU.
“These rankings and the increasing collection of program accolades at KSU build community and employer awareness, trust and appreciation of our programs, which gives our graduates a competitive edge and indirectly increases employability,” Pulinkala said.
KSU offers 17 online bachelor’s degree programs, three online specialists of education programs, 25 online master’s degree programs and three online doctoral degree programs.
KSU’s other U.S. News and World rankings include No. 54 in first-year experiences, No. 37 in best undergraduate teaching and No. 299 through No. 391 in national universities with notable recognitions for undergraduate engineering programs and nursing.
