Four PSU programs made US News and World Report’s list of Best Online Programs this year. PSU’s Online Bachelor's, Online Master’s in Business (non-MBA), Online Master’s in Education and Online MBA programs ranked high enough in their disciplines to be called U.S. News Best Online Programs. US News surveyed more than 1,200 programs to determine the highest quality online offerings, and ranked programs based on academic standards and the extent to which they have adopted best practices for educating distance learners.
Online courses are becoming increasingly popular for PSU students. This year nearly a third of PSU students are taking at least one online course, and 4,278 students are enrolled in PSU’s Online Bachelor’s program.
PSU’s master’s programs allow business professionals to gain new skills while they continue working. Employees from Boeing, Nike and other Fortune 500 companies are enrolled in business master’s programs such as PSU’s online master's degree in global supply chain management.
“Our supply chain program, along with our Healthcare MBA offered jointly with OHSU and Master of Taxation, offer working professionals rigorous and convenient options for pursuing a specialized graduate degree,” said Cliff Allen, dean of The School of Business. “We continue to enhance our online portfolio so we can better serve the workforce locally, regionally and nationally.”
The Online Master’s in Business (non-MBA) rankings advanced 41 places from 92nd to 51st.
Teachers and teachers-to-be also benefit from the flexibility offered by online programs, and PSU’s education programs are on the rise. The College of Education’s online master’s degree programs jumped 20 places this year from 89th to tied for 69th place.
"We are pleased, but not altogether surprised, that the US News ranking of the PSU College of Education (COE) has increased significantly,” COE Dean Marvin Lynn said. “The COE provides an excellent—and affordable—academic option for future teachers and leaders as the largest and most diverse College of Education in the entire State of Oregon."
The number of online programs offered by PSU is likely to continue to grow.
“We're committed at PSU to seeing online programs like these flourish,” said Johannes De Gruyter, executive director of PSU’s Office of Academic Innovation. “We continue to work with faculty to develop degree programs and options for students that increase flexibility, so they can balance their studies with work and family obligations."