Every year the U.S. News and World Report complies a list of the top twenty five best online colleges. This year, the Graduate School of Education’s online program was included in that list.

The magazine ranks the best online master’s degree programs based on five criteria: student engagement, student services and technology, faculty credentials and training, admissions selectivity and peer reputation.

GSE has offered more online programs this year, which landed them a spot at number 25 on the list, compared to number 61 last year. “I would like to commend dedicated, online education program administrators and staff, as well as innovative faculty, who work together to provide high-quality online education,” said Jaekyung Lee, the dean of GSE. “I expect that GSE will continue to play a national leadership role in online education and serve as a model for pedagogical innovations.”

“[GSE’s online programs] attract students from all over the world who seek collaborative experiences with our full-time research faculty, seasoned practitioners and, equally important, each other,” said Christine Kroll, the assistant dean for online education. “Offering academic programs online was a natural extension of the way we collaborate globally with our own colleagues to develop innovative strategies that are designed to bring together students with differing worldviews and experiences,” she continued.

Currently, 20 percent of the total enrollment in GSE is completely online. “Most of our students earn master’s degrees,” said Kroll. “Others earn advanced graduate certificates that are required for New York State licensure or New York State teaching extensions, and others simply take a course or two to keep current in their professional field. The average age of our online students is 44, most of whom are employed and raising families and live across the state, county and world” she explains. “These students are typically unable to attend UB’s brick-and-mortar campus, so giving them an opportunity to attend UB online is an opportunity they might not otherwise have. All of our students can complete their coursework 24/7 and can earn a degree, even though proximity may have prevented it in the past.”

Visit the U.S. News and World Report website to see the full rankings.

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