Online graduate degree options keep College in top rankings

The University of Georgia College of Education continues to rank among the top 30 of the country's best online education programs, according to the 2015 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings released today.

The College, which offers graduate degree programs in adult education, educational psychology, reading education and workforce education, is down slightly from last year's No. 22 ranking. But 2014 was also a benchmark year for the College, which marked the first full year of its new online doctoral degree in student affairs leadership, and also launched a new online master's degree program in human resources and organizational development.

The new student affairs leadership program is an innovative hybrid model, blending online coursework with a few face-to-face meetings throughout the semester. It is one of only a handful of hybrid online student affairs doctoral programs in the country, and the format allows working professionals to fit classes into the demands of a busy life.

The new online master's degree in human resources and organizational development launched this past fall, and the College is preparing to start three more online master's degree programs: social studies education, middle grades education and instructional design and development. There are also five new graduate certificate programs awaiting approval.

Altogether, the UGA College of Education offers eight online master's or educational specialist degrees, along with nearly a dozen certificates and teaching endorsements.

"Our online degrees give professionals the opportunity to advance their learning while continuing to work, which is essential in today's world," said Craig H. Kennedy, dean of the College of Education. "Whether it's a hybrid class that meets face-to-face on a Saturday or a program that's fully online, our flexibility offers more options than ever before."

The College pioneered online learning at UGA when it offered the university's first online degree program in 2001, a master's in adult education.

The U.S. News survey is based on factors such as admissions selectivity, faculty credentials, student engagement and technology. For a full list of winners, visit www.usnews.com/online.