Georgia College & State University’s (GCSU) online nursing program ranks first in the state and is tied for No. 28 nationally in “Best Online Programs,” according to a recently released U. S. News & World Report study. Only three Georgia schools ranked in the top 100 on the nationwide list of best nursing programs.
The online graduate programs offered by Georgia College in business, criminal justice, and education also rank in the top 100 overall against other programs across the nation.
“The School of Nursing at Georgia College & State University continues to attract the best and brightest students at every level, from bachelors to masters, to our doctor of nursing practice,” GCSU President Cathy Cox said.
“Our online graduate degrees in nursing provide even more students access to our talented and dedicated faculty and assure that working nurses can pursue advanced degrees with convenience. Our ranking as No. 1 in the state is well deserved.”
Two programs from Georgia College’s J. Whitney Bunting College of Business and Technology are also highly ranked. The online Master’s Degree in Business (non-MBA) is second only to the University of Georgia statewide, and No. 43 on U.S. News & World Report’s overall list. Georgia College and UGA are the only two schools in Georgia to rank in the top 100 on U.S. News & World Report’s list.
The Georgia College online MBA is No. 94 nationally and second in Georgia. Georgia College was one of only two schools in the state to rank in the top 100 for online MBA programs.
“These rankings speak to the superb quality and innovative spirit of our faculty,” said Dr.
Michael Stratton, dean of the College of Business and Technology. “They consistently deliver a student-centered, highly engaging learning experience for working professionals and emerging leaders.”
Two other graduate programs round out Georgia College’s top 100 rankings: the online Criminal Justice program at No. 61 nationally (third in Georgia), and the online Master of Education at No. 100 in the nation and top 10 in the state. The online education graduate program at Georgia College made significant gains in the rankings since last year, climbing to the top 100 from No. 132.
“These rankings are another indicator that our accessible and affordable graduate programs are of the highest quality. (They) remain innovative and forward-looking to anticipate the needs of maturing professionals in all sectors represented by the rankings,” Dr. Holley Roberts, associate provost for Academic Affairs and director of The Graduate School, said.
U.S. News & World Report designates Georgia College as a Regional University South, a geographic area that includes a dozen southern states. According to U.S. News, “Regional Universities offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs” and limited doctoral programs.
In addition to being the No. 1 online graduate nursing program among all Georgia institutions, both public and private, among Georgia’s other regional south public institutions, Georgia College is No. 1 for its online Master’s of Business, online MBA, and online Criminal Justice programs.