East Carolina University
01/22/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2025 13:18
Online masters’ programs in nursing, criminal justice, education and business lead rankings
Online masters' programs in nursing, criminal justice, education and business lead rankings
Published Jan 22, 2025 by
East Carolina University's College of Nursing is the No. 1 online master's program for public universities in North Carolina and is in the top 10 nationwide in a new ranking by U.S. News and World Report.
In addition to nursing, ECU's online master's programs in criminal justice, education and the MBA were ranked among the best in the country in U.S. News 2025 Best Online Programs.
"For the first time in the 65-year history of the College of Nursing, our master's program is ranked in the top 10 in the nation, earning us the title for the No. 1 master's program in a state institution in North Carolina - a huge honor that we don't take lightly," said Dr. Bim Akintade, dean of the College of Nursing. "These honors are a direct result of the years of work on the part of our faculty and staff to ensure we educate and prepare the best nurses in the nation."
ECU is No. 10 in the nation, moving up four places from last year. It's in the top 6% of 198 programs assessed by U.S. News on the following factors: student excellence (10%); faculty credentials and training (20%); student services and technology (20%); engagement (30%); and peer assessment (20%).
"For years, graduates of our master's programs have seen a 100% first-time pass rate on their certification exams after graduation," Akintade said. "These rankings are just further evidence that the College of Nursing is North Carolina's flagship nursing education institution."
Graduate students from the College of Nursing practice clinical skills during an on-campus intensive experience. (Contributed photo)
ECU's online master's in nursing administration and leadership ranked 12th, and the online master's in nursing education was No. 7. These rankings are based on peer assessment.
The ECU College of Nursing ranked sixth in the country for Best Online Master of Nursing Programs for Veterans. Institutions that rank in the top 50% of the best online master's in nursing programs are eligible to be ranked for the best online program for veterans. The universities must enroll at least 10 active duty or veteran students, be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program or charge in-state tuition for out-of-state veterans to be ranked.
ECU's online master's in education program was No. 54 of 313 institutions ranked. ECU moved up nine spots from 2024, placing it in the top 20% of programs nationwide.
"Our improved ranking in U.S. News & World Report is a testament to the dedication and diligence of our faculty and staff, who work tirelessly to provide courses and an educational experience that fosters student success," said Dr. André Green, dean of the College of Education.
"Being recognized among the top 20% of online master's in education programs nationwide reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence and the accomplishments of our students. Moving forward, we remain committed to further elevating our program to ensure it continues to meet the high standards that our students in North Carolina deserve," Green said.
ECU's online criminal justice program is the No. 1 online masters' program for public universities in North Carolina. It ranked No. 27 of 96, placing it in the top 30%. No other public institution in the state was ranked.
"We are honored to once again be recognized as a leading program in online graduate education for criminal justice, maintaining our top ranking in North Carolina and continuing to stand out nationally," said Dr. Heidi Bonner, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences.
"Our faculty, who are accomplished scholars and practitioners, are deeply committed to providing a flexible and rigorous educational experience tailored to adult learners with demanding schedules," Bonner said. "This recognition is a testament to their dedication and to the success of our students. We take great pride in our mission to meet the evolving needs of all learners, including working professionals."
ECU's online MBA program in the College of Business' Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business was No. 150 of 355 institutions, placing it in the top 45% of programs in the nation. It was also named a Best Online MBA Program for Veterans.
U.S. News' assessed online programs at 1,790 colleges and universities to determine its rankings.
Factors such as faculty credentials and training, services and technology available to students, student engagement and expert opinions on the academic quality of programs inform the rankings. Other considerations are student excellence via undergraduate GPAs, acceptance rates and work experience, according to the U.S. News website.
(Ben Abel, Kristen Martin and ECU's Institutional Planning Assessment and Research office contributed to this story).