U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Best Online Programs guide ranks several Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor (CUWAA) online programs among the best in America.
A total of five CUWAA online programs are ranked in the annual U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Online Programs guide that was published on January 26, 2021.
The programs are:
- in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
- in Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs (2020 #66)
- in Best Online Master’s in Business Programs
- in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs (2020 #228)
- in Best Online MBA Programs
This recognition is reflective of the university’s rich history of delivering a specialized online experience for over 20 years.
Concordia’s online expertise was particularly notable during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As many undergraduate and graduate programs across the country shifted to an online format, Concordia had the systems and processes in place to help smooth the transition for all learners.
“Online is not new to Concordia,” says Sarah Pecor, assistant vice president of Extended Campus Operations. “When COVID hit, we were able to immediately focus our energy on meeting our students where they were during the disruption.”
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Pecor shares examples of how Concordia extended grace and patience to students who were doing their best to continue their studies while navigating the changes.
“We had nurses on the front lines, parents adjusting to home learning, families battling the effects of the virus,” says Pecor. “Everyone struggled with something last year. Our job is always to listen, support, and deliver an uncommon experience in which our students will succeed.”
The rankings are based on indicators such as student services and technology, faculty credentials, and student engagement, using data collected directly from each institution. Only degree-granting programs that are offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions were considered, and the programs that score the highest are those applying educational best practices specific for distance learners.
The 2021 edition ranks the most online degree offerings in U.S. News Best Online Programs history, assessing 1,641 master’s programs in criminal justice/criminology, computer information technology, MBA, non-MBA business, education, engineering and nursing, as well as overall online bachelor’s degree programs that are aimed at students who earned some college credits previously and are looking to complete their degree. This figure is up from 1,609 the previous year.
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor operates online and in person at centers and residential campuses in Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and one of seven colleges and universities that form the nation-wide Concordia University System. CUWAA provides a robust and uncommon learning experience in person and online that wholly develops students to use their talents and gifts for meaningful lives.
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