Jan. 14, 2014
COPY BY: Rana McDonald, 806-651-2129, rmcdonald@wtamu.edu
WTAMU Online Programs Recognized by U.S. News & World Report
CANYON, Texas—For the second consecutive year, the West Texas A&M University online M.B.A. program has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report, and the University’s Online Graduate Nursing Program is making its first appearance in the coveted rankings.
The U.S. News and World Report recently announced its 2014 Best Online Programs as a resource for students seeking information about online programs for degree completion and career advancement. Only degree-granting programs were considered for the 2014 list, and rankings were based on student engagement, faculty credentials, peer reputation and student services and technology.
Two other WTAMU programs—Online Bachelor’s Program and Online Graduate Education Program—also were recognized in the 2014 rankings.
Online Graduate Business Program: The online graduate business program ranks 27th overall in U.S. News and World Report for 2014. A total of 236 online graduate business programs were considered for the 2014 rankings. Categorical rankings list West Texas A&M University second for a regional university in the West, 10th in student service and technology, 19th in admissions selectivity, 24th in the student engagement category, and 53rd in the faculty credentials and training category.
"We are extremely proud that the online graduate business program continues to be recognized as one of the best in the country by U.S. News and World Report," Dr. LaVelle Mills, associate dean of graduate business programs and professor of management, said. "There are several strategic initiatives we are pursuing that will help us continue to enhance the business program in the near future but receiving external recognition is important validation for our faculty, staff, students and business community partners."
The application deadline for summer 2014 graduate business programs is May 1. To learn more about the graduate business programs at West Texas A&M University, contact Dr. LaVelle Mills at lmills@wtamu.edu or 806-651-3866 or Dr. Jonathan Shaffer at jshaffer@wtamu.edu or 806-651-2489.
Online Graduate Nursing Program: WTAMU’s online graduate nursing program is listed at number 41 overall in the 2014 rankings. The program ranks ninth in student engagement, 15th in faculty credentials, 80th in admissions selectivity and 97th in student services and technology.
"As with many disciplines, it is key that nurses continue to learn about their profession. Clearly, additional education enhances not only the nursing profession but also benefits patients," Dr. J. Dirk Nelson, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, said. "I am very proud that not only was West Texas A&M’s online graduate curriculum in nursing identified by U.S. News and World Report in the top 50 nationally for 2014, but our level of student engagement, as well as our faculty credentials have been ranked as being among the top 15 in the entire United States. These speak volumes about the quality of our students and the professionalism of WT nursing faculty."
The application deadline for fall 2014 is April 1 or Nov. 1 for spring 2015. For more information about the graduate nursing program at WTAMU, contact Dr. Lisa Davis, MSN program director, at ldavis@wtamu.edu or 806-651-2641 or Deanna Moore, admissions counselor, at dmoore@wtamu.edu or 806-651-2654.
—WTAMU—