Mizzou’s online graduate education degree programs earn national ranking // Show Me Mizzou // University of Missouri

Jan. 10, 2018
The University of Missouri’s online graduate education degree programs are among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report 2018 Best Online Programs Rankings.

Mizzou’s online master of education programs ranked higher than any other institution in Missouri. The College of Education offerings climbed 25 positions since last year’s rankings, tying for 36th in the nation.

U.S. News ranked schools with online graduate programs in education in five general categories: student engagement with faculty and classmates; student services and technology; admission selectivity; faculty credentials and training; and peer reputation.

“Our online students often share stories about the quality of the content and teaching in these programs,” College of Education Dean Kathryn Chval said. “Our priorities on student engagement, excellent student services, quality courses, how long it takes students to degree completion and graduation rates have contributed to student success.”

Since 1997, when the MU College of Education offered its first online course, faculty and staff have grown the online programs to offer a range of options, including positive coaching, teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), technology in schools, early childhood special education and positive psychology.

U.S. News also ranked Mizzou’s online bachelor programs in the top 40 percent of all undergraduate online programs. MU offers 10 online bachelor’s programs ranging from business administration to hospitality management and health sciences.

Mizzou’s inventory of online programs is robust and continues to grow in offerings and enrollments. Distance student enrollment has grown 31 percent over the past five academic years.

“When people find out there are so many online degree programs at Mizzou, that are all developed by the same faculty who teach on campus, they immediately know they will be earning a degree that means something,” said Jim Spain, vice provost for undergraduate studies and eLearning. “We have online students in every corner of Missouri and across the nation. It’s our mission to increase access to Mizzou. With 100-plus online programs and counting, we’re doing just that.”

A recent survey showed that 90.4 percent of Mizzou graduates have found successful career outcomes. Mizzou’s outcomes rate is significantly higher than the average for a variety of peer groups, which reported the following rates for FY15 (the latest national data available):