A range of University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s online degree programs are among the best in the nation, led by its master's in nursing program at No. 10.
That’s according to U.S News & World Report, which released its 2023 Best Online Programs rankings today. It bases its annual rankings on a survey, taking in factors such as student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services, and technology and peer reputation.
The other UL Lafayette online programs recognized are:
- No. 45 – Best Online Master’s in Business for the University’s master’s degree in accounting;
- No. 49 – Best Online Bachelor’s Program;
- No. 66 – Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Program;
- No. 77 – Best Online MBA Program for Veterans;
- No. 115 – Best Online MBA Program; and
- No. 157 – Best Online Master’s in Education.
Three of the rankings – the master’s in nursing, online bachelor’s programs and online master’s in business for the University’s master’s degree in accounting – are best in the state.
The online MBA degree program has risen in the rankings for five consecutive years, each year since it was first included in 2019.
Dr. Jaimie Hebert, UL Lafayette’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said the recognition underscores the University’s commitment to providing quality educational opportunities accessible to active, working adults.
“Our goal in offering online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs is to allow students in the state of Louisiana — and across the country — to earn their degrees and access career opportunities they may not be able to otherwise,” Hebert said.
The University began offering online degree programs in 2010 and now offers five undergraduate, eight graduate, and three graduate certificate online programs in technology and data analytics, business, education, and health care.
Dr. Mary Farmer-Kaiser, dean of the Graduate School, said students enrolled in online graduate degree programs learn the same content, from the same UL Lafayette faculty, as on-campus students but in a format that accommodates working professionals.
“We have international students, students in other states, and students from here in Lafayette who just can’t make a schedule work on campus,” she said. “They’re parents, they’re working professionals — they need a graduate degree program when they need it. That’s what an online graduate degree program provides, and we provide it really well.”
Case in point: the master’s in nursing degree, which prepares registered nurses for educating future nurses at the college level or for advanced clinical practice as family nurse practitioners or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.
Louisiana has a critical need for professionals in all three of these areas, said Dr. Lisa Broussard, interim dean for the College of Nursing & Allied Health Professions.
“Our mission is to meet the workforce needs of the state by ensuring there are educators equipped to teach future nurses and clinical nursing professionals to provide patient care where it’s most needed,” Broussard said.
Read more about recognition for the University’s online programs in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings. Learn more about the University’s accredited online degree and certificate programs at online.louisiana.edu
Photo caption: U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs Rankings again high marks to UL Lafayette’s bachelor’s and graduate and online programs. (Photo credit: Rachel Rafati / University of Louisiana at Lafayette)