The University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette is the state鈥檚 top university for online bachelor鈥檚 programs for the fifth consecutive year.
That鈥檚 according to U.S. News & World Report, which released its 2021 Best Online Programs Rankings on Tuesday. UL Lafayette was No. 75 in the country in the online bachelor鈥檚 programs category, up from No. 106 last year.
Several of the University鈥檚 online graduate programs were also singled out, led by the degree program. It was ranked No. 23 in the country, higher than any program in 棉花糖直播. In 2020, the program was No. 45.
Dr. Jaimie Hebert, UL Lafayette鈥檚 provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said the strong showing isn鈥檛 by chance.
鈥淚t underscores the University鈥檚 commitment to innovative online degree programs, particularly as more working adults look for an accessible way to earn bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees,鈥 Hebert said.
The University offers five undergraduate, seven graduate, and three graduate certificate online programs.
The Master of Science in Nursing program is designed for advanced practice registered nurses who want to become family nurse practitioners; they provide more comprehensive health care that includes diagnosing and treating illnesses, and prescribing medication. All coursework 鈥 except for clinical experiences 鈥 is delivered online.
Dr. Melinda Oberleitner, dean for the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, said 鈥渁 challenging curriculum, and faculty members dedicated to preparing students for success in the work force, have propelled the online master鈥檚 in nursing to its place among the top 12 percent of ranked programs in the country.鈥
鈥淥ur graduating classes routinely achieve a 100 percent passage rate on the national licensure exam to become FNPs,鈥 Oberleitner explained.
The University鈥檚 online program was ranked No. 72. U.S. News and World Report ranked the program No. 89 last year.
Dr. Toby Daspit, a professor and interim department head of Educational Curriculum and Instruction, coordinates the program. It remains the top-ranked program in 棉花糖直播 for the third consecutive year.
The program prepares teachers who are employed full-time to become 鈥渢eacher leaders,鈥 he explained.
鈥淚t鈥檚 designed for full-time teachers who are interested in developing curricula, informing instructional techniques and influencing their fellow educators,鈥 Daspit said.
The B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration鈥檚 , at No. 135, also climbed. It was ranked No. 149 in 2020.
The online MBA complements the college鈥檚 traditional professional and executive MBA programs.
It emphasizes nine areas 鈥 entrepreneurship, finance, general business, global management, health care administration, hospitality management, human resources, project management, and sales leadership.
鈥淭he program鈥檚 strength 鈥 and relevance 鈥 is built on the appeal of our varied concentrations available to business professionals,鈥 said P. Robert Viguerie Jr., the college鈥檚 associate dean who directs the MBA program.
Dr. Mary Farmer-Kaiser, dean of the Graduate School, said adding online offerings and continuing to deliver quality instruction 鈥渞emain our priority, particularly as the sudden global shift to remote work and study has made distance learning both commonplace and critical.鈥
U.S. News & World Report bases its report on a survey, taking in factors such as student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services, and technology and peer reputation.
Learn more about the University鈥檚 accredited online degree and certificate programs at
Photo caption: U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 2021 Best Online Programs Rankings again give high marks to UL Lafayette鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 and graduate and online programs. Photo credit: Rachel Rafati / University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette