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US News & World Report names App State Online programs among nation’s best for 2021

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Several of Appalachian State University’s online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs — offered through App State Online — have been recognized among the best in the nation for 2021, according to U.S. News & World Report. Photo by Marie Freeman

App State Online bachelor’s degree programs

App State offers eight online bachelor’s programs:

  • Advertising.
  • Career and technical education.
  • Child development.
  • Communication studies.
  • Management.
  • Middle grades education.
  • Nursing.
  • Workforce leadership and development.
App State Online graduate education degree programs

Among online graduate education programs, the university offers master’s degrees in the following areas:

  • Curriculum specialist.
  • Educational media.
  • Elementary education.
  • Higher education.
  • Library science.
  • Middle grades education.
  • School administration.

Additionally, App State offers education specialist degrees in educational administration and higher education; a doctorate in educational leadership; and several graduate certificates in education. Learn more about App State Online graduate programs.

2021 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings

For 2021, U.S. News & World Report has ranked App State among the top half of U.S. colleges and universities recognized for “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and “Best Online Master’s in in Education Programs”

Additionally, the university was named a top-20 school nationally for “Best Business Programs” and recognized among 131 U.S. colleges and universities for “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs.”

By Jessica Stump
Posted March 4, 2021 at 3:17 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — National publication U.S. News & World Report has named Appalachian State University to its “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” lists — both part of its 2021 “Best Online Programs” rankings.

New this year, U.S. News added rankings of online bachelor’s programs in business, with App State recognized among the top 20 schools in the nation for “Best Business Programs.” App State’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in management offers students the flexibility to complete the degree on their own schedule — full or part time. App State also offers the BSBA in management program on campus.

In its press release on the rankings, U.S. News stated, “Most of the institutions included in these rankings … have offered online options for years, leading a sector that higher education experts see poised for further growth even once the dust from COVID-19 settles.”

This year, App State ranked among the top half of U.S. colleges and universities recognized for online bachelor’s and graduate education programs.

Additionally, the university’s online master’s degree in nursing was named among 131 national schools included in U.S. News’ “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs” rankings. With a focus on educational creativity, nursing practice, leadership and research, App State’s online Master of Science in Nursing prepares graduates for educator roles in practice settings and for academic positions in nursing programs.

U.S. News evaluated more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs for this year’s rankings. Factors considered in the rankings include student engagement, services and technologies available to students, faculty credentials and training, as well as peer reputation. Student excellence is also considered for schools offering online master’s degree programs.

These rankings do not consider programs that were delivered remotely on a temporary basis in 2020, when many colleges shifted to remote instruction due to COVID-19.

App State Online enrollment — undergraduate and graduate — increased by more than 18% from fall 2019 to fall 2020. New online graduate students have increased by nearly 30% from the 2019–20 academic year.

All of App State’s online undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to be flexible, are regionally accredited and are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus. Learn more about App State Online.

Access the full rankings.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

App State Online bachelor’s degree programs

App State offers eight online bachelor’s programs:

  • Advertising.
  • Career and technical education.
  • Child development.
  • Communication studies.
  • Management.
  • Middle grades education.
  • Nursing.
  • Workforce leadership and development.
App State Online graduate education degree programs

Among online graduate education programs, the university offers master’s degrees in the following areas:

  • Curriculum specialist.
  • Educational media.
  • Elementary education.
  • Higher education.
  • Library science.
  • Middle grades education.
  • School administration.

Additionally, App State offers education specialist degrees in educational administration and higher education; a doctorate in educational leadership; and several graduate certificates in education. Learn more about App State Online graduate programs.

2021 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings

For 2021, U.S. News & World Report has ranked App State among the top half of U.S. colleges and universities recognized for “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and “Best Online Master’s in in Education Programs”

Additionally, the university was named a top-20 school nationally for “Best Business Programs” and recognized among 131 U.S. colleges and universities for “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs.”

App State Online
App State Online

App State Online is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, App State offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.

Learn more
US News & World Report names App State Online programs among nation’s ‘best’
US News & World Report names App State Online programs among nation’s ‘best’
Jan. 15, 2020

Appalachian’s online bachelor’s and graduate education programs — including those financially beneficial for student veterans and active-duty military members — rank among the best in the nation for 2020, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Read the story
Nationally recognized App State MBA available online in fall 2020
Nationally recognized App State MBA available online in fall 2020
Feb. 24, 2020

Beginning this fall, students around the world will have access to Appalachian’s Master of Business Administration degree program through App State Online. Students in the nationally recognized MBA program receive a well-rounded business education that provides the in-demand skills sought by today’s employers.

Read the story

About App State Online

Recognized as one of the top online education destinations in the country by U.S. News & World Report, App State Online is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, Appalachian State University offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. Learn more at https://online.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

App State Online bachelor’s degree programs

App State offers eight online bachelor’s programs:

  • Advertising.
  • Career and technical education.
  • Child development.
  • Communication studies.
  • Management.
  • Middle grades education.
  • Nursing.
  • Workforce leadership and development.
App State Online graduate education degree programs

Among online graduate education programs, the university offers master’s degrees in the following areas:

  • Curriculum specialist.
  • Educational media.
  • Elementary education.
  • Higher education.
  • Library science.
  • Middle grades education.
  • School administration.

Additionally, App State offers education specialist degrees in educational administration and higher education; a doctorate in educational leadership; and several graduate certificates in education. Learn more about App State Online graduate programs.

2021 ‘Best Online Programs’ rankings

For 2021, U.S. News & World Report has ranked App State among the top half of U.S. colleges and universities recognized for “Best Online Bachelor’s Programs” and “Best Online Master’s in in Education Programs”

Additionally, the university was named a top-20 school nationally for “Best Business Programs” and recognized among 131 U.S. colleges and universities for “Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs.”

App State Online
App State Online

App State Online is designed to meet students wherever they are — whether they are seeking a degree, a credential or looking to sharpen their personal and/or professional skills. Through App State Online, App State offers innovative, flexible and accredited undergraduate and graduate programs.

Learn more

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Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

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Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
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