U.S. News & World Report recently released its rankings for the Best Online Programs in 2015. Grand Valley State University was named number 100 for its online graduate education program – more specifically, for its master’s degree in educational technology.

The master’s degree in educational technology began as a regular, face-to-face program in the early 2000s. Andrew Topper, the program director, said most of the program’s students are full time educators, and he realized they might prefer a hybrid program.

In 2004 and 2005, the program was modified to a hybrid program – which meant there were both on campus and online activities. In 2008, they submitted a request to modify the program again to make an online-only option available.

“Doing so required that we work with the Provost Office to request a change to Grand Valley’s accreditation to provide distant or online programs,” Topper said. “After a three-year process, we received approval in January 2011 to offer the first fully online, no on-campus activities required, degree at Grand Valley. We began enrolling students in the online program in the spring and summer of 2011.”

Topper said there are some obvious benefits to doing an online degree.

“The flexibility to complete the coursework anytime during the week instead of three hours on a weeknight is one,” he said. “Since our students work full time, are taking graduate courses and also have a personal life, we understand that this flexibility may be the difference between students enrolling and completing our program or not.”

In order to be considered by U.S. News & World Report, over 100 data items had to be submitted about the program, the students and the faculty. The department drew heavily on its program evaluation for some of the required data, and Topper believes the U.S. News World Report did well.

“The U.S. News & World Report is a recognized source for objective rankings of colleges and degree programs,” Topper said. “Their audience is students looking for critical, unbiased evaluations of college and university offerings at all levels. It is my opinion that the U.S. News & World report ranking of our online M.Ed. degree in educational technology as one of the best available provides clear, unbiased evidence of the quality of the program recognized by an authoritative source in the field. My colleagues, chair and dean are proud of our efforts to develop and maintain national quality as reflected in these rankings.”

Moving forward, Topper hopes they can continue to focus on flexibility.

“Future college and university offerings will focus on flexibility, and it is clear that hybrid and online courses and programs represent a critical aspect for Grand Valley and other higher education institutions.

“For Grand Valley to continue to be a vibrant and successful university in Michigan and elsewhere, we need to explore ways to provide additional options and formats for programs and courses for our growingly diverse students, while maintaining high quality and rigor,” he said.

U.S. News & World Report Ranked GVSU and five other universities at number 100. Black Hills State University in South Dakota and Cedarville University in Ohio were ranked slightly above GVSU.

GVSU’s sub scores were an 88 in the category of faculty credentials and training, 50 in student services and technology, 56 in student engagement and 20 in admissions selectivity.

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