Michigan State University is ranked fifth in the nation for best online master’s programs in education.
The college is the best-ranked among Michigan schools and is tied for the top ranking in the Big Ten, according to the annual rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
“At MSU, we are dedicated to creating and teaching innovative online courses that connect faculty expertise with enriched learning opportunities for students,” said Robert E. Floden, dean of the MSU College of Education.
The college is recognized for its excellence in quality of education, which includes small class sizes led by renowned faculty.
Education is one of several disciplines ranked by U.S. News for online programs each year. This ranking—canvassing more than 1,500 degree programs nationwide across all categories—is separate from the overall graduate program rankings done by U.S. News annually. In 2019, MSU is tied for fifth in the country with the University of Georgia and the University of Iowa.
The online rankings for education are created based on various factors, including student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, peer reputation and admissions selectivity.
Points for each institution on a scale of 0-100 are calculated by aggregating data about students, faculty and practices across online master’s degree programs offered.
The MSU College of Education, which earned a score of 95 to tie for the No. 5 ranking, currently offers five fully online master’s degree programs:
- Master of Arts in Education (MAED)
- Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET)
- Master of Arts in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE)
- Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum (MATC)
- Master of Arts in Special Education (Learning Disabilities or Autism Spectrum Disorders)
In 2018, the college’s programs were ranked #31 in the nation following a clerical error in reporting. In previous years, the college had climbed the rankings ever since 2013, when the college was ranked #23, through 2017, when the college was ranked #8.
Additional information about the ranked programs and the methodology used to calculate the rankings can be found on the U.S. News & World Report site.
Award-winning at MSU
Several online programs and courses at MSU have been recognized for their excellence.
In 2018, a Master of Arts in Educational Technology (MAET) course was named the Best Fully Online Course at MSU. Additionally, in 2017, an Educational Psychology and Educational Technology (EPET) course received an Honorable Mention for its integration of technology to reach all students.
