Hinds Hall, home of the School of Information Studies
The School of Information Studies (iSchool) was ranked No. 1 in best online graduate degree programs in computer information technology for veterans by U.S. News & World Report.
The full rankings are available on the U.S. News & World Report website, along with an overview of the iSchool’s graduate information technology program. This program was also ranked No. 5 overall for best online information technology programs in January of this year.
This is the second year that the U.S. News has released rankings for programs for veterans, and the first year that programs in computer information technology have been ranked.
Veterans “face their own challenges, such as dealing with deployments or grappling with mental or physical wounds that can make it hard to adjust to life on campus,” notes the magazine’s release on the methodology behind the rankings. “For some of these students, online programs provide an advantageous alternative to brick-and-mortar universities.”
At the iSchool, all master’s degree programs can be completed either on-campus or online. [Details on online programs]
“We are proud to receive this recognition of our program with respect to higher education for veterans,” says iSchool Dean Elizabeth D. Liddy. “We have been a leader in the field of online learning since 1993, and we have been a strong supporter of education for our veterans. The iSchool has a long history of working with the military, in both veteran education initiatives and programs for members of the military who are currently serving our country.”
Programs at the iSchool that provide services to the military include the school’s agreement with the U.S. Army Signal Center Cyber Leader College (SIGCEN) at Fort Gordon. This program provides an opportunity for officers who have completed courses at SIGCEN in capacities as information systems managers or telecommunication engineers to transfer credits that will count toward an M.S. in information management or M.S. in telecommunications and network management degree at the iSchool.
The iSchool was also a driving force in establishing the technology track of the Veterans Career Transition Program at the University. Originally called the Veterans Technology Program, the curriculum, developed at the iSchool, prepares transitioning service members and spouses for new careers in operations information technology or human resources. Syracuse’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families currently administers this program. Syracuse University’s Veterans Resource Center also provides student veterans with a personalized set of services from recruitment to degree completion.
“We are excited that our program has been recognized by U.S. News as a good opportunity for veterans,” says Victoria Williams, director of online education at the iSchool. “Active military and retired veterans across the world have a strong presence in iSchool online graduate programs. Our online format provides access to the same high quality education as our campus programs, and allows military students the flexibility needed to accommodate changes in deployment and advancements in career.”
“Additionally, our online programs have allowed the iSchool to attract experienced, high quality faculty, many of whom are veterans themselves,” notes Williams. “We value having veterans in our programs and consider them to be a very important part of the iSchool community.”
“When our new Chancellor, Kent Syverud, was inaugurated last month, he addressed the need to make Syracuse one of the best places for veterans to receive an education,” says Dean Liddy. “With today’s top ranking of our online program, I believe that affirms we are headed in the right direction.”
