U.S. News ‘Best’ Rankings—ECS & iSchool No. 11 for Veterans Online Grad; No. 19 for Online Grad InfoTech Programs

Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), along with the School of Information Studies (iSchool), has been recognized as No. 11 for Best Online Graduate Information Technology Programs for Veterans and No. 19 for Best Online Graduate Information Technology Programs by U.S. News & World Report for 2020.

The full rankings, released earlier today, are available on the U.S. News & World Report website.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science offers online master’s degree programs in cybersecurity, computer science and computer engineering.

The iSchool offers M.S. degree programs in applied data science, information management, information management for executives and library and information science online.

“The online computing master’s programs offered by the College of Engineering and Computer Science allow students to work full time while developing skills they can immediately apply to careers in tech,” says Jae C. Oh, chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the David G. Edelstein Professor for Broadening Participation. “Our online curricula mirror the close interactions of our on-campus programs and are every bit as rigorous. It is encouraging to see the quality of our programs reflected in these respected rankings.”

“The iSchool is gratified to receive this recognition of our high-quality distance education programs from U.S. News,” says Victoria Williams, director of online education and post traditional education at the iSchool. “Our online programs are strong and attract working professionals from around the world. The iSchool’s interdisciplinary and applied-learning approach means that students can customize a degree to gain the skills needed to meet their career goals and immediately apply what they’re learning in the classroom to their professional roles. We’re proud that our programs remain highly ranked as the field continues to be competitive,” she says.

College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean J. Cole Smith notes, “We are proud to see this recognition for all the hard work and dedication our faculty have put into their online course offerings. We are committed to providing all students with an outstanding experience that will advance their skills and career, and our online programs are an outstanding option for many people.”

iSchool Dean Rajiv Dewan adds, “There is a long record of groundbreaking work being done at Syracuse University’s iSchool. This 2020 ranking underscores that standing as well as the school’s ongoing commitment to innovation in the digital age. The iSchool is exceptional at offering today’s students and professionals the kinds of education and experiences they will need for successful careers in information policy, information behavior, information management, information systems, information technology, information services, data analytics, enterprise data systems and library science.”

Distance, Veteran Strengths

Syracuse University and its College of Engineering and Computer Science and iSchool are recognized as leaders in both distance education and in educational programming designed for military and veteran student audiences.

• Across all iSchool online programs today, the percentage of military and veteran students enrolled is 18 percent.
• The College of Engineering and Computer Science’s cybersecurity programs have been ranked as No.1 on Military Times’ rankings in both 2017 and 2018.
• The iSchool has been at the leading edge of distance learning for three decades, first offering online courses in 1993.
• iSchool online graduate programs offer the same curriculum and faculty in teaching roles as in its on-campus program and faculty all receive specialized training in online pedagogy. They have direct contact with students enrolled in online courses. The iSchool’s online programs offer limited immersion requirements, and students can fulfill them at several different times during the year.
• Both the iSchool and the College of Engineering and Computer Science are leaders in education in computer information technology educational programming for the military and military veteran student audience.
• Years ago, programs were initiated that were especially geared to veterans pursuing post-military careers, applying the leadership experience they gained in the military and guiding them in the transition to civilian life.
• Syracuse University’s record of veteran education dates to World War II; it has a current standing as the No. 1 private institution for veteran learning, according to Military Times.

For its report, schools are evaluated on five general categories: engagement with the online student; faculty credentials and training; expert opinion (from a survey of high-ranking academic officials in information technology); services and technologies that the program provides; and student excellence. U.S. News says the rankings “offer the information needed to identify programs that best suit life and career goals of graduate students, and the top programs not only demonstrate strong academics but also create learning environments that are particularly well-suited to remote students.”

The story was written by Alex Dunbar and Diane Stirling.