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The Canisius University Online Graduate Program in Education earned high marks in the areas of teaching practices, student engagement, student services and technology, in U.S. News & World Report’s first-ever ranking of top online education degree programs.

In the category of “Teaching Practices and Student Engagement,” Canisius ranked 25^th among 156 participating schools. The college was recognized for having quality education degree programs that promote student participation in classes, allows opportunities for students to readily interact with their instructors and classmates, and prepares them for career roles in group settings. Demonstrating engagement is a criterion for education degree programs to receive accreditation from National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and was the most highly weighted indication U.S. News used to compute this ranking. The Canisius University graduate education program maintains NCATE accreditation.

In the category of “Student Services and Technology,” Canisius ranked 46^th among 151 schools that participated in the survey. The college was recognized for its diverse online learning technologies, which provide greater flexibility for students to take classes by the methods of their choosing at the times of their choosing. The college was also recognized in this area for students’ ability to have courses centralized into a single student information system. Service-based indicators include live tutoring, career placement assistance, and access to technology support.

“The recognitions by U.S. News & World Report reaffirm the dedicated work and commitment by our faculty and staff to deliver high-quality educational experiences for students both in the classroom and online,” says Michael J. Pardales, PhD, dean of the School of Education and Human Services. “We are particularly proud to be recognized in the areas of student services and teaching practices, since these are at the core of everything we do in the school.”

The number of students enrolled in online degree programs is growing rapidly, and Canisius University offers an increasing number of such programs. Each is designed to accommodate the busy lifestyles of working professionals, and provide the same exceptional education as traditional courses. Visit canisius.edu/academics for a detailed course listing.

Canisius University is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.