Online graduate program ranked top five in nation for third consecutive year

For the third consecutive year, the online graduate program of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top five online degrees in the nation.

For 2017, U.S. News ranks ASU no. 5. The magazine ranked the School no. 2 in 2015 and 2016.

“I think it’s an indicator of the quality of instruction that we have,” said Cassia Spohn, a leading criminology scholar and director of the School. “We put a lot of time and effort into ensuring that our online courses incorporate the best practices in higher education.

Schools are ranked based on assessment of five categories: student engagement (31%); faculty credentials and training (26%); student services and technology (21%); admissions selectivity (12%) and peer reputation (10%). ASU scored high marks for faculty credentials and training and student engagement. Overall, The ASU School of Criminology and Criminal Justice received a total of 90 points out of 100. Read more about methodology here. 

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice is the largest in the College of Public Service and Community Solutions with 2500 undergraduate students and almost 500 graduate students. The School began offering online graduate classes in fall 2010 and currently has more than 400 students enrolled in the online graduate program. Many students are career professionals who are seeking a graduate degree to advance their careers. Others are recent college graduates who want to earn their master’s degree before they embark on their professional careers.

“The challenge is keeping up with the student’s individual learning style,” said Tim Franklin, a former Secret Service agent and police officer who teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses online. “You really have to tailor your lectures and your weekly lessons to fit two audiences depending on their knowledge level.”

The school offers online graduate students the ability to specialize their master’s degree by earning certificates in law enforcement administration, corrections management, criminal sentencing and advocacy and emergency management. Online students can also take part in the School’s study abroad program, which features a counter terrorism component in Israel and a new summer program studying the British criminal justice system in London. Online students are also able to participate in career events via live stream and receive free career help through ASU Career and Professional Development Services.

“As the number of students in the School’s undergraduate and graduate programs continues to grow, faculty and staff will be mindful of maintaining the quality and rigor of both on-campus and online programs,” Spohn told attendees at the School’s tenth anniversary celebration in December.