The University of Tennessee at Martin had the highest ranking for online Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs among the colleges and universities in Tennessee, according to rankings released Feb. 7 by U.S. News & World Report.
It also ranked UT Martin’s faculty credentials and training as the best in the nation in online MBA programs with a perfect score of 100.
UT Martin tied for 51st in the nation with a score of 82 out of 100 in online MBA programs among the 345 colleges and universities listed in that category. The university ranked 16th in engagement among online MBA programs.
According to the overview, 78% of students are already employed when they first enroll in the UT Martin online MBA program. It also notes that online MBA programs at UT Martin are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, what it calls “the gold standard” of business school accreditation.
Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi (pronounced “too-TOON-chee”), the dean of the College of Business and Global Affairs, said the high ranking of the online MBA program includes all aspects of the program.
“The recent news regarding the national recognition that our online MBA program received from US News & World Report is a tribute to our outstanding team of faculty and staff,” he said. “It reflects our collective commitment to the quality of the programs that we offer in our College of Business and Global Affairs.
“This is also a tribute to Jenny Killebrew, who continuously works hard and uses new ideas to ensure that our students receive the highest quality of advising and support services. I am proud of our faculty, staff and students for performing at such a high level that contributes to the enhancement of the reputation of our college and university.”
Killebrew, the director of the MBA program and undergraduate student services in the College of Business and Global Affairs, said the online MBA program’s rankings are a reflection of the faculty as well as the program itself.
“Our MBA program is only as good as the faculty who teach within the program,” she said. “I am proud to say we have some of the best faculty teaching in our MBA program. Semester after semester, I receive numerous emails bragging about the helpful faculty. I am thrilled to see we maintained our ranking this year.”
In that same U.S. News & World Report ranking, UT Martin ranked second in Tennessee in online education programs and third in the state in online criminal justice programs.
The university also tied for eighth in the South region in best colleges for veterans, the highest ranking among Tennessee universities. Schools that were ranked in this category participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees. These are institutions that are certified or the GI Bill and are a public school or participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
