Thursday, April 09, 2020

The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s part-time MBA program has moved up 20 places on the U.S. News & World Report list of “2021 Best Graduate Schools.” Two other graduate programs – education and public administration – were also recognized on the Best Graduate Schools list for 2021. UNCW’s social work program, which tied for 77th in the 2020 rankings, also remains on the list.

“UNCW’s strong commitment to academic rigor and scholarly research is exemplified by our graduate programs,” said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. “As a doctoral university with high research activity, UNCW will continue to grow with quality as we add master’s and doctoral programs in fields where demand for workers with advanced degrees is great.”

For this ranking, U.S. News considered graduate programs that are not conducted exclusively online. The MBA and education rankings were based on academic and institutional data submitted by the schools, as well as peer assessment. The public administration program was ranked based on peer assessment. 

“We’re very pleased that our graduate programs are getting national recognition for their quality and value,” said Graduate School Dean Christopher Finelli. “Our faculty and staff excel at offering programs that enhance students' professional and personal development, advance scholarship, and meet critical needs in the community, state and nation across a broad range of fields.”

Guided by its Strategic Plan, UNCW continually develops and refines academic programs to prepare students for careers in emerging industries and fields in which skilled employees are in high demand.

Elevated to “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2018, UNCW debuted at 92nd on the U.S. News list of Top 100 Public National Universities for 2020. The change in status from a master’s-level institution came after years of recognition as a top-10 public regional university in the South by U.S. News. UNCW also ranks 8th nationally on U.S. News & World Report’s list of 2020 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs.

The university has also been recognized by other major ranking organizations. UNCW is ranked 32nd nationally for in-state students and 36th for out-of-state students on Kiplinger’s Best Public College Values 2019 list. In addition, UNCW was named a Best Southeastern School by The Princeton Review and was one of only four UNC System schools featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2020, which highlights the nation’s “best and most interesting” colleges and universities. 

This announcement comes on the heels of news that UNCW has named Dr. James J. Winebrake as the new provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, replacing Marilyn Sheerer, who will transition to the Watson College of Education. He has served since 2011 as Dean of the College Liberal Arts at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.

-- Tricia Vance

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