U.S. News and World Report ranks VCU Engineering online graduate program among best in nation
Jumping 30 spots to be ranked 22 by U.S. News and World Report, the online Master’s program in the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has demonstrated great success with working professionals.
“The success of the program is always thanks to the faculty willing to teach online late in the evenings, sacrificing their personal time without a direct incentive but for the benefit of the program, and staff who make sure students and faculty have the support they need,” said Karla Mossi, Ph.D., Professor and Graduate Program Director for the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. “I’m grateful for the unwavering commitment these people have for our students. Local businesses in the Richmond area are also important for their desire to prioritize continuing education for employees.”
Online Master’s programs at VCU Engineering are committed to student success, as evidenced by high graduation rates and positive feedback from students and corporate stakeholders. “The Technical Graduate Program (TGP) partnership between Newport News Shipbuilding and VCU has been nothing short of amazing in my mind, as has Dr. Mossi’s support and sponsorship of the program,” said Matthew Burris, Engineering Department Head at Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News Shipbuilding.
Customizing the delivery mode to meet a student’s needs is a unique strength of the program. A synchronous online cohort model with class times geared toward working professionals is one model available to corporations, contributing to the program’s high graduation rate of 94%. Partnering with local industry, the College of Engineering currently supports cohorts from companies like Newport News Shipbuilding, the largest manufacturing company in Virginia.
Many classes are at night in order to cater to the growing number of working professionals enrolled in the program. Staff and professors are also available outside traditional business hours to answer questions on topics that can range from registration to course material.
In its 13th year, the U.S. News Best Online Programs is designed for individuals looking to complete or further their education. This year’s edition evaluates more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs using metrics specific to online learning. The rankings only include degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.
The Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering provides undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to perform real-world research as soon as they enroll. From applying material science to additive manufacturing techniques to optimizing coolant systems for nuclear reactors and more, students gain understanding of many important engineering topics. Browse videos and recent news from the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering