Tara McLoughlin, Staff Writer
Saint Leo University’s online education program is praised for its superior excellence. Two 2013 rankings placed the online education system ahead of the pack. According to the Guide to Online Schools, Saint Leo University is rated at number 18 in the nation for the 2013 year, based on the program’s quality and reasonable price. The data was configured by The National Center for Education Statistics. The schools were ranked on their recommendation rates, cost of tuition, retention rate, repayment rate, and accreditation.
According to The U.S. News & World Report’s “2013 Best Online Education Report,” ranked Saint Leo’s undergraduate programs within the top four of the 237 programs regionally accredited for-profit, private, and public institutions that allow bachelor’s degrees through online degree programs.
When Diane Johnson, Assistant Director Center for Online Education, was asked about how she felt about the ranking, she was not surprised.
“I have been with the University for seven years and it is sensational,” she said.
She felt that the online education program was so successful because they focused on the students and student learning. Johnson also accredits the online program’s success to Saint Leo’s core values. Johnson believes that all of the core values apply to the online community.
She stressed that the most important thing that students should know is that the online courses that the students take are the same as the regular classes. The online courses that they offer also go according to the same master syllabi. Therefore, the only difference is the classroom.
When Johnson was asked about the great debate over online education versus the interactive classroom she felt that there was no argument. Johnson believes that online education is just as effective as the on ground classes.
“I think that learning can occur any place, any time. And there are lots and lots of studies.”
The common misconception about online education has been that it is not as effective as interactive classrooms because students do not have access to the teacher or proper instruction. However, Johnson does not agree with this notion.
“In some ways there is more interaction with the teacher. But it depends on how much the student reaches out,” she said.
So, those students who are worried about taking online classes should rest easy. Saint Leo’s online education program has spoken for itself. The current ranking proves that the program is of great quality.
