Written by Julie Jernigan, Staff Writer

Valdosta State can’t stop and won’t stop reaching new levels of achievement for education. VSU has once again ranked among the top schools in Georgia for exceptional online degree programs according to TheBestSchools.org.

The university was ranked number 5 on TheBestSchools.org due to the quality of programs, degrees offered, awards given, and reputation. Affordable Colleges Online also recognized VSU by ranking 15 out of 22 of the Best Online Colleges in Georgia, because of our rigor of courses, student support, and affordability.

U.S. News and World’s 2016 Best Online Graduate Education Programs list ranked VSU as 83 out of 267 public, private, and for-profit institutions.

“This ranking affirms our commitment to providing online programs that offer a high degree of student engagement, strong student services, diverse online learning technologies, and highly qualified faculty who are trained in online delivery,” Interim Dean Dr. Lynn C. Minor said. “Our educator preparation programs focus on using data for continuous program improvement to ensure our candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to positively impact the learning and achievement of their P-12 students.”

VSU offers more than 40 bachelors, masters, and doctoral online programs. Some majors are a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice, a Bachelor of Business Administration, a Master of Education, and they’re adding more each year. For example, beginning this fall they’re offering a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religious studies.

“Our programs integrate the flexibility of online programs with exceptional and student-focused faculty and support,” Meg H. Giddings, director of VSU’s Office of Extended Learning, said. “Ultimately our graduates earn a degree from a traditional institution that they know and trust.”