The University of Alabama at Birmingham has been named one of 2020’s best schools nationally for online learning for public health and nursing by EduMed.org.
EduMed.org researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and from the schools themselves. Its data science team then ranked all qualifying schools for each health care discipline. Primary data points include:
- Number of online programs in subject area
- Online program tuition and fees
- Access to academic counseling
- Access to career placement services
- Number of online students
- Percentage of students with institutional aid
To qualify for a ranking, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject.
Specifically, the School of Public Health’s Master of Public Health degree ranked second among similar programs across the country. The School of Nursing’s Master of Science degree and R.N. programs were ranked in the top 50 in their categories.
“Our eLearning and Professional Studies team has developed a dynamic approach to helping faculty and students in the online learning environment,” said UAB Provost Pam Benoit. “In partnership with talented faculty, this team has designed quality face-to-face, hybrid and online courses and programs.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, UAB’s eLearning and Professional Studies office supported faculty and staff with instructional design services, media production services, academic technology tools and training, and continuing education/professional studies offerings. In March 2020, when UAB courses moved online in response to the pandemic, the eLearning team assisted faculty with course design and technology through online workshops and one-on-one assistance.
“We are fortunate to work with a faculty body so adept and creative,” said Pam Paustian, Ph.D., executive director of eLearning and Professional Studies. “We are proud of the schools of Public Health and Nursing for being recognized in EduMed.org’s ranking. We offer support, but the faculty members are interacting with students online and ensuring the highest-quality education. It is a good partnership.”
EduMed.org was established in 2018 to support higher education in health care. Its free resource materials and expert-driven guidebooks help students find scholarships, financial aid and top degree programs in nursing, health care administration, public health, and dozens of other key medical and health disciplines. Since the site’s official launch in 2019, EduMed.org has been featured by more than 100 premier colleges and universities across the country.