Kelley ranks third nationwide for online programs

In September, IU launched IU Online, an $8 million program investment during the next three years, committed to extending the University’s global reach.

U.S. News and World Report released their Best Online Education Program rankings Tuesday. The Kelley Direct online MBA program, School of Education and School of Nursing at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis were among them.

“IU has dozens of online programs,” said John Applegate, IU executive vice president for University regional affairs, planning and policy. “They were developed to coordinate programs and build strong foundations.”

Applegate said the programs have been successful because they have been able to engage students online. Students do not just sit and listen to lectures, but they interact with faculty and other students.

“All of our professors have at least 14 years of teaching experience,” said Philip Powell, faculty chair of the Kelley Direct MBA Program professor. “Students engage faculty with video conference, chat and asking questions. There is a person to person component.”

The Kelley Direct MBA program started 14 years ago with a class of 19 people. Powell said they started it because they knew there would be a demand for it and they are always looking for ways to better serve the students.

Since 1999, 1,474 students have earned Kelley MBAs through the program, and about 275 people are now graduating from the program each year.

Associate Dean of Information Technology in the Kelley School of Business Ash Soni said when they launched the program they were way ahead of the game. He said they saw a population of students who did not want to come back because they were already well into their careers, and that is why they saw the program as a positive addition. Also, online programming allows IU to enroll students from all around the world.

Powell said the Kelley Direct MBA Program is the poster child for success in regard to moving online and using technology to benefit students.

“Our goal is to be number one,” Powell said. “Number three is good, but our goal is to become number one. We do that by helping students achieve their dreams and career goals and you don’t do that through classrooms only.”

Even though none of the programs were ranked No. 1, Applegate said he was proud of the programs and looks forward to their progress. Soni said he likes their No. 3 position, but they are working on improving.

He said they were looking at curricula and student services in the online space. For example, he said they offer technology support services for 21 hours a day, but they were going to try to increase it to 24 hours a day. In addition, he said he wants to “beef up the global offerings.” The MBA program has taken students to China and South Africa among others.

He said he wants to increase the social interaction projects because it is “great experience for the MBA students.”
“We have some really terrific programs and the recognition was well-deserved,” Applegate said. “This is the tip of the iceberg for online programming.”

Soni also said they deserved the recognition.

“We work very hard to make the program the best possible, and this ranking validates that we are doing the right thing,” Soni said. “This program is the future. We are pleased with where we are going.”