Baylor's Online MBA Moves Up in 2021 U.S. News Online Rankings

WACO, Texas (Jan. 26, 2021) – Baylor University's online graduate program that leads to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree continues to move up in the latest U.S. News 2021 Best Online Programs rankings released today.

The Online MBA in Baylor's Hankamer School of Business advanced two places to rank No. 45 overall among the U.S. News Best Online MBA Programs. Baylor's Online MBA also offers concentrations in cybersecurity, executive communication and marketing and is designed for working professionals who desire high education standards with a flexible schedule.

Master's programs in business administration are by far the most popular graduate business degree program. The U.S. News Best Online MBA programs are highly ranked programs that have strong traditional academic foundations based on the excellence of entering students, graduation rates and instructor credentials. They also excel at educating distance learners while providing robust career and financial support, according to the U.S. News methodology.

Using five categories, U.S. News ranked online MBA programs in Engagement (30%) between students and with their instructors; Expert Opinion (25%) through a survey of high-ranking academic officials at MBA programs; Faculty Credentials and Training (15%); Student Excellence (15%); and Student Services and Technologies (15%).

"Given the popularity and growth of online MBA programs nationally, the environment is very competitive, particularly within Texas. So, we continually focus on delivering quality that starts with the classroom experience and extends to providing opportunities for engagement and networking, and high-touch interactions with staff members," said Timothy R. Kayworth, Ph.D., associate dean for graduate business programs and professor of information systems at Baylor. "Quality has to do with providing students with the tools, frameworks and theories they can immediately apply in their respective jobs with tangible results. Our efforts appear to be paying off, as we've seen a spike in students from outside Texas. Many come from well-known companies seeking a Baylor Online MBA degree."

Kayworth said another key to success is providing students the opportunity to take specialized concentrations to supplement core MBA classes. Currently, Baylor's Online MBA offers concentrations in marketing, executive communication and cyber security with plans to launch a fourth concentration in Global Trade and Supply Chain Management in the summer of 2021.

"We also are very proud to note the diverse background of our student population which enriches the learning environment," he said.

As an area of focus in the University's Illuminate strategic plan, Baylor's growing graduate and professional programs, including online programs, provide non-traditional, innovative and transformational learning opportunities. In addition to the online MBA, Baylor offers online master's degree programs in communication sciences and disorders, litigation management, journalism, school leadership, computer science, public health and social work, and online doctoral programs in executive nurse leadership, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery and pediatric nurse practitioner, physical therapy, education (learning and organizational change), occupational therapy and social work.

For more information about Baylor's online programs, visit www.baylor.edu/online.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.

ABOUT HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

At Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business, top-ranked programs combine rigorous classroom learning, hands-on experience in the real world, a solid foundation in Christian values and a global outlook. Making up approximately 25 percent of the University's total enrollment, undergraduate students choose from 16 major areas of study. Graduate students choose from full-time, executive or online MBA or other specialized master's programs, and Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research.

The Business School also has campuses located in Austin and Dallas, Texas. Visit baylor.edu/business for more information.