MOUNT PLEASANT, MI--(Marketwire -02/01/12)- A pioneer in distance learning since 1971 with more than 50 locations in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Central Michigan University is now making its mark in online education.

U.S. News and World Report, in its first-ever Top Online Education Program rankings, gave CMU high marks in a variety of areas including student engagement and assessment, student services and technology, and faculty credentials and training.

Merodie Hancock, vice president of CMU's Off-Campus and Online Programs, says the rankings provide independent affirmation of CMU's long-time focus on student success and service.

"The continued growth of CMU's online programs, both in increased course offerings and student enrollment, reflects CMU's commitment to providing learning environments that are of the best academic quality while offering flexibility and faculty engagement that meets the educational needs of our students," said Hancock.

Highlights of the rankings for CMU, which offers nearly 200 online bachelor's degree programs and 170 online master's degree programs, include:

#3 ranking for student services and technology for online graduate business programs. #3 ranking for student engagement and accreditation for online graduate education programs. #10 ranking for student services and technology in online bachelor's programs, #11 ranking for student engagement and accreditation in online graduate business programs, and a #20 ranking for student services and technology for online graduate education programs.

"The success of CMU's alumni, which includes top military leaders, executives of the country's leading businesses, top educators and administrators at all levels of government are testimony to the focus CMU places on helping its students succeed," said Hancock.

Notable alums include Gen. Norton Schwartz, current chief of staff of the Air Force; Michael Orris, chief procurement officer for Rolls-Royce; Vivien Crea, Vice Admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard; and Scott Bernard, federal chief architect.

The high ratings in technology reflect CMU's focus on making online learning accessible, interactive and engaging for students so they can complete a rigorous online program and experience the same academic environment as students in a traditional classroom setting said E. Gary Shapiro, CMU's executive vice president/provost.

"Technology combined with faculty who bring real-world experience to the educational setting is another testament to CMU's ongoing commitment to providing faculty who are responsive and engaged with their students regardless if it is online or in a face-to-face setting," said Shapiro.

Central Michigan University is one of the country's 100 largest universities with more than 28,000 students enrolled on its main campus in Mount Pleasant, Mich., its more than 50 locations and online.

Select locations include Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; Detroit; Camp Pendleton, Calif.; the Pentagon; Toronto; and Guadalajara, Mexico. For a complete list of CMU locations refer to the attachment.

For more information about CMU visit go.cmich.edu.

For additional news from Central Michigan University, visit the CMU Media Channel at media.cmich.edu.

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CMU's Online Programs Ranked Among the Best