Marywood University Launches Online Program Building on the success of its existing biotechnology programs and meeting emerging educational and professional needs within this growing science industry, Marywood University is launching a completely online biotechnology master’s degree program. Featuring a competitive, affordable pricing structure for all students, along with the convenience and flexibility of asynchronous online learning, the 32-credit program will be ready to begin in June 2023. The program cost will be $515 per credit, making it one of the most competitively priced graduate biotechnology degree programs in the Northeast region of the U.S. Marywood’s M.S. degree program in biotechnology is the only graduate program of its kind in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including a two-year master’s program or a five-year bachelor’s to master’s program, with emphasis on either a research track or a business/entrepreneur track. Marywood University has had a professional science master’s program in biotechnology since 2006, but this new, completely online program format “meets students where they are and offers greater flexibility as well as affordability,” said Deanne Dulik Garver, Ph.D., associate professor of science and chairperson of Marywood’s science, mathematics, and computer science department. Marywood’s interdisciplinary graduate degree in biotechnology blends modern science education with communication skills, management and business understanding, and analytical reasoning. Featuring MBA-level courses, a master’s degree in biotechnology is considered the scientific equivalent of the MBA, with emphasis on cutting-edge science. Additionally, a master’s degree in biotechnology greatly enhances admissions qualifications for students who eventually plan to apply to medical, dental, or veterinary programs. The present market for scientists with an M.S. Biotechnology degree is strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that biomedical research is growing at a rate of 17 percent (2020 through 2030 period)—double the average growth across all occupations. Dr. Lisa Antoniacci, associate professor of science, oversees the work of Megan Hedgelon, who graduated from Marywood’s five-year B.S. to M.S. Biotechnology program in 2022. Building on the success of its existing biotechnology programs and meeting emerging educational and professional needs within this growing science industry, Marywood University is launching a completely online biotechnology master’s degree program. Featuring a competitive, affordable pricing structure, along with the convenience and flexibility of asynchronous online learning, the 32-credit program will be ready to begin in June 2023. For more information about Marywood University’s master’s program in biotechnology, visit marywood.edu/biotechnology-masters-degree or contact Marywood University Admissions by email at GoGrad@marywood.edu or by phone at 570-348-6234.
University of Scranton Online Programs Among Best in Nation U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 “Best Online Graduate Programs” ranked The University of Scranton’s online master’s degree programs in business (excluding MBA) at No. 55 and its online MBA program at No. 98 in the nation. U.S. News also ranked Scranton at No. 65 in the country for “Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans.” This is the 11th consecutive year that U.S. News ranked the University’s online programs among the best in the nation. The methodology used by U.S. News to determine the ranking has changed several times throughout the years. For the 2022 Best Online Programs ranking, which published January 25, U.S. News reviewed statistical information submitted by schools. The ranking criteria differed by category. The criteria used by U.S. News to rank online business and MBA programs included student engagement (30 percent), which looked at graduation rates, class size, one-year retention rates, and best practices such as accreditation by AACSB International, among other factors. The ranking criteria also included peer reputation score (25 percent); faculty credentials and training (15 percent); admission selectivity (15 percent); and student services and technology (15 percent). In addition to offering distance education programs that incorporate coursework that is predominantly online, colleges and universities making the “Best Online Program for Veterans” list must have ranked in top half of 2022 Best Online Program rankings; be regionally accredited; be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program; and enroll a “critical mass of veterans” as defined by U.S. News based on the size of the college. Scranton offers online MBA degrees in general business, accounting, business analytics, enterprise resource planning, finance, healthcare management, human resources, international business and operations management; master’s degrees in accountancy, business analytics, finance, health administration, health informatics and human resources and a dual MBA/MHA degree, in addition to graduate certificates. For technology, recruitment and marketing support, the University partners with Wiley for the online programs. In other rankings published by U.S. News, Scranton has been ranked among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 28 consecutive years. Scranton is ranked No. 5 in the 2022 edition of the guidebook. U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 14 in its category for “Best Undergraduate Teaching.” U.S. News also ranked Scranton No. 14 in its category in its “Best Undergraduate Teaching” listing of the top colleges in the nation expressing “a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching,” among other rankings.