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(February 8, 2017)

The University of North Georgia's (¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ) online programs in political science and nursing earned the first and sixth spots, respectively, in national 2017 rankings for value and affordability.

"These rankings are a testament to how we strive to bring high-quality and affordable education options to students who cannot take traditional courses due to high demand in other areas of their lives," said Dr. Irene Kokkala, director of ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's division of distance education and technology integration.

¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Associate of Arts in core curriculum with a pathway to political science and Master of Arts in international affairs earned the university the number one spot on the from SR Education Group, which produces the Guide to Online Schools.

"We are able to bring these effective and efficient programs directly to students wherever they are; we currently even have students outside the U.S.," said Dr. Craig Greathouse, associate head of ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's Department of Political Science & International Affairs. "Those in our online programs have an opportunity to get a degree from a fully accredited university while learning from full-time faculty who also teach in-person classes. We have excellent economic value compared to other online programs, and our graduates leave very well prepared for their next venture, be it professional or academic."

The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program was named sixth among the by College Choice, an independent online college guide. Because the program is built to transition working RNs into a BSN degree, faculty face the challenge of offering personalized student advising to working adults returning to school. The three-semester online program helps graduates to quickly move forward in their professional fields.

"The nursing department at ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ offers an affordable, ACEN accredited RN to BSN program for current registered nurses who desire to further their career with a BSN," wrote College Choice. "Graduates will be ready for professional nursing practice in primary, secondary and tertiary settings, and care for individuals, families and communities as clients. Unlike many RN to BSN programs, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's program allows students the option of either taking core courses along with required RN-BSN nursing courses or following completion of the nursing course work."

Demand for online programs continues to grow. According to a 2014 study by the Babson Survey Research Group, which has tracked online learning trends in U.S. higher education since 2001, about 5.3 million students took at least one online course in fall 2013. In 2016, ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ was also named one of the Most Affordable Online Colleges in Georgia by OnlineColleges.net.

¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ now offers 14 fully online programs: four master's degrees, one bachelor's degree, three associate programs, three teaching certificate endorsements, and three certificate programs.

¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ's entire core curriculum can also be completed online through eCore, a statewide initiative that allows colleges and universities within the ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ to collaborate on in-demand courses and offer them in an accelerated online format to students at their respective institutions. ¹ú²ú×ÔÅÄ also provides other courses that are offered online or as hybrid options that combine some online coursework with a traditional classroom component.