Citadel online business programs rank top 50 nationwide

As seen in the Charleston Regional Business Journal, by Robi Lyle

Photo above: Students participate in a military dress parade at The Citadel. (Photo/Provided)

The results are in for U.S. News & World Report’s lists of best online programs in the country, and The Citadel’s Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business comes in top 50 in two different categories.

The business school’s online MBA program ranked No. 37 in the nation on the list of Best Online MBA Programs, while the online bachelor’s program ranked No. 26 for Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs. Advertisement

The new rankings mark the fourth consecutive year that The Citadel’s online business programs have been ranked as the best in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report.

“It is gratifying to see how our focus on helping students succeed – by providing relevant courses taught by faculty with a combination of industry experiences and outstanding academic credentials – has resulted in so many positive outcomes for the graduates of the Baker School of Business,” said Michael Weeks, dean of the business school, in a statement.

The rankings also mark an improvement of 51 spots for the online MBA program in just one year, reflective of a time when universities across the country are improving their online education offerings in response to the pandemic.

For Abigail Showalter, an MBA student who plans to graduate from The Citadel in May, the virtual format allows her to accomplish her to-do list on her own timetable.

“I have a pretty set schedule with work, and I’ve learned how to gauge how much time I need to spend studying,” Showalter said in a statement. “The online format definitely makes it flexible to decide where and when you want to study. In some ways, it’s like a remote job.”

Within the MBA program, The Citadel also emphasizes flexibility of course content.

“Our online MBA offers flexible capstone experiences, designed to directly support interests in executive decision-making, entrepreneurship or consulting skill development,” said Todd Drew, director of MBA and College Transfer Programs, in a statement. “Online students also benefit from a variety of student support and networking experiences, including access to career and professional coaching.”

The Citadel’s business programs are offered through three departments, including accounting and finance, management and entrepreneurship and marketing, supply chain management and economics.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings for best online programs are limited to non-cadet student programs, given that cadets enrolled in the business school attend classes on campus.