In developing its part-time MBA program, George Mason University concentrated on accommodating the demands of a student’s busy lifestyle.
“Our niche is working professionals in this region,” said Paige Wolf, assistant dean of graduate programs in the School of Business. “We’ve focused on serving those students for a few years in terms of our program delivery and admissions policies, and feel that this approach is aligned with the university’s broader mission of accessibility and maximizing our impact on the region.”
It is paying off as George Mason’s part-time MBA program is tied for 53rd nationally, of 301 institutions, in the 2018 U.S. News & World Report rankings of the best graduate schools, a healthy jump of 21 positions from last year.
Several Mason programs made notable gains.
The Antonin Scalia Law School is tied for 41st nationally, a jump of four spots. Its part-time law program remains tied for fourth.
“This is another indication of the tremendous positive momentum we have here at Scalia Law,” said David Rehr, senior associate dean and professor of law. “This marks our 17th year as a top-50 law school and is a reflection of our exceptional faculty, terrific career services and outstanding students. We have a great proximity to Washington, D.C., so our students can experience a legal education available in few places.”
The Volgeneau School of Engineering's graduate programs in Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) are ranked 27th by U.S. News & World Report for 2018 in the category of Industrial/Manufacturing/Systems Engineering. Last year they were ranked 32.
The nursing program in the College of Health and Human Services rose to a tie for 73rd from a tie for 84th, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program is tied for 54th, a jump of four places.
The public administration program in the Schar School of Policy and Government remained tied for 41st nationally. The education program in the College of Education and Human Development is ranked 62nd. History is ranked 44th. (For all of Mason's rankings, go here.)
It was the jump of the part-time MBA program, however, that was the most dramatic. Peer assessment (50 percent of the score) and average student work experience (15 percent) were the most improved components of its ranking.
“Looking at the past few years we’ve moved up and up and up,” said Jackie Buchy, the School of Business’ assistant dean for graduate enrollment. “It shows we are continuing to add value to the program and continuing to grow.”