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Wilkes University Recognized for Distance Learning Efforts Amid COVID-19

Wilkes was named a tier 1 university by Educate To Career in its 2020 college rankings.

by Gabrielle D'Amico

Wilkes-Barre, PA (06/15/2020) — Wilkes University was ranked as a tier one institution in the latest rankings by Educate To Career. The rankings recognize a school's ability to "offer a quality education under any conceivable scenario: in-classroom, online and a blend of each format."

Schools are ranked in four tiers. With systems to deliver a full curriculum online and in-person, Wilkes is ranked in the highest tier. To be considered a tier 1 university, institutions must provide the following:

  • A physical campus for a return to in-classroom instruction;
  • Robust software and systems to support distance learning programs;
  • Faculty experience in teaching online;
  • Reasonable tuitions and fees on a relative basis.

"With the COVID crisis, everything has changed regarding college selection criteria… Schools that have systems and experience in distance learning, with a campus to support in-classroom teaching have the right formula for today," according to a statement on the Educate To Career website.

Wilkes has a long history of educating students online. Most of the University's two-dozen master's and doctoral programs are conducted in online and low-residency formats. This experience in online platforms and pedagogy allowed the University to react quickly during the pandemic, assuring students and faculty were equipped with the technology, training and ability to learn and teach online.

"When Wilkes made the necessary decision to transition to remote learning in March 2020, our faculty and staff responded in a collaborative way that allowed us to continue to deliver on our educational promise to students as seamlessly as possible," said University President Greg Cant. "We are all eager for our students to return to campus this fall. But we also know that we have the skills to continue our curriculum in online or hybrid formats as the health situation dictates."

Wilkes was also ranked #651 of more than 1,200 institutions for Economic Value Added. This ranking quantifies each college's record for improving the labor market outcomes by exploring workforce preparedness, maximizing earnings and employability. It considers the average net cost of the school, jobs and salaries of recent graduates and graduation rates.

Educate To Career is a nonprofit organization formed in 2013 that seeks to inform parents, educators, students and others on the cost of college, career outcomes and other important areas during the higher education planning process.

More information about the University's fall plans can be found at www.wilkes.edu/fall2020.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is a private, independent, non-sectarian institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, Wilkes is on a mission to create one of the nation's finest doctoral universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small college, open to all who show promise. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 46 majors, Wilkes offers 24 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

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