ULM placed in the top 25 in the country for the best online master’s degree program by TheBestSchools.org.

R.J. McCray described it as an easygoing program.

“It’s achievable for anyone trying to earn their master’s degree,” McCray, a kinesiology graduate, said. 

McCray graduated from ULM in May 2014, earning his B.A. with a concentration in fitness and sports industry. 

This fall is his first semester in ULM’s master’s program. McCray thinks ULM’s top 25 ranking for its online MBA program was well-deserved. 

“I wouldn’t doubt it one bit. I like it a lot and what makes it that much better is that it’s very convenient for my schedule,” McCray said. 

 McCray is a graduate assistant working in the sports marketing department of ULM. He expects to walk across the stage again in approximately two years. 

“Learning online is different than  in a classroom experience, but the material covered, participation required and the study time you put in is the same,” McCray said.

ULM offers 15 fields of study  in which to earn a master’s degree.

From primary to secondary education and from business to psychology, ULM has a diverse range of courses for students to earn a master’s online.

Online learning can be a helpful experience to some; but it does take planning and dedication from the learner.

The material given in ULM’s online master’s courses is the same quality as the material in the face-to-face course. 

Paula Thornhill said, “The key to earning your master’s is simple. ULM’s online MBA program offers master’s success in just five easy steps.” 

On the eULM Online Educational Center web page, Thornhill and staff provide tips to maximize students’ online learning experience so they can excel.

“The first key to earning your online master’s is to keep organized,”  Thornhill said, an online MBA program director.

Thornhill advises students to keep organized and maintain their calendar or planner.

“Your start is just as important as your finish,”  Thornhill said.

Thornhill encourages online students to speak up in their classes and ask questions.

“You are your own best advocate,” Thornhill said.

Another key listed is remembering to stay connected, always ensuring unlimited Internet access in order to meet deadlines, researching for assignments and communicating with peers and professors. 

“Online etiquette is essential in earning an online master’s degree, often referred to as ‘nettiquette,” said eULM Online Educational Center. 

The last key factor listed for success in online learning is believing that one can do it. According to eULM, achieving is believing.

 ULM created the eULM Online Educational Center as the home base for students seeking to earn a master’s degree online. 

“Students should be prepared to spend 5-18 hours a week on school work depending on course load,” said eULM’s Educational Online Center. 

A master’s degree generally requires a minimum of 30 hours. GRE scores must also be submitted during the application process for any graduate program.  

TheBestSchools.org is an online resource for campus and online education. They also said ULM is one of the most affordable. 

To enter ULM’s master’s program, one must have earned a bachelor’s degree. 

Degree programs are offered by the university’s seven colleges and the graduate school.