Jan 14, 2017 09:27 AM EST By Amanda Foster, UniversityHerald Reporter

Dough Shackelford, the dean of the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School and a Meade H. Willis Distinguished Professor of Taxation, says that he is proud of the fact that their MBA and MAC programs are successful and has gained rankings as one of the nation's best online degree programs.

According to Anita Narayan, the managing editor of Education at U.S. News, she explained that online education is new but is growing in popularity. It caters to the needs and wants of many people. It offers flexibility when it comes to location, work schedule and even home situations.

For those who are unable to commute, are unable to accommodate the hours because of a full-time job plus other responsibilities, an online degree is helpful for those looking to continue or get their higher education.

While it does not offer the same feel as being in a classroom or lecture environment, it still provides its students the ability to communicate with their professors, and provides access to educational materials.

In North Carolina, in terms of ranking, the University of North Carolina ranks number four when it comes to its online MBA program. It also ranked number 22 for its Master of Accounting online program for non-MBA graduate business programs.

Duke University ranks number 3 for its online graduate program for Nursing and number 24 for engineering. North Carolina State University has ranked number 18 for its online MBA program. It also ranks sixth for its online graduate program in Computer Information Technology; 29^th for its education program; and ninth for its engineering program, as reported by U.S. News & World.

Charlotte, NC universities also made it to the rankings. Queens University took the 61^st spot for education online, 119^th for best online MBA and 102^nd for its nursing program. While temple University's Fox School of Business takes the top spot for the third year in the row, as reported by Business Journal.

Want to know more about some universities in North Carolina? Watch University of North Carolina's #UNCWithMe video below:

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