Less than a year after launching Tennessee’s first fully online Bachelor of Science in Communication and Information (BSCI) degree program, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has earned national recognition from Forbes Advisor. The publication named the program “Best for Flexibility” among online communications degree programs and ranked it ninth overall on its list of Best Online Communication Degrees of 2026.
Launched in fall 2025, the online BSCI program demonstrates the College of Communication and Information’s (CCI) commitment to expanding access to education at UT while preparing the next generation of communication and information leaders. Designed for students balancing careers, family responsibilities, military service, or other commitments, the online program offers flexibility for students to earn a degree across all four CCI schools, including, advertising, public relations, communication studies, journalism and media, and information sciences.
“Our goal is to make a University of Tennessee communication and information bachelor’s degree accessible to students across Tennessee and beyond,” said CCI Dean Joseph Mazer. “As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, we’re committed to expanding educational opportunities while ensuring every student experiences the academic excellence, faculty mentorship, and Volunteer spirit that define a CCI best-in-class education.”
The Forbes Advisor rankings evaluated more than 350 accredited nonprofit colleges and universities using factors including academic quality, affordability, student outcomes, return on investment, reputation, and student experience. UT’s online BSCI program was recognized for its fully online, asynchronous format, allowing students to complete coursework on a schedule that fits their lives.
The BSCI degree program is offered through Vols Online, UT Knoxville’s online learning platform. The growth and advancement of online programs are key to the university’s strategic vision, making high-quality degrees more accessible to adult learners who require greater flexibility.
“Congratulations to the College of Communication and Information on this well-earned recognition from Forbes Advisor,” said Bruce Behn, dean and CEO of Digital Learning, the university’s hub for discovery, learning, and engagement for fully online students. “It’s inspiring to see the BSCI program’s work celebrated on a national stage. At Vols Online, we’re proud to support programs like this because flexibility isn’t just a convenience. It’s what makes a degree possible for students balancing work, family, and everything in between.”
This flexibility has already enabled students nationwide to work toward their educational goals without sacrificing their connection to the Volunteer community.
Although coursework is completed remotely, students are encouraged to take part in experiential learning opportunities. Through networking trips, internships, research projects, and hands-on coursework, students are encouraged to apply classroom knowledge while developing professional relationships that will support their future careers. Earlier this year, BSCI students participated in the college’s Atlanta networking trip, where they visited leading media organizations, engaged with accomplished alumni, and explored diverse career paths within the communication industry.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition because it reflects CCI’s commitment to making a high-quality education accessible to students wherever life finds them,” said Alexis Anderson, CCI’s Assistant Dean for Online Learning. “Flexibility is about more than convenience; it’s about expanding access to opportunity. When students can pursue a degree without putting their lives on hold, they’re better positioned to achieve their goals, advance their careers, and make an impact in their communities.”
This recognition also highlights CCI’s continued investment in online education, continuing a tradition of excellence initiated by the long-standing online Master of Science in Information Sciences program. The college then expanded its collegewide online offerings in 2020 with the launch of the Master of Science in Communication and Information with a concentration in Strategic and Digital Communication, followed by the BSCI program.
In 2025, several CCI faculty members were recognized for their commitment to creating engaging online learning environments that foster collaboration, innovation, and student success. Those efforts continue to shape courses that provide online students with the same high-quality instruction, mentorship, and sense of community experienced by students on campus.
As the online BSCI program continues to grow, national recognition from Forbes Advisor affirms CCI’s commitment to expanding access to a best-in-class education. Through flexible learning pathways, hands-on experiences, dedicated faculty support, and the strength of the Volunteer network, the program removes barriers to higher education. The program empowers students to earn degrees that prepare them for meaningful careers in communication and information across Tennessee and beyond.