WSU’s online criminal justice degree ranks No. 1 in the nation, according to Criminal Justice Degree Online, a website that seeks out the best criminal justice degrees online throughout the nation and ranks the best and the worst.

“We try to provide a really excellent and personal service here,” said Richard Miller, communications coordinator at WSU’s Global Campus.

The website noted in its review that the department has the ninth highest graduation rate and the 12th highest retention rate of all online criminal justice programs.

As a part of their methodology, the website calls the departments anonymously to review the efforts of the counselors. This was another contributing factor in WSU’s ranking.

Emily Chandler, global admissions counselor, was mentioned by name in the review.

“I was surprised that spoke with a reviewer at all,” she said. “I was happy that we are doing a good job and I think that the credit goes to the faculty and also to the global campus in general.”

Arizona State University (ASU) ranked No. 2, followed by Sam Houston State University and Penn State World Campus.

Despite being more affordable and having a higher online ranking on US News, the website stated it did not feel ASU provided as strong a phone response as WSU.

The review also noted that schools with rankings with other organizations such as US News or Forbes also contributes to rankings.

According to US News, WSU ranks 21 overall in online degrees.

Chandler also said the school had no prior knowledge about this review and didn’t find out until one of her colleagues came across the review by happenstance.

“My guess is that they pose as students,” she said.