The University of Georgia’s graduate and professional programs are some of the nation’s best, according to a 2024 edition of “Best Graduate Schools” from the U.S. News and World Report. Several other UGA schools, programs and specialties were among the top 10 rankings, a UGA Media Relations press release reported.
“UGA’s graduate and professional students enjoy a world-class experience thanks to our renowned faculty, innovative career development programs and next-generation research and instructional facilities,” S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, said in the release. “This year’s exceptional rankings reflect the university’s continuing investments in these and other strategic areas of graduate and professional education across all disciplines on our campus.”
U.S News and World Report’s graduate rankings are published separately from undergraduate rankings and are based on surveys of academic leaders. For select programs, additional quantitative measures such as placement test scores, student/faculty ratios, research expenditures and job placement success are taken into account. These rankings are just a small portion of UGA’s programs. UGA enrolls more than 10,000 graduate and professional students in more than 200 doctoral and master’s programs, according to the release.
“As we further strengthen and expand our graduate programs, we will continue to see increased benefits accruing to our graduate students, their fields and their communities,” Ron Walcott, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate school, said in the press release.
UGA’s School of Public and International Affairs ranked fourth, up three places from 2023. The school is tied for second in the nation among public institutions . Three SPIA programs were also in the top five: leadership at No. 2, public finance at No. 3 and local government management at No. 5.
Other notable colleges in the ranks include the College of Pharmacy ranking No. 15 in the nation, UGA’s School of Law ranking No. 20 in the nation and No. 7 among public institutions, the School of Social Work ranking at No. 20 nationally and No. 10 among public institutions and Terry College of Business ranking No. 27 nationally and No. 9 among public institutions.
Mary Frances Early College of Education ranked No. 30, moving up one spot from last year. Several of their programs also ranked in the top 10. The school counseling program ranked No. 1 in the nation. Other programs that ranked include curriculum and instruction at No. 8, elementary teacher education at No. 10 and secondary teacher education at No. 10.
The higher education administration program in UGA’s Louise McBee Institute of Higher Education ranked No. 7 in the nation, continuing its status of top 10 ranking since 2007.
“As the flagship university in Georgia and one of the nation’s leading public research universities, UGA is committed to excellence in graduate and professional education,” President Jere W. Morehead said in the release. “Our outstanding graduate and professional programs are training scholars and leaders who are helping UGA advance every aspect of our mission for the benefit of our state, nation and world.”