U.S. News Ranking Recognizes Graduate Schools of Nursing, Education, Business
The School of Nursing has been ranked No. 6 in the nation among the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs by U.S. News and World Report. The School of Education climbed up 35 spots, to No. 126 in the country, and the Donahue Graduate School of Business was recognized as one of the top part-time MBA programs in the country, No. 125—and both were among the top 10 programs in Pennsylvania.
The School of Nursing, which was ranked No. 7 in 2013, has advanced in its ranking. The ranking process considered the school’s 96 percent retention rate as well as considerations of the selectivity of the admission processes, service and technologies available, peer ratings, student engagement, faculty credentials and student indebtedness. This graduate program is offered entirely online.
“The latest U.S. News best online program ranking is a credit to the strength of our faculty and students, who make the Duquesne University School of Nursing one of the most innovative nursing schools in the country,” said Dr. Mary Ellen Glasgow, dean and professor of nursing.
The School of Education’s five Ph.D/Ed.D programs, previously ranked at 161, rose to 126 among the 356 doctoral-degree granting institutions surveyed. Methodology for the ranking included research activity, which was the most heavily rated factor, as well as quality assessment by other deans and directors of graduate-level education studies, school superintendents and those hiring the school’s graduates, and education experts familiar with the school. Student selectivity and faculty resources also were included.
“A core pillar of the School of Education’s identity is preparing educational leaders at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels,” said Dr. Olga Welch, dean of the School of Education. “To have our graduate programs rise 35 slots to be ranked 126th by U.S. News & World Report is an important quality indicator, especially as there are 1,760 schools and colleges of education nationally. We are proud that our graduate School of Education is among the top six highest ranked graduate schools/colleges of education in all of Pennsylvania.”
The Donahue Graduate School of Business soared from No. 181 to 125 in the 2015 U.S. News’ survey of 453 accredited master’s programs. Recruiters and company contacts as well as other MBA dean and directors rated programs on their quality. Placement success and student selectivity were among the other factors weighed in the ranking.
“It’s great to see our part-time MBA program moving up the national rankings,” said Dean McFarlin, dean and professor of management. “Students interested in a part-time MBA literally have hundreds of choices in our region alone, so we are proud that ours is among the top 10 highest ranked programs in all of Pennsylvania and among the top three in our part of the state.”