The University of Montevallo's College of Education and Human Development online graduate education programs have risen from No. 97 to No. 73 in U.S. News & World Report's national rankings of Best Online Graduate Programs for 2024. UM is again ranked among the top 75 programs nationally and in the top four in Alabama.
U.S. News & World Report evaluated 345 schools (nine of which were not included in the rankings) and ranked universities' online graduate education programs in five weighted categories.
Engagement (30%): Quality online graduate education programs give aspiring teachers and education administrators the opportunity to casually interact with instructors and classmates. Faculty Credentials and Training (20%): Good online programs employ instructors with academic credentials comparable to those of campus-based programs and have the resources to train these instructors to teach distance learners. Peer Evaluation (20%): Surveys of senior education officials help uncover intangible factors that influence program quality that statistics don't capture. Services and Technology (20%): Programs that incorporate a variety of online learning technologies allow students greater flexibility in taking classes from a distance. Student Excellence (10%): A student body that enters with demonstrated aptitude, ambition, and track record is able to meet the demands of rigorous coursework.
U.S. News evaluates each program in these categories by selecting factors called ranking indicators. A program's score on each ranking indicator is calculated using data that the program reports to U.S. News in statistical and peer evaluation surveys.
Dr. Jennifer Alexiou Ray, Dean of the University of Michigan School of Graduate Studies, said she is proud that the School of Education and Human Development has been named the best online graduate education program in the country and is thrilled that the rankings recognize the University of Michigan's commitment to teaching and learning.
“UM has a high-quality education program that excels in preparing educators,” Ray said, “and we are enhancing the online experience with students by creating a collaborative digital environment where students feel connected to their peers and professors.”
UM CEHD offers online programs in Applied Instruction, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, P-12 Education, and Instructional Leadership. The newest Applied Instruction Master's degree offers majors in Early Childhood STEAM, Educational Psychology and Research, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Language and Literacy, and Exercise and Nutrition Science. These new majors offer a wide range of areas of interest to individuals in a variety of educational settings.
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that help consumers, business leaders and policymakers make better-informed decisions on important issues that affect their lives and communities.
The University of Montevallo offers several scholarships for prospective students interested in graduate study. To learn more about UM's online graduate programs, click here.
