National rankings highlight excellence across UTA

UTA programs earn national acclaim in U.S. News & World Report graduate school rankings

Tuesday, Apr 09, 2024 • Neph Rivera : contact

Photo of student dressed in commencement cap and gown waving

Three University of Texas at Arlington graduate programs ranked among the top 60 nationally in the 2024 Best Graduate School rankings from U.S. News & World Report, highlighted by a No. 31 national ranking, out of 170 universities, for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI).

CONHI’s MSN program jumped 23 spots from its previous ranking. The college sets the standard for nursing education in Texas as the largest producer of baccalaureate-degreed nurses in the state and one of the largest in the country. With a variety of graduate options, including registered nurse to MSN programs, professionals can take their careers to the next level, no matter where they are in their nursing journeys.

“The U.S. News & World Report's recognition of our MSN program is a testament to the outstanding faculty who lead and teach in the program,” said CONHI Dean Elizabeth Merwin. “Their contributions in educating the next generation of health care professionals deserve this recognition, and we are excited to take our graduate programs to even greater heights in the future.”

School of Social Work

UTA’s School of Social Work (SSW), which for over 50 years has been training the next generation of professionals looking to improve the lives of their clients, improved eight spots to No. 43 overall out of 319 schools. SSW trains professionals through education, interdisciplinary research and evidence-based clinical practice. The school has more than 12,000 alumni making a difference every day in government agencies and organizations, as well as creating and leading nonprofits, working in the military or in private practice and serving as deans, professors and directors in social work programs worldwide.

“The UTA School of Social Work has long been a leader in our field,” Dean Kirk A. Foster said. “Our increase in this ranking reflects the strength of our academic programs and the reputation we have as a research powerhouse producing social work leaders who are making a difference every day in communities throughout Texas and the country.”

College of Business

The College of Business also was recognized for its graduate program success. Its part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program was ranked No. 60 nationally out of 269 programs.

College of Business Associate Dean of Students and Programs Fernando Jaramillo touted the program’s flexibility as one reason for its success, as it offers 13 concentration options and the opportunity to take classes online or at the Arlington or Fort Worth campuses.

"Our MBA faculty and staff have worked incredibly hard to build a quality graduate program that competes nationally with other well-ranked programs and institutions,” Jaramillo said. “This ranking is a reflection of those efforts and the high-quality MBA students we have here at UTA.”

In addition, UTA’s public affairs graduate program, located within the College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, jumped up nine spots to No. 99.