College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Six Western Kentucky University graduate programs have been ranked among the best in the country in U.S. News and World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings, released Tuesday (March 29).

WKU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program was ranked No. 71 in the nation. The program is designed to prepare nurses who are already working in the field to become leaders in nursing practice and administration. The program has two tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Executive. Students can pursue the degree on either a part-time or full-time basis.

The Nursing Master of Science (MSN) graduate program at WKU was ranked No. 107. The College of Health and Human Services offers a Master of Science in Nursing that builds upon the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and seeks to develop expertise in advanced nursing practice. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (MSNS) concentration is for individuals who wish to be certified as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. The innovative MSN-Masters Entry Professional Nursing (MEPN) allows a student with a previous baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing to obtain an MSN degree and become eligible for licensure as a registered nurse.

WKU’s education graduate program was ranked No. 131. The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is home to WKU’s nationally recognized clinical preparation programs which focus on the community’s future teachers, counselors, psychologists, and leaders. Graduate degrees, including those at the master’s and doctoral level, are offered in Advanced Teacher Education, Counseling and Student Affairs, Educational Leadership, Gifted Education and Talent Development, Instructional Design, Literacy Education, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, Special Education, and Teacher Education.

U.S. News ranked WKU’s Master of Social Work (MSW) No. 140 in the nation. The program at WKU is available to working professionals as well as recent college graduates and prepares them for a career as social work practitioners in a variety of contexts, including individual, family, group, organizations, and community. The program emphasizes professional and scholarly service to the community, state, and nation.

Also making the list was WKU’s Master of Public Health (MPH), which was ranked No. 160 in the country. The program is part of a field that seeks to protect and improve the health of families and communities through the promotion of healthy lifestyles, research for disease and injury prevention, and detection and control of infectious disease. WKU’s MPH degree prepares students for a wide range of health-related professions.

Rounding out the list of ranked WKU programs was Public Affairs at No. 170. The Potter College of Arts & Letters (PCAL) is home to WKU’s nationally recognized Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. The MPA program prepares graduate students for a variety of leadership positions in federal, non-profit, local, and state organizations.

Dr. Robert “Bud” Fischer, WKU’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said the rankings reflect the hard work of WKU’s faculty and staff across the institution. “The fact that multiple programs across several academic colleges appear in this year’s rankings affirms the work that we’re doing to make sure we’re offering the educational opportunities that students need beyond their undergraduate degrees,” Fischer said. “I am extremely proud of the collective efforts of our faculty and staff to provide relevant graduate programs that are among the best in the nation.”

Dr. Ranjit Koodali, WKU’s Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Education, noted that these rankings reflect the institution’s commitment to providing high-quality and accessible graduate education opportunities.

The Best Graduate Schools rankings are based on survey data gathered from academic professionals nationwide, as well as statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research, and students.  

Contact: Jace Lux, (270) 745-4295

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.