UofL health science schools rise in 2018 U.S. News rankings
The University of Louisville School of Nursing and School of Medicine both jumped in U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2018. The rankings were released on March 14 and are available at www.usnews.com/grad.
The School of Nursing’s “Best Nursing Schools-Master’s” ranking saw a significant increase — 12 points — rising to 76th this year from 88th in 2017. The school ranked 68th in 2016.
“We are thrilled our graduate program is recognized for excellence and rigor,” said School of Nursing Dean Marcia J. Hern, Ed.D., C.N.S., R.N. “Our graduates become nurse leaders who meet evolving health care demands by using evidence-based advanced practice knowledge to improve outcomes of diverse patient populations.”
The master's program is ending, with the final class graduating in May. UofL’s new doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program now accommodates students seeking an advanced practice nursing education. The transition aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s call to increase the level of preparation necessary for advanced practice nursing roles from the master’s degree to the doctoral level.
Launching in August 2016, the DNP program focuses on development and use of evidence-based care, management of care, leadership in health care organizations, and development and implementation of health policy.
In the category of “Best Medical Schools-Research,” the UofL medical school ranks 73rd, five points better than 2017 and 10 points better than 2016.
In the category of “Best Medical Schools-Primary Care,” UofL ranks 88th, a four-point drop from last year but still nine points higher than 2016’s ranking of 97th.
“I am so gratified by this recognition of the effort put forth by everyone at the UofL School of Medicine,” said Toni M. Ganzel, M.D., M.B.A., dean of the medical school. “For the past four years, we have made significant investments in upgrading our instructional facilities, enhancing and modernizing our curriculum and strengthening wherever possible our research enterprise. This ranking is a symbol that shows we continue to be on the right track in meeting the medical needs of our state, nation and world.”
In addition to medicine and nursing, U.S. News ranks graduate education programs annually in business, education, engineering and law. The magazine also periodically ranks programs in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, the health arena and other areas as identified by academic experts.
The rankings are based on two types of data, according to the magazine’s statement of methodology: expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students.
March 14, 2017
