Led by two first-time appearances, a multitude of West Virginia University graduate programs are among the tops in their field in rankings released this week by U.S. News & World Report.

For the first time, the magazine’s widely viewed rankings included the doctor of nursing practice and petroleum engineering. WVU’s doctor of nursing practice program debuted in the top 100 at 82 while the petroleum engineering program was tied for 12th.

“Recognition of these outstanding programs is a testament to WVU’s commitment to provide opportunities for graduate education in areas that address contemporary needs both within and beyond the state,” said Katherine Karraker, associate provost for graduate academic affairs.

This year’s nursing rankings are the first time the magazine has separate master’s and doctorate nursing programs; WVU’s master’s program continued in the top 100 at 98.

“This ranking is a wonderful recognition of the quality of our program, faculty and students,” said Tara Hulsey, dean of the School of Nursing. “The need for highly skilled, advanced practice nurses in today’s healthcare environment is growing, and students of our doctor of nursing program gain extensive knowledge and skills needed to improve care for our diverse patient population, as well the experience needed to serve in leadership roles in various healthcare environments.”

Other WVU programs included in this year’s updated rankings are:

• Aeronautics/aeronautical/astronautical, 42 (tied)
• Audiology, 53(t)
• Chemical engineering, 88(t)
• Civil engineering, 81(t)
• Clinical psychology, 57(t)
• Education, 99(t)
• Electrical/electronic/communications engineering, 123(t)
• Engineering, 105(t)
• Fine arts, 98(t)
• Industrial/manufacturing/systems engineering, 66(t)
• Law, 97(t)
• Mechanical engineering, 109(t)
• Medicine (primary care), 70
• Medicine (research), 86
• Occupational therapy, 126(t)
• Pharmacy, 36(t)
• Physical therapy, 79(t)
• Public affairs, 115(t)
• Social work, 103(t)
• Speech-language pathology, 92(t)

The magazine does not rank all programs each year. Previous rankings of WVU programs are:

• Biological sciences, 175(t)
• Chemistry, 117
• Clinical psychology, 42
• Computer science, 112(t)
• Earth sciences, 110(t)
• English, 106(t)
• History, 118(t)
• Math, 134(t)
• Physics, 111(t)
• Psychology, 78(t)
• Rehabilitation counseling, 37(t)

Also, online programs are released separately. WVU’s current rankings of online programs are:

• Online MBA, 36(t)
• Online master’s of education, 89(t)
• Online master’s of nursing, 54(t)

In the undergraduate rankings released last fall, WVU ranked 98 among public universities.

-WVU-

jb/03/17/16

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