Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM) and Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN) have once again been named among the “Best Graduate Schools” in the country by U.S. News and World Report magazine.
The School of Medicine is ranked at No. 15 among the nation’s elite programs in the magazine’s 2017 rankings, which were released today. The School of Nursing is ranked No. 13, tied with the University of Pittsburgh, for its master’s program and No. 10, tied with the University of Michigan, for its doctor of nursing practice program.
To determine scores, U.S. News & World Report uses a ranking methodology for schools, which arrives at a weighted average across eight indicators.
Programs within the Health Disciplines categories, such as Nursing, Audiology, Clinical Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology, are ranked by a different methodology involving program directors and faculty. Audiology was No. 1, Nurse Midwifery No. 1 (tied with two other schools), Speech-language Pathology No. 1 (tied with one other school) and Clinical Psychology No. 16.
Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, said the rankings are reflective of the strong commitment to educational excellence on the part of Vanderbilt faculty, students and staff.
“Not only are our medical students outstanding and highly competitive in every way with their peers at other top schools, the nurturing and guidance they receive from the faculty and staff who support our educational mission consistently makes our School of Medicine among the nation’s most sought-after learning environments,” Balser said. “I want to congratulate our Medical School faculty, staff and students, along with the School of Nursing and our programs categorized as Health Disciplines by U.S. News on these rankings.”
Linda Norman, DSN, R.N., Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing and dean of the School of Nursing, said she is proud of the school’s continued strong showing among the nation’s top programs.
“Our continued strong rankings are a reflection of the commitment to academics, practice and research made by our faculty, staff, students and alumni. I am honored to be a part of this special community of compassionate, intellectual and resourceful members who have come together to build, reshape and fortify the School of Nursing for today’s students and for future generations,” Norman said.
Among Nursing Specialty disciplines, the School of Nursing’s Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program ranked No. 3; Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, No. 3; Nursing Informatics program, No. 4; Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, No. 4; Family Nurse Practitioner program, No. 5; and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, No. 6.
Several other Vanderbilt programs were ranked in this latest edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools, including:
• Peabody College of Education and Human Development — No. 5;
• Vanderbilt School of Law — No. 16;
• Owen Graduate School of Management (Schools of Business) — No. 22; and
• Vanderbilt School of Engineering — No. 36.
This latest edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools book will be available in print April 5.