March 14, 2017

Schools of Medicine, Nursing continue to rank among nation’s elite

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.

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.

VUSM is No. 14 among the nation’s elite programs in the magazine’s 2018 rankings, which were released today. In the Schools of Medicine Specialties category, VUSM’s Internal Medicine program is ranked No. 10.

VUSN is ranked No. 15, tied with the University of California, Los Angeles, for its master’s program, and is ranked No. 11 for its Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

To determine scores, U.S. News & World Report uses a ranking methodology for schools of medicine that arrives at a weighted average across eight indicators. For schools of nursing, both rankings — masters and doctorate — are based on a weighted average of 14 indicators.

“Although but one measure, each year these rankings reflect our longstanding commitment to excellence. Efforts undertaken to redesign the school’s curriculum continue to garner national attention, offering our students a diverse and innovative learning environment where they are nurtured by outstanding faculty,” said Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., President and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dean of the School of Medicine.

Linda Norman, DSN, R.N., Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing and dean of the School of Nursing, said that it is an honor to be ranked among the best nursing schools in the country.

She credited the school’s faculty, students, staff and alumni for making VUSN a strong and relevant nursing school.

“The School of Nursing plays a vital role in assuring that advanced practice nurses are well-equipped for the changing world of health care,” Norman said. “Our DNP program is graduating doctorally prepared leaders who can translate new knowledge and discovery to improve health systems. These rankings reflect VUSN’s part in shaping the future of health care in our society.”

Among Nursing Specialty disciplines, VUSN’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program ranked No. 2; Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program, No. 2; Pediatric Nurse Practitioner-Primary Care program, No. 3; Nursing Informatics program, No. 4; Family Nurse Practitioner program, No. 6; and Adult Gerontology-Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program, No. 7.

To determine specialty program rankings for schools of medicine, U.S. News ranks specialty programs based solely on assessments by deans and senior faculty at peer schools who identified up to 10 schools offering the best programs in each specialty. For schools of nursing, specialty rankings are based solely on assessments by nursing school deans and deans of graduate studies who identified up to 10 schools offering the best programs in each specialty area.

The graduate programs in Health Disciplines did not receive new rankings this year. In 2016, Vanderbilt’s Audiology program was ranked No. 1; Speech Language Pathology, No.1; Clinical Psychology, No. 16, and Nurse Midwifery, No. 1.

Other Vanderbilt programs ranked in this latest edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools include:

  • Peabody College of Education and Human Development — No. 7;
  • Vanderbilt School of Law — No. 17;
  • Owen Graduate School of Management (Schools of Business) — No. 25; and
  • Vanderbilt School of Engineering — No. 36.

The latest edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools book will be available in print April 11.