By Laura Gasque
In this year’s U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing continues its national reputation as a leader in nursing education across specialties. The School’s Master of Science in Nursing maintained its No. 10 ranking from last year and the Doctor of Nursing Practice ranked No. 11, up two spots from the previous year. Six graduate specialties also are ranked in the top 10.
“We are proud that our School and its programs are recognized in these rankings as among the best. Our faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters are committed to excellence and to setting our programs, pathways and specialties apart,” said UAB School of Nursing Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN. “Our future is bright with the next generation of nurse leaders led by our faculty who are providing innovative learning opportunities with a world-class education.”
Six of the School’s specialties in the MSN and DNP programs are ranked in the top 10:
- Master of Science in Nursing Administration – No. 5
- Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – No. 6
- Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner – No. 8
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner – No. 3
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – No. 4
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Leadership – No. 7
The School’s DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway also was ranked No. 29, the highest ranked program in the state.
Program rankings are based on a number of data points as well as a reputational assessment by nursing school deans and deans of graduate studies across the nation. Specialty rankings are based solely upon reputational assessments by these nursing education peers.
This academic year has seen an increase in other rankings as well. In the U.S. News & World Report 2024 “Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs” list, the School’s BSN Program is ranked No. 7 in the country, making it not only one of the highest ranked BSN programs nationally, but also the highest ranked in Alabama.
“Everyone has worked diligently to achieve excellence,” said University Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Linda Moneyham, PhD, RN, FAAN. “These rankings provide an opportunity to reflect on the great work and the dedication of our faculty, staff and students.”
The School also has increased its research funding and maintained a spot at the top of the National Institutes of Health funding rankings for U.S. Schools of Nursing, as published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. The School ranks No. 4 in the nation among public schools of nursing and No. 7 overall with $10.3 million in NIH research funding for fiscal year 2023. The School has an annual total of $20.5 million in all current research, clinical, education and training grants—the highest in the School’s history.
