‘U.S. News’ ranks TU graduate programs among best in nation

By Rebecca Kirkman on March 29, 2022

The “U.S. News & World Report” 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings placed Towson University graduate programs in education and information technology among the nation’s best.

TU ranked No. 103 among public institutions in the Best Graduate Education Schools list for the College of Education (COE) and No. 133 among public institutions in the Best Computer Science Doctoral Programs list for the Doctor of Science in information technology.

“These national rankings confirm what we all know here at Towson University: Our rigorous graduate programs are taught by world-class faculty and are among the very best in the country,” President Kim Schatzel says. “TU is addressing tomorrow’s technology and education challenges today with graduates prepared to lead.”

“U.S. News” evaluated graduate education schools on research activity, academic excellence of entering students, faculty resources and opinions on program quality from education school deans and school hiring professionals. 

TU is among only four Maryland institutions on the 2023 Best Graduate Education Schools list, joined by Johns Hopkins University; University of Maryland, College Park; and Salisbury University. The recognition comes shortly after “U.S. News” ranked COE No. 46 among the best online education master’s programs earlier this year.

“Providing excellent graduate programs is essential to meet the education challenges of our time,” says COE Dean Laurie Mullen. “Our faculty’s dedication to expanding and diversifying our programs while engaging in research, mentorship, professional development and leadership displays its commitment to students and their future success.”

COE prepares educators for the future of education and to advance equity in schools through innovative programs such as the post-baccalaureate certificates in online learning and teaching, global citizenship in education and community engagement and leading school change.

Each year, “U.S. News” ranks professional school programs in business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing. Beyond the six major disciplines ranked annually, it also periodically ranks programs in many other fields. 

In 2023, the publication released fresh doctoral program rankings in the science fields of math, statistics, biological sciences, computer science, chemistry and earth sciences.

In the Fisher College of Science & Mathematics, the doctorate in information technology program prepares students to become professors, scientists and entrepreneurs through a broad scope of research areas within computer science, information systems and information technology. 

"We are thrilled that our program is being recognized by ‘U.S. News.’ We owe this to the dedication and hard work of our graduate students, faculty and staff,” says Michael McGuire, associate professor and department chair of computer & information sciences. “This recognition will continue to allow us to attract high-quality doctoral students and will provide a boost to the research profile of TU in the computing and information sciences."

TU is one of only four schools in the state to appear in the doctoral computer science program list, including University of Maryland, College Park; Johns Hopkins University and UMBC.

Earlier this year, the master’s in applied information technology ranked No. 64 in the publication’s Best Online Master in Computer Information Technology Programs, and, TU ranked No. 177 among the Best Computer Science Graduate Schools in the most recent ranking in 2018.

In its most recent Best Health Schools list, released in 2020, “U.S. News” ranked TU No. 29 in occupational therapy, No. 40 in audiology and No. 82 in speech-language pathology. The university was also recognized as one of the top graduate fine arts schools in the country in the most recent Best Art Schools list, ranked at No. 158 in 2020.

The recognition from “U.S. News” comes on the heels of a 4.5-ribbon ranking for leadership in LGBTQ+ inclusion from Campus Pride Sports Index earlier this month. Learn more about TU’s recent rankings and achievements.