U.S. News & World Report Ranks BSU Grad Programs for Excellence

Grad Programs in Education, Nursing, Computer Science & Public Administration Receive Honors

MEDIA CONTACT: Damita Chambers, dchambers@bowiestate.edu, 301-832-2628 mobile

(BOWIE, Md.) – Bowie State University’s graduate programs in education, nursing, computer science and public administration received recognition on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Graduate Schools, distinguishing the university’s success in preparing students for advanced career opportunities. The education and nursing graduate programs are among the six major fields of study included in the annual ranking.

The 2021 edition assesses the educational quality of multiple types of graduate programs at nationally accredited schools, including the top six in student enrollments: education, nursing, business, law, medicine and engineering. Each ranking uses different indicators of excellence across the fields of study to assess the quality of each program. One common success metric is both the preparedness of a school’s incoming students and the career or academic outcomes of a school’s graduates. U.S. News & World Report also publishes additional graduate schools rankings based solely on the opinions of academic experts, such as programs in public affairs, computer science and fine arts.

For the Best Education Schools list, the publication used 10 weighted measures in four categories: quality, student selectivity, faculty resources and research activity. The quality score includes assessments from peer programs and educational professionals. The ranking includes the top 253 schools offering doctoral education programs. Bowie State's graduate education programs include a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership[BROKEN LINK] and five master’s degrees in elementary education (M.Ed.), reading education (M.Ed.), secondary education (M.Ed.), special education (M.Ed.) and teaching (MAT)[BROKEN LINK].

The College of Education programs have maintained continuous national accreditation since 1954. Bowie State’s graduate education programs prepare educators for advanced positions as master educators, curriculum specialists and administrator roles in the K-12 school system and higher education institutions.

The Best Nursing Schools list ranks the best 236 accredited master’s degree in nursing programs. The publication evaluates the programs in seven weighed indicators in four categories: quality, student selectivity and program size, faculty resources and research activity. Bowie State’s master’s degree in nursing prepares professional nurses for advanced practice roles as family nurse practitioners and nurse educators, as well as doctoral study.

For the Best Computer Science Schools ranking, the publication used the average of peer assessment scores to rank doctoral programs that conferred at least five degrees from 2011-2015. The top 188 schools with the highest average ratings and at least 10 individual ratings appear in the ranking. Bowie State’s master’s degree and doctoral computer science programs prepares graduates for advanced careers in information technology fields and includes specializations in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence/machine learning and data science.

U.S. News & World Report developed its Best Public Affairs Schools ranking based on the highest average scores from peer surveys representing 276 master’s degree programs in public affairs and administration. At Bowie State, graduates from the accredited master’s degree in public administration (MPA) program prepares students for success as leaders in government, special interests/lobbying groups, nonprofit and professional organizations.

Inclusion in the annual U.S. News & World Report Best Grad Schools rankings reaffirms Bowie State’s commitment to providing a quality educational experience and strong career outcomes for graduates.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.