U.S. News & World Report has ranked six UNT College of Health & Public Service graduate programs in the top 10 in the State of Texas for 2024. The Department of Public Administration M.P.A. program came in at No. 1 in Texas and No. 8 in the nation in local government management – holding steady with last year’s rankings. UNT also holds its prestigious spot at No. 4 in the state and is No. 76 overall among the 271 public affairs graduate programs ranked this year.
“I’m very proud of our exceptional faculty and staff, along with our outstanding alumni and boards who have helped grow the reputation of our programs,” said Simon Andrew, chair of the Department of Public Administration. “It truly is an honor every year to be ranked so highly by our peers and to know that our efforts do not go unnoticed.”
In the homeland security and emergency management category, HPS remains top in the state, and came in at No. 5 overall. UNT has long been a pioneer in emergency management education, having established the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program in 1983 – more than 40 years ago. Today, HPS offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in the Department of Emergency Management & Disaster Science (EMDS). The MPA program, within the Department of Public Administration, collaborates with EMDS and offers a specialization in emergency management.
In the Department of Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology, the Doctor of Audiology program tied for No. 3 in Texas, ranking No. 55 overall. The Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology also landed a spot in the top 10 in the state – ranking No. 6.
“While we know rankings aren’t everything, it’s always an honor to be recognized by outside entities for our continued dedication to excellence in research, education and service,” said Nicole Dash, dean of the college. “Our mission is to develop leaders who advance a healthy, equitable and just society, and these top rankings speak to the high quality of our programs, expertise of our faculty and ability to provide our students with a top-tier education.”
The master’s in rehabilitation counseling in the Department of Rehabilitation & Health Services is also a top-ranked program, sitting at No. 1 in the state and No. 13 overall based on 2023’s numbers – the last time it was reviewed. The department offers three other graduate programs including the highly successful new Master of Science in Health Data Analytics, a Master of Science in Health Services Administration and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences with a choice of three concentrations – Applied Aging and Rehabilitation Science, Behavioral Analysis and Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology.
HPS also offers graduate programs in behavior analysis, criminal justice and social work, as well as 10 undergraduate programs, multiple grad-track pathways and online certification programs. For more information on the College of Health and Public Service and any of its degree programs, visit hps.unt.edu.