CEHS degree programs continue to earn national acclaim



CEHS degree programs continue to earn national acclaim

14 Jan 2015     By Brad Stauffer

In the span of two months, four degree programs in the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have been recognized nationally for excellence. Most recently, TheBestSchools.org ranked the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders’ online master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood special education as the 7th ranked program nationally. 

According to their website, TheBestSchools.org selects degree programs for their rankings based on the quality of the program, types of courses provided, faculty strength as well as school awards, rankings and reputation.

“Students working toward a master’s degree in special education with emphasis in early childhood special education gain a wealth of practical knowledge and real experiences working with infants, toddlers and preschool children with special needs, their families, child care settings and preschools,” said Sherri Jones, department chair. “I am very impressed with the online course modules in many of the classes and the interactive nature of the courses.”

Earlier this month, U.S. News and World Report released its annual ranking for online graduate education programs. CEHS was ranked 5th nationally, behind only one other Big Ten institution. The number five ranking encompassed online graduate programs involving four CEHS departments: Child, Youth and Family Studies; Educational Administration; Special Education and Communication Disorders; and Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education.

“Distance education is an important part of our overall effort to provide high quality graduate education to students worldwide,” said Marjorie Kostelnik, CEHS dean. “We are pleased that our quality, diversity of programs, and convenience have been recognized.”

In November, TheBestSchools.org also named CEHS’s online master’s in higher education as the 2nd ranked such program in the country, behind number one Penn State. The program was selected based on academic excellence, types of available classes, faculty strength, rankings and reputation. The program at UNL is offered through the Department of Educational Administration.

Also in November, CEHS was notified that its Early Childhood Education in a Mobile Society bachelor of science degree, offered online through the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies and part of the Great Plains IDEA consortium, was ranked 18th by Affordable Colleges Online in its Best Online Teaching Degrees for 2015.

“This ranking from AC Online affirms the Early Childhood Education in a Mobile Society degree as a great option for students looking to make a difference with young children and families,” said Richard Bischoff, department chair for Child, Youth and Family Studies. “This program is especially suited for students who want to help families who are in highly mobile environments such as a military base.”

The college has additional programs that have been ranked by other organizations in the past year. A complete list follows in order of ranking.

Organization and link to ranking Category, Degree Program & Department Ranking
U.S. News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Programs for Veterans (Master’s – Department of Educational Administration) #2
TheBestSchools.org Best Online Master’s in Higher Education (Master's - Department of Educational Administration) #2
U.S. News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Programs (Master’s – Departments: Child, Youth and Family Studies; Educational Administration; Special Education and Communication Disorders; and Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education) #5
TheBestSchools.org Best Online Master’s in Special Education (Master’s in Special Education with an Emphasis in Early Childhood Special Education – Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders) #7
U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools – Speech-Language Pathology (Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders #17
Affordable Colleges Online Best Online Teaching Degrees (Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education in a Mobile Society - Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies) #18
U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools – Audiology (Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders) #36
U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools – Education (Department of Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education) #48

College of Education and Human Sciences