The quality of two graduate-level programs – one in educational psychology and the other in law – has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report.
For the second consecutive year, the educational psychology program at UNLV was named among the top 25 specialty programs in the nation, according to an annual survey by U.S. News & World Report. Out of 241 schools with doctoral degrees in education that responded to the magazine’s survey, UNLV’s program ranked 21st, tying with two other universities. Rankings are based on criteria such as research activity, doctoral students’ GRE scores, and faculty awards.
“The effectiveness of homework, how to teach climate change, and online test-taking versus traditional pencil and paper exams are just a few examples of research areas faculty and graduate students are investigating,” says Paul Jones, chair of the educational psychology department. “This ranking is an indication of our research mission and our commitment to produce highly qualified scholars and clinical practitioners locally and nationally.”
Educational psychology is a longstanding program at UNLV and offers master’s and doctoral degrees as well as a specialist degree in school psychology. Students are prepared for professional careers as university teachers, researchers, and mental health care providers in the school and community.
U.S. News & World Report also recognized the quality of the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV. The school moved up 13 spots to 75th – its highest rank ever. The move constitutes a 25-place improvement in the past two years for the law school, which was established just 11 years ago.
“The law school – with new, innovative programs and top faculty to lead them – is continuing the momentum that began with a solid foundation. The U.S. News rankings of law schools are but one indication of our continued success at building a world-class faculty and cutting-edge program of legal education,” says John V. White, dean of the law school. “The law school’s achievements in recent years are many, and, irrespective of recognition of outside rankings, we are proud of our work to provide students with an excellent legal education that emphasizes academic rigor, professionalism, skilled representation, and community service.”
The Boyd School of Law received special acknowledgement from U.S. News for several of its programs, including its Lawyering Process Program, which maintained its ranking as the third best program of its kind, and the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution, which was ranked the nation’s ninth best dispute resolution program.
