College of Education and Human Development

CEHD Achieves High U.S. News Rankings for Online Education Programs

Once again, the master’s in education programs offered by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at George Mason University received high marks as they climbed in the rankings of the newly released 2024 U.S. News & World Report listing of the nation’s best online graduate programs in education. CEHD’s online offerings in education are rated as being in the top fifty in the country with an overall national ranking of 45 among all public and private universities and a ranking of 40 among public universities for the category of “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs.” This represents a significant increase from last year’s ratings of 52 and 47, respectively.

Commenting on today’s announcement of the U.S. News & World Report rankings, CEHD Dean Dr. Ingrid Guerra-López stated, “These rankings are a testament to the strength of our degree programs, the talent of our faculty, the excellence of our student body and their aptitude for rigorous coursework. Our year-over-year rise confirms and reinforces our ongoing commitment to innovate and grow to meet the needs of today’s workforce.”

Online Master’s in Special Education Programs Offered by CEHD are Among the Best in the Nation

Among the specific categories for which CEHD saw substantial gains was that of “Best Online Master’s in Special Education Programs.” The college ascended to number 8 within this category in both the national listing of all public and private institutions and in the listing of public universities, a jump from last year’s ranking of No. 11 for both listing types. This year’s ratings place CEHD’s online special education offerings into an elite group of the top ten online programs in the nation, inclusive of both private and public universities.

The consistently strong ratings earned by the college’s online offerings in special education reflect the high regard with which this program is held—one of the many reasons why the program has attracted students seeking the skills and knowledge that will qualify them for a fulfilling career as a special education professional. Dean Guerra-López emphasized the critical role of Mason’s special education program in meeting the challenges of the ongoing nationwide shortage of special education teachers. “It is essential to provide high-quality and highly accessible opportunities for those preparing to support individuals with disabilities if we are to draw new people to the field and retain them for long-term success,” she said.

U.S. News Rankings Demonstrate the Commitment of CEHD and Mason to Military Veterans Entering the Education Profession

Within the U.S. News & World Report category of “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs for Veterans,” the college moved up to No. 14 in both the national rankings and in the rankings for public universities. Mason shares its Northern Virginia location with a significant population of military veterans who are establishing careers in civilian life, and many are opting to enter the teaching profession. CEHD has long honored its promise to veterans who live in Northern Virginia and other areas of the country to help them achieve their professional goals in education. Dean Guerra-López elaborated, “Veterans have unique needs as they transition from military service to higher education, and we are uniquely committed, as a college and also as a university, to meeting those needs. No matter where they are located, veterans can pursue a first-class, affordable online degree at Mason, supported by faculty and staff that are committed to their success.”

Latest Rankings are Reflective of the Scope and Breadth of CEHD Education Programs and Research

For the category of “Best Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs,” the college secured a spot at number 17 both nationally and among public universities, thus placing it within the ranks of the top twenty programs in this course of study. The ranking achieved by the college is indicative of the scope, breadth, and quality of the many online education graduate programs and concentrations that CEHD offers, tailored to fit the specific career interests of its students. It is also a mirror of the extensive research housed within CEHD and conducted by renowned faculty who are well-respected within their specialties, which has led to significant improvements and innovations in education as well as a steady pipeline of highly qualified educators who teach in the Northern Virginia area.

“We know that one third of the teachers and one half of administrators in Northern Virginia are Mason graduates, and we are so proud to support this community with skilled, diverse, equity-driven, and well-prepared professionals,” Dean Guerra-López stated. “We work collaboratively with school divisions, community organizations, government, and other partners to support education as a way to ensure our community thrives.”