For three consecutive decades, Michigan State University has been heralded as the best in the nation for graduate programs in elementary and secondary teacher education.
The accolade comes from the 2024 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Education Schools, which named MSU as No. 1 in the nation in five educational program areas. This is the first time this many MSU programs have held that recognition.
“This is an incredible honor, which calls attention to Spartans’ long-standing commitment to teaching, learning, research and outreach,” said Jerlando F. L. Jackson, dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor of Education. “It highlights the work of so many throughout our college over the last 30 years — faculty, students, alumni and staff — who have dedicated their careers to improving education for all.”
In 2024, nine education program areas are named in the nation’s top 10, another first for MSU.
The full list of MSU College of Education programs listed in the 2024 U.S. News edition of Best Education Schools:
- Elementary teacher education – No. 1
- Secondary teacher education – No. 1
- Curriculum and instruction – No. 1
- Educational administration – No. 1 (up from No. 2 the previous year)
- Higher education administration – No. 1 (up from No. 2 the previous year)
- Rehabilitation counseling* – No. 2 (last ranked in 2023)
- Educational psychology – No. 4 (up from No. 5 the previous year)
- Education policy – No. 6 (up from No. 10 the previous year)
- Special education – No. 9 (up from No. 11 the previous year)
Overall, MSU is tied for No. 21 in the nation, holding the same ranking from the previous year.
The rankings are assessed based on statistical and reputation data directly from education schools. The specialty, or program area, rankings are created based on nominations from education school deans and deans of graduate studies at education schools. The overall rankings are calculated from research activity, including expenditures, number of doctoral degrees granted, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate and more.
Additional accolades
MSU’s leadership in education is echoed in other rankings, such as the annual Best Online Master’s Programs rankings, also by U.S. News & World Report. In 2024, MSU was named No. 7 overall and had four program areas listed in the nation’s top five. MSU is also recognized globally. In 2023, three international rankings organizations named MSU in the top 20 for education.
The U.S. News rankings celebrate MSU’s expertise across areas education disciplines. In addition, MSU’s doctoral program in kinesiology is also rated as among the best, ranked No. 11 in the country, according to 2023 rankings by the National Academy of Kinesiology.
For Jackson and others in the college, the prominence in the rankings also points to a university-wide commitment that extends far beyond three decades of rankings. It illustrates how others nationwide see MSU as a catalyst for change.
“Every day, Spartan educators exercise their commitment to making a difference in real classrooms,” said Jackson. “Our faculty and students work alongside partner schools, administrators, teachers and fellow colleges of education to tackle the educational challenges of today and tomorrow. Our work is grounded in the idea that we can advance equitable, inclusive, rigorous and engaging education by working together.”
*Rehabilitation counseling programs are listed in the U.S. News Best Health Schools rankings, last updated in 2023. These accolades are not updated annually.