Three graduate programs in the College of Health Professions and Sciences rank in the top 25% of the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2024. The programs include the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Master of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
“These rankings underscore our commitment to excellence and our passion for preparing our students to serve as competent and compassionate healthcare providers,” says Founding Dean Christopher Ingersoll. “These programs have a longstanding reputation for high quality coursework as well as for delivering exceptional field experiences and clinical opportunities for students.”
With a ranking of No. 41, UCF’s DPT program broke into the top 50 for the first time bringing the young and growing program into the top 17% in the nation. The program rose 16 places since a ranking of No. 57 in 2021, the last time rankings were released for physical therapy.
Since its first doctoral cohort in 2010, the DPT program has consistently exceeded state and national averages in licensure pass rates and test scores. In 2022-2023, the program’s first-time National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) pass rate was 97.25% and the overall NPTE pass rate was 100%. On average, 94.5% of students secure post-graduation employment.
“I am immensely proud of our program’s remarkable ascent in the U.S. News & World Report rankings,” says William Hanney, professor and chair of the Division of Physical Therapy. “This accomplishment is a testament to the unwavering dedication and excellence of our faculty, staff, and students. It reflects our commitment to delivering top-tier education, advancing clinical practice, and shaping the future of physical therapy. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and strive for excellence as we further elevate our program’s impact and reputation in the field.”
UCF’s MSW program also made significant strides, jumping 12 spots to No. 67 in 2024 from No. 79 in 2021, placing it in the top 25% of all social work programs nationally for the first time. One of the most popular graduate programs at UCF, the MSW enrolls more than 500 students each year and offers both an exceptional in-person mode as well as a highly sought-after online program.
Students in the MSW program are thoroughly prepared for the workforce through a robust field education program, requiring them to complete 1,000 hours of field practicum to obtain their degree. The School of Social Work partners with more than 850 agencies in both the U.S. and overseas for students to complete their hours. Partner sites are comprised of nonprofit, government, healthcare and educational facilities. On average, 80% of students receive an offer of employment from their practicum sites.
“Moving up in the rankings is wonderful recognition from our peers that we have outstanding faculty, staff, and students,” says Matthew Theriot, Director of the School of Social Work. “I could not be prouder of everybody’s hard work and dedication across the School of Social Work to keep moving us forward. We are driven by our tireless commitments to student success, research excellence, and meaningful service that benefits people locally and globally.”
The college was also highly ranked for its graduate education in speech-language pathology, which is offered in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The Master of Communication Sciences and Disorders ranked No. 59 in 2024, again landing it in the top 25% of speech-language pathology programs in the nation.
One of the largest programs in the country, UCF’s Master of Communication Sciences and Disorders offers a comprehensive clinical education through a Communication Disorders Clinic that includes multiple specialty clinics and over 200 internship affiliations throughout Central Florida. Students in the program provide about 12,000 hours of speech, language and hearing clinical services to the greater Orlando community annually. The School also boasts five American Speech-Language-Hearing Association fellows on faculty.
“We are pleased with our strong and consistent ranking yet look forward to a robust positive trajectory thanks to UCF’s investment to broaden faculty expertise and enhance our research and clinical infrastructure,” says Ann Eddins, Director of the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “We know that the exceptional quality of healthcare training we provide for our students is transformational and will have a meaningful impact on the lives of those they serve.”
