Two University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate programs have been named to U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 list of Best Graduate Schools for Health. 

UA Little Rock’s graduate program in rehabilitation counseling ranked 47th while social work ranked 96th.

As part of the release of Best Graduate Schools 2020, U.S. News & World Report published new rankings for graduate schools of health care management, physician assistant, public health, rehabilitation counseling, social work, and veterinary medicine. The rankings are based on peer assessment surveys of deans, administrators, and other faculty members at accredited degree-granting graduate programs in each discipline.

“Whether you’re looking to pursue a degree in law, medicine or business, the Best Graduate Schools rankings offer the in-depth data and information you need to start your search,” said Anita Narayan, managing editor of education at U.S. News. “You can compare data on factors that most interest you – whether that’s how many law students pass the bar and are employed at graduation, or the student-faculty ratio and research expenditures at engineering schools.”

Rehabilitation counselors help patients overcome physical, mental, emotional, and developmental disabilities and work in a variety of treatment and rehabilitation centers. UA Little Rock’s Rehabilitation Counseling program is a fully accredited online graduate program that prepares students to promote quality rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities through a pre-service and in-service education program that provides qualified, certified rehabilitation counselors to work in public and private agencies.

In an advanced social work curriculum, students take courses in social welfare policy, human behavior and ethics, balanced with hands-on experience in clinical settings. The UA Little Rock School of Social Work builds on a strong generalist foundation to prepare graduates for leadership roles in clinical practice and in management and community practice within the social welfare system in Arkansas.

“Since joining the program, I have become intimately familiar with the distinctive aspects which justifiably set us apart,” said Stephen Kapp, director of the School of Social Work. “Our innovative curricula offers face-to-face and online options that suit the needs of our busy, diverse student population. Courses are taught by dedicated teachers composed of our permanent faculty and adjuncts from the community. All of our faculty share an understanding of best practices in their respective areas and a close connection with the local/state practice community. Finally, the school’s integral connection with the social work profession in Arkansas, supported by our talented alum, provides an excellent environment for the education of our students.”