FROM STAFF REPORTS

MONTEVALLO – The University of Montevallo’s online graduate education programs in the College of Education and Human Development received high marks from U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Education Programs national rankings.

Montevallo’s online graduate education programs rank 54th in the country. This marks an improvement of 19 ranks from the previous year. UM also ranked in the top four among Alabama institutions, as well.

Dr. Jennifer Alexiou-Ray, the executive director of graduate studies at UM, gave comment on the recognition received.

“We are proud of the hard work of our faculty, staff and students in our online education programs,” Alexiou-Ray said. “At Montevallo, we strive to create a community of learners in our online programs to enhance the student learning experience in P-12 classrooms across the state.”

U.S. News & World Report assessed 345 schools as part of their survey. Nine of the schools did not receive rankings, and each program was assessed using five weighted categories: engagement at 30 percent, faculty credentials and training at 20 percent, peer assessment at 20 percent, services and technologies at 20 percent and student excellence at 10 percent.

UM’s College of Education and Human Development offers online programs in applied instruction, elementary education, secondary education, P-12 education and instructional leadership. Beginning in fall 2025, the college will offer a Master of Education in special education for kindergarten through sixth grade and sixth grade through 12.

To learn more about UM and its graduate programs, visit Montevallo.edu/grad.