Rankings & Recognition

Nationally Ranked Programs. Award-winning Faculty. Transformative Impact.

What national rankings, awards, and recognition distinguish the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions? 

The University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions combines nationally ranked academic programs with award-winning faculty, known for their leadership roles in national professional organizations and impactful research.

In 2026, the college earned high rankings for its graduate education, rehabilitation counseling, nursing, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and educational leadership programs from U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. The college’s faculty members received top national awards, leadership appointments, and scholarly distinctions.

2026 U.S. News & World Report Rankings

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Graduate Education Programs

The 2026 Best Education Schools rankings named the college’s graduate education programs

46th

Best among public institutions

57th

Best overall



Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration

In the Counselor Education and Supervision Program

Ranked No. 33 nationally

The college trains rehabilitation counselors to help individuals with disabilities set and achieve their personal and career goals.

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Occupational Therapy Program

Ranked No. 59 nationally

The doctoral program combines the research and clinical expertise of Arkansas’ flagship land-grant university and premier medical institution.

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Communication Sciences and Disorders Program

Ranked No. 92 nationally

The master's program develops expertise in speech, language, swallowing, and hearing disorders through research, clinician training, and community service.

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The Princeton Review Rankings


Eleanor Mann School of Nursing students train in the simulation lab.

The Princeton Review recognized two of the college’s programs for excellence in online education:

“A” grade for Teacher Preparation


woman teaching

The college’s undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program earned an "A" from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ).

The recognition highlights how effectively the program equips future educators to teach reading to elementary students. A child's ability to read proficiently in the early grades shapes everything that comes next in school and in life. The program was commended for implementing evidence-based literacy practices proven to help students become successful readers. The college’s efforts align with the state's focus on K-12 literacy.

 

Awards & Accolades

The college’s faculty members consistently win prestigious awards and accolades, which reflect their impactful research and scholarship.

Key recognitions in 2026 included:

Significant Awards

Dr. Julie Hill, an assistant professor in the Counselor Education and Supervision program, received the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association's Rehabilitation Counselor Educator of the Year Award.

Dr. Julie Hill, an assistant professor of counselor education, received the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association's Rehabilitation Counselor Educator of the Year Award.

Dr. Thomas Kippenbrock, a professor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, was honored with a 2026 Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award by the Arkansas Center for Nursing.

Dr. Thomas Kippenbrock, a professor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, was honored with a 2026 Arkansas Nursing Legacy Award by the Arkansas Center for Nursing.

Dr. James Sinclair, an assistant professor of special education, was recognized with the Council for Exceptional Children Division for Research's Martin J. Kaufman Distinguished Early Career Research Award.

Dr. James Sinclair, an assistant professor of special education, was recognized with the Council for Exceptional Children Division for Research's Martin J. Kaufman Distinguished Early Career Research Award.

Dr. Claretha Hughes, a professor of human resource development, earned the R. Wayne Pace Book of the Year Award.

Dr. Claretha Hughes, a professor of human resource development, earned the R. Wayne Pace Book of the Year Award from the Academy of Human Resource Development.

Dr. Sheri Deaton

Dr. Sheri Deaton, a teaching assistant professor of career and technical education, received the 2026 Association for Career and Technical Education's National Postsecondary Professional of the Year Award.

Marilou Shreve

Dr. Marilou Shreve (middle), an associate professor of nursing in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

Board Appointments and Editorships

Dr. Kristi Perryman, a professor of counselor education, received the Association for Play Therapy Research Award.

Dr. Kristi Perryman, a professor of counselor education, assumed her new role as chair of the Association for Play Therapy board of directors.

Dr. Kristi Perryman, a professor of counselor education, received the Association for Play Therapy Research Award.

Dr. Gema Zamarro, a faculty member in the Department of Education Reform, was named an editor of the Education Finance and Policy journal.

Unique Distinctions

Five faculty members from the Department of Education Reform were named among the 200 most influential education scholars in the nation, according to Education Week's 2026 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.

Five faculty members from the Department of Education Reform were named among the 200 most influential education scholars in the nation, according to Education Week's 2026 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.

Dr. Carrie McDermott, executive director of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, was selected for an Advancing Academic Leadership for Deans fellowship.

Dr. Carrie McDermott, executive director of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, was selected for an Advancing Academic Leadership for Deans fellowship.

Sheida K. Raley, an assistant professor of special education, was named a 2026 fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Dr. Sheida K. Raley, an assistant professor of special education, was named a 2026 fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.