The University of Virginia Curry School of Education and Human Development’s online master’s programs have been ranked No. 3 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, up six spots from the previous year.

The rankings measure student and faculty engagement, services and technologies, faculty credentials, student excellence and expert opinion.

“Our continued rise in the rankings is a reflection of the high level of innovation by our faculty and the many ways our online offerings engage students in meaningful learning,” Curry School Dean Robert C. Pianta said.

The Curry School’s online portfolio includes four Master of Education degrees, an Education Specialist and a Doctor of Education, in addition to multiple online course series for endorsements and licensure.

In addition to the overall ranking, which rated more than 300 schools, U.S. News this year introduced four new sub-rankings in education specialties. Four Curry School programs were ranked in these individual categories:

• Curriculum & Supervision: No. 4.
• Administration & Supervision: No. 7.
• Special Education: No. 7.
• Media Design: No. 13.

The school’s online portfolio has seen significant growth in recent years. The Curry School has offered a variety of online courses for more than two decades and launched its first fully online degrees in 2015. In the fall of 2018, the school launched the Ed.D., its first online terminal degree.

Jenny Provo Quarles, director of online initiatives at the Curry School, sees opportunities for continued growth in the school’s online offerings.

“We are working diligently to identify additional degree and certificate programs that can be offered fully online,” she said.

In addition to academic excellence, Quarles pointed out the emphasis on the highly engaged virtual community among online students.

“What makes the Curry School’s online offerings unique is the supportive and personable community of faculty, staff and students,” she said. “Part of what enhances our online offerings is our strong virtual community. Online students are able to interact with peers, faculty and programming from anywhere in the world. We want every online student to develop the same relationships and network they would create if they were on Grounds.”

Details on Curry’s online offerings, including enrollment and application due dates, can be found here.