EMU Graduate Programs Named Among Best in Nation

Eastern Michigan University’s (EMU) graduate programs earned national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings, with several programs making significant gains. EMU’s master of occupational therapy program climbed 12 spots to No. 41, the College of Education broke into the top 100 for the first time at No. 82—an 86‑spot leap—and speech‑language pathology ranked No. 123.

U.S. News evaluates graduate programs using a weighted mix of expert assessments, statistical indicators, and student outcomes.

“Being highly ranked is a wonderful tribute to our graduate program and EMU’s College of Health and Human Services,” said Jennifer Kellman‑Fritz, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “Our students receive outstanding training both in the classroom and through their clinical work. This recognition highlights our exceptional faculty and staff, who are critical to preparing the next generation of occupational therapy professionals.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 17.5 percent through 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Eastern offers two pathways to the occupational therapy degree, emphasizing interprofessional education and collaboration across programs. 

Ryan Gildersleeve, dean of EMU’s College of Education, said the ranking reflects the extraordinary impact of faculty and staff who are committed to innovative academic programs and meaningful learning experiences.

“This ranking reflects our faculty’s commitment to innovative learning, scholarship, and outreach necessary to meet the challenges of this moment in education,” said Gildersleeve. “We have aligned our priorities and resources in order to establish our value in the community, and it is the strength of our partnerships combined with the commitment of our faculty and staff that enabled the kind of impact reflected in this ranking.”

EMU’s College of Education maintains strong partnerships with K–12 school districts, intermediate school districts and community organizations throughout Michigan. These collaborations provide students with hands-on clinical experiences while helping address the state’s ongoing demand for qualified educators.