Eastern Michigan University’s graduate programs received national attention on Apr. 7 after being named among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings. The master of occupational therapy program rose to No. 41, the College of Education entered the top 100 at No. 82 with an 86-spot increase, and speech-language pathology was ranked No. 123.
The rankings are based on expert assessments, statistical indicators, and student outcomes, reflecting both academic quality and practical training opportunities for students.
Jennifer Kellman-Fritz, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, said: “Being highly ranked is a wonderful tribute to our graduate program and EMU’s 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.”
Ryan Gildersleeve, dean of EMU’s College of Education, also commented on the achievement: “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.” The college maintains strong partnerships with K–12 school districts as well as community organizations across Michigan.
According to the official website, Eastern Michigan University prepares students to make significant contributions to society through its educational focus while offering more than 200 undergraduate majors and minors alongside various graduate programs. The campus features historic architecture along with modern facilities designed for student success according to university information. National recognition has been achieved for several programs across different fields as reported by EMU.
James Smith served as president at Eastern Michigan University according to university records. The university continues its emphasis on delivering an outstanding educational experience that builds critical thinking skills for meaningful societal contributions according to its official site.