U.S. News & World Report released its annual national rankings of graduate schools of education on March 10, with the Neag School of Education ranking No. 31 in the nation, up two slots this year from No. 33.

Among public graduate schools of education, Neag ranks at No. 21, up from No. 24. University of California, Irvine, also a public institution, is tied with the Neag School.

The 2016 U.S. News rankings also ranks several of the Neag School’s specialty programs among the top in the nation:

• Special Education, No. 14
• Educational Psychology, No. 16
• Educational Administration and Supervision, No. 18

The methodology used for the U.S. News rankings of specialty programs differs from overall rankings, in that the former are based solely on nominations by education deans and education school deans of graduate studies.

“While there are a number of different types of rankings systems in use today, we remain incredibly proud of the strength of our programs here at the Neag School and of the recognition we have received in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings,” says Dean Richard Schwab. “Our current standing within these rankings demonstrates the talent and level of productivity of our faculty as well as the high caliber of students we are attracting each year, and we will continue to dedicate ourselves to excellence across each of our programs.”

Graduate education programs at 357 schools granting doctoral degrees were surveyed in the fall of 2014; 253 responded, and 246 provided data needed to calculate rankings based on 10 specific measures, including student selectivity and research activity. Complete information regarding U.S. News rankings methodologies for 2016 can be accessed here.

For a complete list of the 2016 U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit usnews.com/colleges.