USF had 31 of its 150 graduate programs ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

USF’s part-time MBA program, audiology, speech-language pathology, criminology, nursing and seven engineering specialties were among the 100 best programs nationwide in the publication’s annual ranking.

As several USF programs move up in national standing, Students and faculty pointed to what they think helped the programs stand out.

The part-time MBA program at the Muma College of Business climbed to No. 38 in the nation, up from No. 53 the year before. Eric Douthirt, director of MBA programs, attributed the rise to program redesign, increased admissions standards and strong faculty engagement.

“We’ve been on this steady climb,” Douthirt said. “It’s as much a reflection of the quality of the students as it is anything else.”

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Douthirt said some changes have made the program more attractive to students already in the workforce, such as the student care scheduling model, which combines asynchronous lectures with weekly evening sessions focused on collaborative learning. 

This structure allows students who work full-time to manage their schedules more effectively, fitting coursework around their professional responsibilities, Douthirt said. 

“It’s a safe place to take some of those risks so you can grow before stepping into high-stakes leadership roles in the workforce,” Douthirt said. 

Ron Sarid, an MBA student at USF, said he found information about the program on the USF MBA website and through conversations with MBA ambassadors. 

Sarid said the adaptable format and affordable cost were key reasons he chose the USF program.

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“It provides a flexible learning environment that supports my continuing education needs, as well as the opportunity to network with students,” Sarid said.

For in-state students, USF’s total tuition for the part-time MBA costs from $15,422 to $22,899, while out-of-state students pay around $30,131 to $44,740.

In comparison, Florida State University, ranked No. 68 nationally, charges about $18,693 in-state and $43,318 out-of-state for its part-time MBA. The University of Florida’s program, ranked No. 33, costs approximately $66,807.

Casey Kendall, another MBA student at USF, said the program’s hands-on approach and supportive community have helped her balance school, work and personal goals.

“My journey through the MBA program has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Kendall said. “The unwavering support from my faculty, peers and mentors made all the difference.”

Kendall said she believes the program’s rise in the rankings reflects its focus on a relevant and evolving curriculum.

“At USF, students gain practical experience that helps them contribute to the workforce right away,” she said. “It’s designed to nurture well-rounded, forward-thinking leaders who are ready to tackle the challenges of the modern world.”

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In the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, USF’s audiology program was ranked No. 21 in the nation and speech-language pathology followed closely at No. 39. 

Both programs are in part led by M. Adelaida Restrepo, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Restrepo said the programs’ strengths lie in a mix of faculty recruitment, curriculum updates and community engagement.

“We’ve made the curriculum more competitive, and we’re placing students in the community through clinics and partnerships with hospitals, schools and private practices”, Restrepo said.

USF students complete internships at healthcare facilities, including the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Tampa General Hospital and a range of private practices and smaller specialty clinics throughout Tampa, Restrepo said. 

Restrepo said while higher rankings are “exciting”, they also increase the program’s visibility and competitiveness. 

Audiology receives around 30 to 40 applications annually and accepts roughly 15 students, while speech-language pathology receives roughly 500 applications and accepts around 90, Restrepo said. 

The rise in rankings also validates the hard work being done across USF’s graduate programs, Douthirt said.

“We see ourselves as part of that larger ecosystem, and we want to continue to contribute to the region’s success – and vice versa”, Douthirt said.

For Kendall, being part of a nationally recognized program is a “point of pride”.

“Seeing our collective efforts recognized on a national scale is truly heartwarming and incredibly validating,” Kendall said.