The University of New Orleans is among the nation’s best graduate schools for public affairs and biological sciences, according to new rankings from U.S. News & World Report. UNO’s Master of Public Administration program is ranked No. 139, while its graduate program in biology is tied for No. 235.

UNO, which climbed 12 spots in the public affairs rankings since last year, is one of only two ranked Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs in the state.

“We’re very proud to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report’s ‘Best Graduate Schools in Public Affairs’ as being among the top nationally-ranked MPA programs in the country,” said John Kiefer, director of UNO’s MPA program. “It attests to the strong reputation of our faculty and the solid support of the MPA program by the University of New Orleans.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, the rankings of public affairs programs are based solely on peer assessment survey results. In fall 2018, U.S. News surveyed deans, directors and department chairs representing 285 master’s program in public affairs and administration. In the 2020 edition of Best Graduate Schools, U.S. News writes, “Earning your MPA can lead to a career in public service, both domestically and abroad. Curricula often incorporate courses in policy, economics, analysis and management.”

UNO’s Master of Public Administration program is professionally accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). This accreditation signifies that a master’s program has undertaken a rigorous process of peer review.

For biology, academics at 275 doctorate-granting schools were surveyed. Respondents were asked to rate the academic quality of each program. U.S. News writes, “A graduate degree in biological sciences gives students a broad base of knowledge in the life sciences. The discipline also offers many specialties, such as cell or molecular biology.”