The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University ranked 8th among nursing schools in the "America's Best Graduate Schools" guide released today by U.S. News and World Report. This new ranking of its master’s program represents the highest ranking in the nursing school’s history and is an increase from its No. 10 ranking last year.

Emory’s School of Nursing continues to be the top-ranked nursing school in Georgia and the No. 2 ranked nursing school in the Southeast.

The nursing school also ranked 10th in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty.

The school has a long-standing history of educating women and men to be leaders at the forefront of health care. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, it is recognized as a premier institution focused on health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance, education and research. Now with specialized programs, partnerships and unique training and mentoring opportunities, the school has grown to address the unique educational needs of its students and their diverse patient-care interests.

"It is beyond gratifying to be a part of such a focused, driven, committed and highly talented team of faculty, staff and students here at the School of Nursing," says Linda McCauley, PhD, RN, dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. "Being ranked among the top nursing schools is an extremely competitive and rigorous process. We are honored to receive this external validation of the quality of our academic programs by U.S. News and World Report."