The Â鶹ӳ» School of Medicine (UNR Med) has earned national recognition in the , with two of its graduate programs ranked among the best in the country. The Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program ranked #21 out of 206 programs nationwide, while the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program was ranked #120 out of 283 programs, up 16 spots from 2024.
“For a relatively new program, being named among the top in the nation speaks volumes about the people behind it,” said Brian Lauf, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA, director of the Physician Assistant Studies program. “This recognition reflects the unwavering commitment and vision of UNR Med’s leadership and the dedication of our students, faculty, staff, and community partners. United by our vision to improve access to care for all Â鶹ӳ»ns—and our mission to train adaptable, community-focused primary care providers—we're proud to be part of building 'A Healthy Â鶹ӳ».' We see this ranking as both an honor and a responsibility to keep moving forward.”
The , accredited-continued by ARC-PA, offers a rigorous and hands-on curriculum designed to prepare graduates to step into clinical roles immediately upon passing the national board certification exam (PANCE). Graduates are uniquely prepared to meet the increasing demand for primary care providers in Â鶹ӳ»—especially in rural and underserved communities. The PA profession is projected to grow 27% nationally through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
UNR Med’s accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), also continues to rise in visibility at a time when the need for speech and hearing professionals is more critical than ever.
“Our Speech-Language Pathology program incorporates elements from all areas of specialty to give students complete knowledge of the field,” said Pradyumn Srivastava, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, director of Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Studies. “Due to rising cases of neurological, speech, language and hearing disorders, the need for specialists who treat these conditions is at an all-time high. Our programs equip students with the skills needed for impactful careers in diverse environments, from schools and hospitals to rehab centers and community clinics.”
Despite this national recognition, Â鶹ӳ» faces an ongoing shortage of specialists. The state ranks 50th in the nation for audiologists and 51st for speech-language pathologists per 100,000 residents, according to 2023 data from ASHA. Projections show a 38% increase in demand for SLPs in Â鶹ӳ» between 2020 and 2030.
Both SLPs and PAs play key roles in the health care system—ensuring patients receive timely, personalized care that improves quality of life. Whether diagnosing and treating communication disorders or providing primary care in areas with limited access to physicians, these professionals are on the frontlines of addressing urgent health care needs. Through its rigorous, community-focused programs, UNR Med is training the next generation of health care providers who are not only clinically competent but also deeply committed to serving Â鶹ӳ»’s diverse and growing population.
The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based solely on peer assessments from academic leaders across the country, who rate programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). Highly ranked programs are recognized for their academic strength, faculty credentials, student success, and graduation outcomes.
With both programs earning national recognition, UNR Med continues to demonstrate its growing impact on health care education and its commitment to serving the needs of Â鶹ӳ» communities.
