Online Graduate Education Programs Climb in Latest U.S. News Rankings

Seton Hall’s online graduate education programs continue to rise in national prominence, earning improved rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Online Programs list. This year, the University moved up 13 spots to No. 64 nationally and is ranked among the Top 10 private universities in the country for online graduate education programs. Regionally, Seton Hall placed No. 2 in New Jersey and No. 6 across the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut).

The programs, which are housed within the College of Human Development, Culture and Media, continue to rank in the top quartile of online graduate-level education programs nationwide, while also maintaining their standing among the highest-ranked Catholic institutions in the country.

“These results speak volumes about the strength of our academic community and our commitment to preparing leaders who make a real difference in primary, secondary and postsecondary school environments,” said Dean Bryan Crable, Ph.D. “Our faculty are deeply invested in their students’ success, and this recognition affirms the meaningful, applied work happening across our programs every day.”

Both the College’s M.A.E. and Ed.S. programs in Education Leadership, Management and Policy build on Seton Hall’s longstanding tradition of preparing school leaders and administrators across New Jersey and beyond. Faculty have designed coursework to reflect today’s PreK–12 landscape, blending theory with hands-on practice to equip graduates for the realities of modern educational leadership. Students benefit from a dynamic and interactive  learning environment, personalized advising and a culminating administrative internship that places them in real-world leadership contexts.

Seton Hall’s online M.A. in School Counseling program prepares future counselors to support students’ academic, social-emotional and career development across K–12 settings. The 48-credit program blends counseling theory, ethics and multicultural competence with hands-on field experience, including a supervised internship series.

"One of the things that truly sets Seton Hall apart is we're not just training counselors, we're training people to be the best versions of themselves for outstanding work in the field,” said Program Director Jody Kulstad, Ed.D.

Students develop expertise in crisis intervention, prevention strategies and collaborative practice, working alongside families, educators and multidisciplinary teams to address diverse student needs. The program equips graduates for New Jersey certification and eligibility for application in many other states, preparing them to make an immediate, meaningful impact in school communities.

All programs integrate innovative online learning models, combining synchronous and asynchronous coursework with structured virtual engagement opportunities. Seton Hall faculty and advisors remain focused on student outcomes, guiding graduates as they advance into leadership roles such as counselors, principals and district administrators nationwide.

“Our alumni are leaders in schools across the state and the country,” Crable added. “They reflect the interdisciplinarity, collaboration, rigor, purpose and adaptability that define a Seton Hall and CHDCM education.”

The College is an educator preparation provider (EPP) accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Several programs also hold specialized national recognition, including educational leadership (NELP).

Categories: Education, Nation and World