Miami earns high marks in Intelligent.com 2025 rankings
University is No. 1 for Master’s in Gerontology; No. 2 in Best Small Business Management
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Intelligent.com uses a data-driven methodology to evaluate programs on measures such as graduation rates, return on investment, academic quality, and more.
Housed in the Department of Sociology and Gerontology and in partnership with Scripps Gerontology Center, the Master’s in Gerontological Studies (MGS) program started in 1977 and is among the oldest gerontology programs in the country.
Miami’s MGS and Ph.D. programs are based on collaboration and use a “shared mentorship” model.
This approach is different from more “apprenticeship” style graduate programs, said Leah Janssen ’05, MGS ’07, Ph.D. ’21, associate director for academic programs and research support at the Scripps Gerontology Center.
“This gives students the opportunity to work with a variety of faculty and Scripps researchers,” Janssen said. “In this approach, students’ classroom, teaching, and research experiences facilitate their individual development and preparation for the job market.”
Miami also recently was selected as the Gold Award recipient of the 2024 Innovative Research on Aging Awards given by the Mather Institute. Miami earned accolades for its innovative 2024 study addressing loneliness in older adults and ageism in university students through an arts-based intergenerational program.
Janssen estimated about half of MGS graduates pursue a Ph.D. at some point in their career.
“The MGS degree prepares the next generation of gerontologists to work in a wide variety of aging-related fields,” Janssen said. “Graduates hold jobs in a range of public and private settings as program or facility administrators, planners, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and trainers. New job opportunities for well-trained gerontologists are constantly emerging.”
Along with its No. 1 Intelligent.com ranking in Master’s Gerontology Degree Programs, Miami earned two more top 10 distinctions – No. 2 in Best Small Business Management Degree Programs and No. 10 in Best Software Engineering Degree Programs.
Tom Mays, chair of the Department of Commerce, said there are around 300 Miami students enrolled in the Small Business Management major and attributed its growth in popularity in part to its availability as a fully online program.
“We get a really nice mix of traditionally aged students to those who have been working in industry for some time and are looking for additional credentials,” Mays said. “We get students who are interested in starting their own business, too. There is an entrepreneurial mindset with our students.”
Additionally, Miami was ranked No. 11 in Best Master’s in Reading and Literacy Degree Programs, No. 18 in Best Master’s in Sports Management Degree Programs, and No. 19 in Best Master’s in Accounting Degree Programs.
The university was also ranked in:
According to a release from Intelligent.com, each program was “scored on a proprietary scale of 0 to 100, drawing on trusted sources like the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, U.S. News & World Report, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rigorous evaluation ensures that only institutions and programs with a proven track record of academic excellence and strong student outcomes receive recognition.”
“It’s always nice to be recognized for the work we put into the program,” Mays said. “Our faculty and our practitioners come from industry. They were executives and small business owners themselves. We pride ourselves on offering a practical program for our students.”
