Contact: Jack Bailey (304) 766-4109 INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University’s (WVSU) Master of Education in Instructional Leadership (MEIL) degree program has been nationally ranked by Best Accredited Colleges. WVSU’s program was ranked third in the nation by the organization, which creates guides and school rankings to help potential students make decisions for higher education based on their personal goals. “This award is a reflection of the dedication of our staff to provide meaningful and relevant learning experiences for our students,” said Dr. Mickey Blackwell, MEIL program coordinator. “It is also a compliment to the work the students produce on the journey to becoming successful school administrators. We have students from across the state of West Virginia – from the panhandles to the southern coalfields – and our students are the best reflection of our program. We have a great teaching staff, a great support staff, and our students are second to none.” Best Accredited College officials said it considered hundreds of institutions across the country and ranked WVSU using data around financial aid awards, the quality of education, faculty, campus resources, and more. Only 44 schools across the country were ranked in the category of “Best Online Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership.” WVSU’s MEIL is the largest graduate program on campus. It creates opportunities for educators to expand their skills and advance into administrative positions. Curriculum in the program is focused on the exploration and application of new techniques and concepts that help instructional leaders to create pathways to success for students and staff members. The program provides two career pathways: a licensure for school administration, supervisor of instruction and superintendency for candidates entering the program with a master’s degree, or a master’s degree option for candidates seeking a master’s. “We are dedicated to being a full-service experience for our students,” Blackwell said. “We believe we are a ‘concierge’-style program where our professors make themselves accessible to all students and when a student has a problem or need, it is addressed immediately so they can continue to be successful.” For the complete list of rankings, visit . Follow on Facebook, Instagram , and Twitter .