UGA graduate programs continue to rank among the best in the nation

University of Georgia graduate programs remained among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2009 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools. The College of Education ranked 30th and the School of Law tied for 35th.

“UGA’s graduate and professional programs continue to be recognized as among the best in America, and we can all be proud of that,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams. “Strong graduate programs are important to the advancement of this university and are engines of economic growth for the state of Georgia.”

Maureen Grasso, dean of the UGA Graduate School, agreed. “These rankings reflect the high caliber of work our students and faculty engage in as well as our commitment to excellent graduate education,” she said. “Although we will not rest on our laurels, we are, nevertheless, proud of these acknowledgements of the quality of our graduate programs and we will continue to promote innovative research and prepare future leaders.”

The College of Education, which had more students enrolled in graduate teaching programs in 2008 than any public university in the nation, ranked 22nd among public universities and third among public universities in the South.

“The University of Georgia College of Education is one of the top education schools in the country. Our faculty rank high in research productivity and our graduate students excel in their fields,” said Arthur Horne, dean of the College of Education. “Our continued ranking among the finest public education colleges in the nation is a reflection of the hard work and talent of our faculty and students.”

Three of the College of Education’s six ranked specialty programs improved their top 10 status. Vocational/technical ranked first (up from third); counseling/personnel tied for third (up from sixth); and higher education administration ranked sixth (up from seventh). Secondary education remained constant at fourth as did curriculum/instruction at eighth. Elementary education dropped from third to fourth.

In addition to ranking 35th overall, the School of Law ranked among the top 14 public universities and among the top five public universities in the Southeast.

“National rankings continue to be just one indicator of the academic success of an educational institution, and we are pleased that the School of Law continues to be among what is considered the ‘top tier’ of law schools in the country,” said Rebecca H. White, dean of the School of Law. “Our goal of providing the finest legal education possible is also evidenced by the success of our graduates. For example, counting the October 2009 term, we will have had our graduates serve as judicial clerks at the U.S. Supreme Court for four out of the last five years. These elite positions are very, very competitive and their selection places the law school among the very top law schools in the nation.”

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ psychology program is tied for 50th.

The School of Public and International Affairs’ master of public administration degree program continues to share the fourth place ranking with Princeton University. SPIA also continues to have two highly ranked specialty programs. Both the specialization in public finance and budgeting as well as the specialization in public management and administration continue to be ranked second in the nation.

Other programs with current rankings include: clinical psychology tied for 33rd (2008); master of fine arts tied for 37th (2008); ecology/evolutionary biology ranked 10th (2008); and biological sciences ranked at 58th (2007).

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