20 VCU graduate programs rank in the top 60

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. – Twenty VCU graduate programs rank in the top 60 of the U.S. News & World Report 2004 rankings of "America's Best Graduate Schools." Two of the programs are ranked best in the nation -- Nurse Anesthesia and Sculpture. "The U.S. News & World Report rankings are yet another affirmation of the world class faculty and students at VCU," said VCU President Eugene P. Trani.

Seven VCU schools are ranked in top 60 programs: the School of the Arts is ranked 6th, up from 19 previously; the School of Education, ranked 39th, was not previously ranked; the School of Nursing, now 48th, previously was ranked 52nd, and the School of Medicine ranked 59th in the research medical school category. Three schools carry over previous rankings: School of Social Work, 13th; School of Dentistry, 13th, and School of Pharmacy, 19th.

Other VCU graduate programs ranked as among the best in the nation are: Graphic Design, 4th; Health Services Administration, 5th; Painting and Drawing, 10th; Community Health, 18th; Rehabilitative Counseling, 20th, and Teacher Preparation, top 50. Health Services Administration, while ranked 5th in today’s corrected online rankings, was omitted from Thursday night’s online information as well as the U.S. News printed book of rankings, as communicated by U.S. News & World Report late this afternoon to graduate schools around the country.

VCU graduate programs carrying over previous rankings are: Physical Therapy, 15th; Occupational Therapy, 17th; Creative Writing, 50th; Clinical Psychology, 50th, and Public Affairs, 51st.

The U.S. News & World Report "America's Best Graduate Schools" rankings are available online at www.usnews.com.