Sixteen VCU graduate programs rank nationally

By Melissa Jones

RICHMOND, Va. – Ten graduate programs at Virginia Commonwealth University are newly ranked among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report�s 2002 rankings of "America's Best Graduate Schools." In addition to the 10 programs ranked this year, the rankings of six other VCU programs carry forward from last year, bringing the total to 16.

Seven of the VCU programs ranked this year are in the top tier of their respective categories. They are: rehabilitation counseling, seventh; health services administration, eighth; nursing service administration, ninth; community health, 11th; social work, 13th; physical therapy, 15th; and occupational therapy, 17th. Also ranked are nursing at 52nd; clinical psychology at 50th; and public affairs at 51st.

In addition to the newly listed rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked several other VCU graduate programs last year. Those programs were sculpture, fifth; nurse anesthesia, 10th; drug and alcohol abuse, 16th; fine arts, 19th; pharmacy, 19th and creative writing, 50th.

The newsmagazine published its newest graduate school rankings in the issue that arrived on newsstands today, and in its annual guidebook, also available today. To determine the rankings, U.S. News & World Report surveyed  deans and top officials of accredited master's, doctoral and professional programs, asking them to rate the schoolswithin their own disciplines.

"Our peers across the country recognize that VCU is a top university that offers high-quality graduate and professional education," said VCU President Eugene P. Trani, Ph.D. "This endorsement is yet another indication of VCU's national reputation."

Four programs ranked this year – rehabilitation counseling, health services administration, occupational therapy and physical therapy – are offered through VCU's School of Allied Health Professions.

"We take tremendous pride in these rankings," Dr. Trani said. "They serve as a testament to the outstanding work of our talented faculty members and graduate students."