VCU School of Allied Health Professions earns top national ranking

By Michael Ford
University News Services

Richmond, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University’s Ph.D. program in health-related sciences is one of the top distance learning programs in the country. Part of VCU’s nationally ranked School of Allied Health Professions, the innovative health-related sciences Ph.D. program has been ranked in the first quartile of The 2000 National Doctoral Program Survey.

Results of the survey, from the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, were released in October.

"The health-related sciences Ph.D. program was already quite proficient at attracting top students from across the country. Now it has begun to earn national recognition for its programming excellence," said Phyllis Self, Ph.D., vice provost, academic technology.

First offered in 1998, the program includes specialty tracks in clinical laboratory sciences, gerontology, health administration, nurse anesthesia, occupational therapy, physical therapy, radiation sciences and rehabilitation leadership. Led by Dolores G. Clement, Dr. P.H., professor, associate dean and program director, the program draws participating faculty from across VCU.

"I am certainly gratified to see the health-related sciences Ph.D. program earn this type of recognition just three years from its inception," said Cecil B. Drain, Ph.D., dean of the School of Allied Health Professions. "Our program has already become a benchmark for other distance- learning programs across the country."

"We are pleased to be ranked in the first quartile among such prestigious and older programs," Clement said. "We shall continue to provide a quality experience for our doctoral students."

Sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the 2000 National Doctoral Program Survey solicited responses nationally from schools of graduate studies. Programs were scored based on quality of information for prospective students; preparation of students for a broad range of careers; teaching and teaching-assistant preparation; professional development, career guidance and placement services; controlling time to degree; mentoring; program climate, and overall satisfaction.

In its 2001 survey, U.S. News and World Report ranks five departments in VCU’s School of Allied Health Professions among the top programs in the nation.