Ohio State continues to sharpen its reputation as one of the nation’s best universities for graduate students despite state lawmakers’ proposals to cut government funding for higher public education.
According to the U.S. News & World Report’s recently released annual report of America’s best graduate schools, OSU ranked among the nation’s best in several areas, including arts, business, education, engineering, medicine and public health, nursing and veterinary medicine.
Graduate programs in every category received the highest rankings among Ohio’s public universities.
“We’re always thrilled to be among the top tier,” said Gemma McLuckie, spokeswoman for the College of Education.
The report recognizes the College of Education for producing some of the nation’s most qualified teachers, counselors and administrators. Specialty programs in the vocational and technical program were ranked first. Elementary education, administration and counseling were ranked second, while secondary education ranked third. Overall, the College of Education was rated 17th among the 188 graduate programs surveyed nationwide.
“This shows that our national reputation is strong. It shows that our peers know how well we train future teachers, counselors and administrators,” McLuckie said.
The College of Medicine and Public Health received the most improvement among OSU’s graduate programs, rising from 44th to 37th place in the past year.
Among the 125 medical schools surveyed, the health services administration program was ranked 14th.
“This reflects a rising national reputation of our faculty and our programs,” said Gary Snyder, spokesman for the College of Medicine and Public Health.
According to Snyder, the number of medical school applicants has suffered an overall national decline. OSU, however, has experienced a 10 percent increase in applications for the 2003-04 school year. Snyder attributes the national decline of applicants to the cost, length and other pressures linked to medical school.
“This is an attestation to the great quality, opportunity and innovation in medical education that potential medical students and faculty see taking place,” Snyder said.
The Fisher College of Business was ranked 19th out of 365 surveyed schools with MBA programs.
Senior Associate Dean Steve Mangum was pleased about the high ranking by U.S. News & Report, but won’t rest on this one accomplishment alone.
“The goal is to be viewed as best by more than one ranking, such as Wall Street, Fortune and Business Week,” Mangum said.
In addition to this national ranking, student satisfaction is also of great importance to the quality of the program Mangum said.
U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on several criteria, including the selectivity of a graduate program in admitting applicants, faculty, institutional reputation and research.
“This reminds us that we’re doing great things for the whole nation,” McLuckie said. “And the whole world.”
