U.S. News & World Report again ranks UB graduate programs among nation’s best

A range of UB graduate school programs have been cited among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report in its 2019 ranking of “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” released today.

UB’s School of Social Work, climbing to No. 24, is rated among the top programs of its type in the nation.

“The newest U.S News & World Report rankings have moved our Master of Social Work Program into the top 25 social work programs in the United States,” says Nancy J. Smyth, dean and professor in the School of Social Work.

“I have no doubt that the distinctive work we do across all social issues, but especially in trauma-informed and human rights social work, is part of what our colleagues have considered in ranking the quality of our program. In addition, I think that we are also recognized for our leadership in using technology to advance the profession, and for developing, with our partners in the UB School of Management, a unique co-design strategy to social innovation,” Smyth adds.

“I am truly honored to serve as dean of a school with such outstanding alumni, faculty, staff, students and community partners.”

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is rated among the top graduate medical school programs in the country in two categories: research (61) and primary care (72).

“As these rankings clearly suggest, the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is delivering a world-class educational experience to our students while our faculty are pioneering new avenues in medical research,” says Michael Cain, vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School. “With a brand new state-of-the-art building downtown and a more central location in the heart of Buffalo, the Jacobs School is playing a major role in transforming medical education and practice nationwide.”

The Graduate School of Education rose from No. 80 to No. 70, and is again rated by the magazine as among the nation’s best.

“The Graduate School of Education is pleased to have climbed 10 spots in the rankings from last year,” says Suzanne Rosenblith, dean and professor.

“This is a reflection of our commitment to student success, pedagogical innovation and impactful research. We continue to strive to be among the top research-intensive graduate schools of education in the U.S.”

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is again top-ranked, rising to No. 61. In addition, graduate programs offered in aerospace (42), biomedical (64) chemical (43), civil (32), computer (55), electrical (69), environmental (58), industrial (28), materials (77) and mechanical engineering (59) are rated among the nation’s best.

“Our rise in the rankings is the result of many factors, including hiring some of the nation’s brightest early-career researchers, many of whom are supported by the National Science Foundation and other agencies, as well as our expanding research enterprise, which grew from $59 million to $74 million last year,” says Liesl Folks, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

In the new rankings, the School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP) is again ranked as one of the best in the nation at No. 73. The Master’s in Nursing Leadership and Health Care Systems Program is also top-rated (91).

“This national recognition is a testament to the strength of our academic programs and our commitment to provide an exemplary education to prepare our graduates to lead in research, education, practice and service,” says Marsha Lewis, dean and professor of the School of Nursing.

The School of Management, rising three spots to No. 70, is again rated among the nation’s top business schools.

“Our efforts to recruit high-caliber students and top faculty, create outstanding learning experiences, and provide quality career development are paying off,” says Dean Paul Tesluk. “It’s gratifying to see our success reflected in our forward movement in these rankings and in our global reputation.”

The UB School of Law (106) is also ranked among the nation’s best law schools.  

While not all graduate programs in the humanities, social sciences, sciences and health sciences were considered by U.S. News this year, several UB programs are ranked among the best in the nation. These include UB graduate programs in biological sciences (140), chemistry (79), computer science (61), earth sciences (90), mathematics (94), physics (91) and statistics (83).

In previous years’ rankings, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences was ranked among the top programs in the country (22). The School of Public Health and Health Professions was also top-rated (31). 

Also ranked in previous years’ rankings were UB graduate programs in audiology (17), clinical psychology (50), nursing anesthesia (10), occupational therapy (32), physical therapy (79), rehabilitation counseling (21), speech-language pathology (30), fine arts (69), economics (90), English (42), history (91), political science (65), psychology (75) and sociology (67).

The 2019 U.S. News graduate school rankings are based on surveys of administrators at more than 1,970 programs and more than 16,500 academics and professionals conducted during the fall of 2017 and early 2018.

The Best Graduate Schools rankings in business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing are based on two types of data: expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students.