Investment in quality academic programs pays off

Ohio State's strategy to boost the University's academic visibility is beginning to pay off. Led by a strong showing in education, humanities and social sciences, Ohio State graduate programs are cited among the best in Ohio and the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of selected graduate programs released at the end of March.

Among programs the magazine ranked this year, four that are considered among the nation's best are also recipients of Selective Investment awards from Ohio State. Over the last three years, Ohio State has chosen 13 programs for selective investments -- additional resources for leading-edge programs to enhance their academic visibility. U.S. News rankings confirm that Ohio State's investment is paying dividends: Ph.D. programs in history, political science and psychology have broken into the top 25 in the nation, while the University's overall law program continues to rank among the nation's best.

"The consistent high-quality performance of Ohio State in these annual rankings shows that we are on the right track," said Susan Huntington, dean of the Graduate School. "Ohio State's programs compare well to schools and states with much more favorable financial environments than ours. It is an indication of the dedication and creativity of faculty here."

The high marks come despite analysis that shows low state support for public universities in Ohio. According to State Profiles: Financing Public Higher Education 1998 Rankings, state appropriations to Ohio's public universities rank 40th in the nation and lowest in the Big Ten. Wisconsin state appropriations are most generous (8), followed by Michigan (13), Minnesota (15), Illinois (17), Iowa (21), Pennsylvania (27) and Indiana (34).

In specific rankings of graduate programs, Ohio's public school districts need look no further for resources than the University's College of Education, whose program is ranked second in secondary education and third in elementary education.

"The College of Education faculty has worked with our colleagues in kindergarten-through-12th-grade education to improve urban schools in Ohio and elsewhere," said Dean Donna Browder Evans. "The U.S. News survey is just one indication of our ability to prepare the best-qualified teachers to meet the challenges of our large, city school districts."

Ohio State's investment in rising programs paid dividends in the rankings of social science and humanities programs. The Ph.D. program in history is rated 25th best in the nation. Another Selective Investment department, political science, is ranked 15th, and the specialty program in American politics ranked seventh. Two programs in psychology were cited: The overall Ph.D. program was rated 25th, and the clinical psychology program was rated 36th among the health sciences.

According to Michael J. Hogan, dean of the College of Humanities (and former chair of the History Department), the College of Humanities is taking major strides to continue to expand its research and teaching profile. "Our faculty and student recruitment has been marvelously successful, especially in recent years. That history has been named a top program in the country is sure proof that our efforts are succeeding."

The Fisher College of Business is ranked 23rd in the nation. The college tied for sixth among major public university-based business programs in the top 10, and is the only Ohio business school ranked in the top 25.

Joseph A. Alutto, dean of the college, credits the rise in rankings to the college's commitment to building a model management education complex with solid academic programs led by nationally recognized faculty.

"The rankings are one indication of the strong return on the investment that our students -- and Ohio's taxpayers -- are receiving from Fisher College," Alutto said. "Our students benefit not only from our quality faculty and facilities, but also from the personalized programs that our small size makes possible."

A new U.S. News category on diversity at law schools across the country finds that the student body at Ohio State's College of Law is among the nation's most racially diverse. The diversity index for the law school is based on the total proportion of minority students and the mix of racial groups on campus. The magazine notes that 10 percent of the college's students are African American, the largest minority group among the mix of ethnic groups that comprise the diverse student body.

In addition, the College of Law continues to rank in the first tier of law schools nationwide, with the specialty program of dispute resolution ranked fourth in the nation.

"Ohio State continues to have one of the top Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs in the country," said College of Law Dean Gregory H. Williams. "We are ranked among the top 20 public law schools in the country, and continue to build our academic reputation. One of our great strengths is the quality of our programs and faculty. This will be enhanced by the receipt of the Selective Investment Award."

For most categories, the magazine bases its decisions on: the degree of admission selectivity, faculty resources, institutional reputation and research activity. Other criteria are added in specific instances.

Rankings of graduate schools and doctoral programs released for 2001-02 cover only certain programs. Five programs are ranked each year; others are ranked every three or four years. This year, in addition to annual rankings in business, education, engineering, law and medicine, the magazine offers new rankings for programs in social sciences, humanities and public affairs. However, the magazine reprints earlier years' ratings in some fields that note previous high marks to Ohio State's graduate programs in nursing, social work and veterinary medicine.

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