UW-Madison graduate programs continue to enjoy national reputation

The University of Wisconsin–Madison continues to garner broad national recognition, including more than 50 programs listed among the nation's top 10, in rankings released today of America's top graduate education programs.

The 2008 issue of America's Best Graduate Schools, published by U.S. News and World Report, includes new rankings of professional schools such as business, education, engineering, law and medicine. It also updates rankings in several science and humanities disciplines and republishes the rankings of scores of programs that have been reviewed in past years.

Taken collectively, the rankings continue to reflect positively on both the quality and breadth of UW–Madison's graduate portfolio, says Graduate School Dean Martin Cadwallader.

"We always tell students that rankings are only one element to consider when choosing the ideal graduate program, and we hope the rankings will spur students to look more deeply at what this campus has to offer," Cadwallader says. "The sheer volume of highly-rated degree programs speaks well to the great tradition and continued commitment we show to graduate education at Madison."

All programs below were ranked in 2007 except those that are accompanied by a previous year in parentheses. The rankings are:

— The School of Education is ranked eighth overall, compared to seventh in 2006. In education specialty programs, UW–Madison ranks first in administration and supervision; fifth in counseling and personnel services; first in curriculum and instruction; second in educational psychology; third in education policy; second in elementary education; second in secondary education; and seventh in vocational/technical education.

— The School of Business is tied for 29th overall, compared to 31st in 2006.

— The College of Engineering is tied for 14th overall, compared to 15th in 2006. In engineering specialty programs, UW–Madison ranks fifth in chemical engineering and third in nuclear engineering.

— In the health disciplines, UW–Madison tied for fifth in audiology (2004); tied for second in clinical psychology (2004); tied for 19th in nursing; tied for 11th in pharmacy (2005); tied for first in rehabilitation counseling; tenth in social work (2004); tied for first in speech-language pathology (2004); and tied for fifth in veterinary medicine. Nursing, rehabilitation counseling and veterinary medicine were all ranked for the first time since 2003.

— The School of Law is tied for 31st overall, compared to 32nd a year ago.

— The School of Medicine and Public Health is ranked 27th overall in research and ninth overall in primary care, compared to 28th and sixth, respectively, in 2006. In specialty programs, UW–Madison is tied for fourth in family medicine.

— In public affairs disciplines, UW–Madison tied for 17th overall (2004). In public affairs specialties, UW–Madison tied for third in social policy.

— The School of Library and Information Studies is tied for 11th overall (2005). In specialties, UW–Madison ranked eighth in archives and presentation; and tied for fifth in services for children and youth.

— UW–Madison programs tied for 15th overall in the biological sciences, compared to 12th in 2006, and tied for third in microbiology.

— UW–Madison is tied for seventh overall in chemistry (identical to 2006), sixth in analytical chemistry, seventh in biochemistry, seventh in inorganic chemistry, eighth in organic chemistry, tied for eighth in physical chemistry and ninth in theoretical chemistry.

— In computer science, UW–Madison tied for ninth overall (2006), and was ranked 10th in programming language and seventh in systems.

— In the earth sciences, UW–Madison tied for 15th overall (2006), and is ranked ninth in geology.

— In mathematics, UW–Madison is ranked 14th (2006) overall and is fourth in logic and tied for fourth in statistics.

— In physics, UW–Madison is tied for 16th overall (2006) and is fourth in plasma physics.

— In economics, UW–Madison is tied for 11th overall (2005) and is 10th in econometrics, seventh in international economics, and eighth in public finance.

— In English, UW–Madison tied for 16th overall (2005) and is tied for seventh in gender and literature.

— In history, the university is tied for 11th overall (2005) and is second in African history, tied for seventh in cultural history, tied for 10th in European history, tied for second in Latin American history, tied for seventh in modern American history and first in women's history.

— In political science, the university tied for 16th overall (2005).

— UW–Madison tied for ninth overall in psychology (2005), tied for seventh in behavioral neuroscience and tied for ninth in experimental psychology.

— UW–Madison is ranked No. 1 overall in sociology (2005), is tied for third in economic sociology, ranks third in sex and gender, is tied for fifth in social psychology, is first in social stratification, and first in sociology of population.

— The Master of Fine Arts program, tied for 14th overall (2003), also has a first place ranking in printmaking.