Twenty WUSTL schools, academic areas and departments at the graduate and professional levels currently hold top 10 rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of graduate and professional programs, which were released April 23.
Overall, 43 graduate and professional academic areas at the University rank in U.S. News’ top 25.
The School of Medicine remains No. 3 among research-oriented medical schools, tied this year with the University of Pennsylvania.
The School of Medicine’s internal medicine program ranks No. 6, up from No. 8 in 2008 and retaining its top 10 standing, and the pediatrics program is tied at No. 8.
The medical school has ranked No. 1 in student selectivity for 11 consecutive years. In addition, its 2008 average entrance exam scores and undergraduate grade-point averages were the highest among the top 50 research-oriented medical schools.
“While we try not to place too much emphasis on rankings, it is nice to see — through both objective and reputational measures — we are in the company of such highly regarded institutions,” said Larry J. Shapiro, M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.
“We are proud of our students, faculty and staff who have helped the School of Medicine remain in the top 10 since U.S. News began the rankings in 1987,” he said.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science is tied for No. 10 in the rankings, up from No. 17 in 2008.
“I am gratified and proud that our peers recognize the achievements of our extremely talented faculty, students, alumni and staff,” said Frank C. P. Yin, M.D., Ph.D., the Stephen F. and Camilla T. Brauer Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering and chair of the biomedical engineering depart-ment.
“Their hard work and dedication, together with the support of our many friends and colleagues, are what made this possible,” he said.
Two Arts & Sciences departments — Political Science and Psychology — are tied for a No. 13 ranking in 2009. Two specialties within those departments — political methodology (No. 7) and cognitive psychology (tied for No. 9) — rank among the top 10.
“Political science and psychology are two of the strongest departments in Arts & Sciences, and I am not surprised that they have been recognized,” said Richard J. Smith, Ph.D., dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the Ralph E. Morrow Distinguished University Professor of physical anthropology.
“Political methodology and cognitive psychology are areas in which each department made the strategic decision to build strength. They demonstrate that, even at our moderate size, departments can identify areas in which they become international leaders,” Smith said.
The School of Law remains in the top 20 for the fourth straight year, retaining its No. 19 ranking. Within the law school, the Trial and Advocacy Program remains among the nation’s best at No. 4 (tie) in the nation, as does the Clinical Affairs Program, which ranks No. 5.
The School of Law is also included in this year’s list of most diverse law schools.
“I am gratified that the excellence of our faculty, students and alumni continues to receive recognition,” said Kent D. Syverud, J.D., dean of the law school and the Ethan A.H. Shepley University Professor.
The Olin Business School’s MBA program claims a spot among the top graduate programs in the country, rising three places to tie for No. 22 overall. In addition, two of Olin’s programs are recognized for their excellence: The school’s part-time program, the Professional MBA, is tied for No. 20, and the Executive MBA Program is tied for No. 18.
“Each of our MBA programs is a respected leader in the marketplace, distinguished by exceptional students and alumni and world-class faculty and staff,” said Mahendra R. Gupta, Ph.D., dean of Olin Business School and the Geraldine J. and Robert L. Virgil Professor of Accounting and Man-agement. Our collective, ongoing hard work will continue to advance our fine business school.”
U.S. News ranks some graduate schools, areas and departments — such as law — annually, and some — such as psychology and political science — on a rotating cycle.
Among those not reranked in 2009 and therefore retaining their 2008 rankings were the George Warren Brown School of Social Work (No. 1), Program in Occupational Therapy (tied for No. 1), Program in Physical Therapy (tied No. 2) and Program in Audiology and Communication Sciences (No. 5).
Retaining their 2007 rankings are doctoral programs in biological science (tied No. 7), microbiology (tied No. 3); genetics/genomics/bioinformatics (tied No. 4), immunology/infectious disease (tied No. 5), cell biology (No. 9), neuroscience/neurobiology (No. 9) and biochemistry/biophysics/structural biology (tied No. 10).
Many of this year’s rankings are in the May 2009 U.S. News magazine, available on newsstands April 28.
The “America’s Best Graduate Schools” guidebook, published by U.S. News, also became available April 28.
The U.S. News rankings also can be found online at usnews.com.