National survey ranks UO grad programs in education, law among top 10

EUGENE, Ore. -- (March 28, 2008) -- The University of Oregon College of Education is the fifth-best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2009 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools. The college's special education program has been ranked no. 3 for the last three years.

"These ratings are indicators of how others perceive our education programs, and are a great testament to the hard work of our faculty to leverage federal funding to change and improve school and social services systems," said Michael Bullis, dean of the College of Education. "More than $28 million was put to work in every single school district in the state of Oregon, as well as schools throughout the U.S. as a result of the UO College of Education’s research and teaching excellence last year."

Three programs at the School of Law -- the Appropriate Dispute Resolution Program, the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program and the Legal Research and Writing program are also listed in the top 10.

"We are delighted that three of our programs have been recognized as the best of the best," said Margie Paris, dean of the University of Oregon School of Law. "Our faculty, staff, and students who have worked so hard over the years to make these programs world-class richly deserve this accolade."

The College of Arts and Sciences' clinical psychology program is listed in the top 25 in the U.S., positioning it among the top 15 percent of programs in the nation. The psychology program also is ranked among the top 15 percent in the nation while, the university’s biological sciences program is listed among the top 50 in the country.

"The University of Oregon is committed to reinforcing excellence in graduate education and research," said Linda Brady, UO senior vice president and provost. "We are pleased that the outstanding work of our faculty in education, law, and other areas has been recognized nationally."

Rankings in the U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Graduate Schools are based on student selectivity, placement success, faculty resources and separate measures of institutional reputation.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu

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