Grad programs represented in new U.S. News rankings

The University of Nebraska College of law moved up 28 spots to No. 61 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.
The University of Nebraska College of law moved up 28 spots to No. 61 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln was represented in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of higher-education graduate schools and programs.

The College of Law experienced a significant jump, climbing 28 spots from last year’s rankings to No. 61.

“While we view these rankings with a healthy dose of skepticism, it is good news for the college," Law Dean Susan Poser said. “It is long overdue national recognition of the excellent academic program that we have always offered.”

The law college’s improved ranking was because of several factors, including this year being the first that the rankings closely examined the types of jobs graduates got after graduation.

“Our post-graduation employment numbers for the Class of 2011 were consistent with past years, but for the first time, law-related jobs were given more weight than part-time, non-law related jobs,” Poser said. “Our students have consistently been getting those jobs and this year's rankings reflect this.”

Poser said the college’s faculty is currently reviewing and expanding its curriculum so that the college can continue to provide an education to prepare Nebraska law students for 21st-century law practice.

“We will use this good news to build upon the momentum that already exists at the college,” she said.

Meanwhile, UNL’s College of Education and Human Sciences ranked No. 51 of 177 schools. The college’s speech language pathology program also ranks highly – No. 17 of 229 institutions, as well.

The College of Engineering is No. 89; UNL also ranks 10th in biological and agricultural engineering.

The College of Business Administration’s online MBA program is No. 17, while its part-time MBA program ranks 34th.

U.S. News also ranked a number of graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences this year. UNL is No. 69 of 94 in sociology; No. 63 of 134 in English; No. 74 of 125 in history; No. 54 of 86 in political science and No. 78 of 214 in psychology in the current rankings.

-- Molly Brummond, College of Law; Steve Smith, University Communications

More details at: http://go.unl.edu/9cy