U.S. News ranks UB graduate programs among nation’s best

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Graduate programs across the University at Buffalo have been named among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020 Best Graduate Schools rankings released Tuesday.

UB Schools and programs to receive honors spanned several fields, including engineering, medicine, business, law, education, nursing and public health.

The School of Social Work is rated No. 25, ranking among the top 25 social work programs in the country for the second consecutive year.

“We are thrilled that our school is recognized as one of the top 25 social work programs in the U.S. We have a vibrant, innovative School of Social Work,” said Nancy J. Smyth, PhD, dean and professor of the School of Social Work.

“That is possible because we have excellent faculty, staff, students and alumni; the support of a great university; and wonderful partners in the other schools and in the community.”

The School of Nursing experienced a significant jump in the ranking of their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, climbing 26 spots to No. 47.

“It is very rewarding that our DNP program, with its four specialties – family, adult/gerontology, psychiatric/mental health and nurse anesthesia – is recognized among the best graduate programs in the country,” said Marsha Lewis, PhD, dean and professor of the School of Nursing.

She added: “Our graduates learn from exceptional, seasoned faculty in an innovative environment with cutting-edge technology that enhances practice. Students also enjoy many opportunities to expand their cultural awareness through local and global learning experiences. We strive to continuously enrich our programs, and we are so proud to have moved up so significantly in the rankings.”

The School of Management’s full-time MBA program is ranked in its highest spot ever —No. 66, rising four places from last year, and a total of 15 places over the past three years.

“Our focus on creating outstanding learning experiences and providing quality career development while recruiting high-caliber students and top faculty is really paying off,” said Paul Tesluk, PhD, dean and professor of the School of Management. “It’s gratifying to see our success reflected in the upward trajectory of these rankings and in our global reputation.”

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences is again top-ranked, placing 63rd on the list of best graduate engineering programs.

Numerous departments and programs within the school of engineering also rose in the new rankings, including aerospace (36), chemical (36), environmental (51), computer (52), mechanical (58), electrical (62), biomedical (63) and materials engineering (70). The school’s civil (36) and industrial engineering (29) programs were also ranked highly.

“We are working every day to both solve real-world problems and deepen our understanding of fundamental sciences. Our continued recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top engineering and applied sciences schools in the country reaffirms the efforts of our stellar faculty and our commitment to delivering a world-class education,” said Liesl Folks, PhD, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is rated among the top graduate medical school programs in the country in two categories: research (75) and primary care (78).

The Graduate School of Education is ranked within the top 100 graduate education programs, coming in at No. 88 on the annual list. The school’s master’s program in rehabilitation counseling is also ranked No. 37 in the nation.

And the School of Public Health and Health Professions remains one of the top 40 schools to pursue a graduate degree in the field of public health. The school is ranked No. 37.

“Among the 177 total schools and programs ranked in public health, we maintained our solid ranking to be among the best public health schools in the country. Our students receive a superior education, and we are proud of that,” said Jean Wactawski-Wende, PhD, SUNY Distinguished Professor and dean of the School of Public Health and Health Professions.

The School of Law climbed two places in this year’s rankings, rising to No. 104.

While not all graduate programs in the humanities, social sciences, sciences and health sciences were considered by U.S. News this year, several UB programs were ranked among the best in the nation in previous years.

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences was previously ranked at No. 22 among the top programs in the country in 2016.

Other UB graduate programs ranked in previous years include nursing anesthesia (10), audiology (17), speech-language pathology (30), occupational therapy (32), English (42), clinical psychology (50), computer science (61), political science (65), sociology (67), fine arts (69), psychology (75), physical therapy (79), chemistry (79), statistics (83), earth sciences (90), economics (90), physics (91), history (91), mathematics (94) and biological sciences.

The 2020 U.S. News graduate school rankings are based on surveys of administrators at more than 2,000 programs and more than 22,000 academics and professionals conducted during the fall of 2018 and early 2019.

The rankings are based on two types of data: expert opinions about program excellence and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students.