U.S. News ranks SOE programs among nation’s best

The UW–Madison School of Education's core programs again this year rank among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2009 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools.

The nation’s education deans, surveyed by U.S. News for the annual publication, consistently rate the School of Education’s core programs among the top three. In the 2009 edition, the deans ranked UW–Madison:

• First in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Psychology.
• Second in Administration/Supervision, Counseling/Personnel Services, Elementary Education, and Secondary Education.
• Third in Education Policy.
• Ninth in Special Education.

Overall, the UW–Madison ranked 12^th among more than 200 schools of education, tied with Northwestern University in a highly competitive top tier.  Last year, the School of Education was ranked eighth.

“We are always delighted to be ranked among the best in the nation, especially our individual programs,” says Education Dean Julie Underwood. “At the same time, we believe that our School’s excellence is best reflected by other indicators, such as service to our constituents and the exceptional caliber of our graduates.”

Serving and supporting education at all levels throughout Wisconsin and beyond is the School’s central mission, Underwood says.  “We are passionate about our commitment to the Wisconsin Idea, which runs through our professional preparation programs, our research, our partnerships and collaborations, and our advocacy.”

Prospective employers, in particular, recognize the quality of the School’s graduates and often target them in their recruiting efforts, she says. “We are well-represented on the faculties of our top peer institutions around the nation and in K-12 school districts, particularly across Wisconsin.”

This year, U.S. News also ranked master of fine arts programs, based on a survey of art school deans and other top art academics.  Among the specialties, UW–Madison ranked first in printmaking and tied for third in metals/jewelry.  Overall, UW–Madison was tied for 21^st.

In the area of health disciplines rated by program directors and faculty, U.S. News included fresh rankings of master’s and doctoral programs in occupational therapy, with UW–Madison’s program, housed in the Department of Kinesiology, tied for 12^th.