'U.S. News' ranks UA grad programs among the best

The Management and Information Systems department was ranked fourth and the College of Pharmacy was tied for a seventh-place ranking among the nation's pharmacy schools. The magazine ranked creative writing programs for the first time, ranking the UA's program ninth.

The magazine ranked the College of Engineering and Mines 48th among 219 graduate engineering programs. The College of Law was ranked 40th among 179 accredited law schools, the UA Karl Eller Graduate School of Management was ranked 35th among 300 MBA programs, and the College of Education was ranked 45th among 191 graduate education programs.

Ernest Smerdon, dean of the College of Engineering and Mines, said the success of the engineering program comes from the hard work of top-grade faculty.

However, the rankings come as the UA faces a budget shortfall of $1.8 million this fiscal year and $7 million to $8 million next fiscal year.

Smerdon said maintaining high departmental standards was difficult during a time of cutbacks.

"It hasn't been easy. Our faculty are stretched to the limit," he said. "I fear that if we continue to have budget cuts it will be difficult for us to improve our rankings."

Joel Seligman, dean of the UA College of Law, attributed the school's success to its reputation among lawyers and judges, the students' hard work and job placement after graduation.

Seligman said the magazine's ranking system was flawed because it was based on the amount of money spent per student, which discriminates against state-funded institutions.

"I don't take them that seriously," he said of the rankings. "It's a wonderful law school, and I am proud to be a part of it. Whether we ranked one or 150, I would feel the same."

John Waring, director of graduate placement for the UA Eller Graduate School of Management, said he was thrilled because the program moved up 10 places since last year.

Waring said the program is successful because it is small and the course work focuses equally on theoretical and practical applications. The program, he said, takes "a pragmatic approach to teaching business."

He said dedication and vision are more important than university funding. He added the program had to keep that attitude while working through the budget shortfall.

"At 5 o'clock in this suite of offices, you will see the lights still on," Waring said.

Robert Houston, director of the creative writing program, said students and faculty are the keys to the program's success.

The students in the program have published over 140 books. Houston said the faculty are also well published.

"We will take ninth," he said. "Any time we can rank higher than Lute Olson's basketball team, we're doing fine."

Houston said the department is suffering because of budget cuts, but the cuts have simply forced everyone to work harder. He said the program would like to teach some courses but cannot because of the shortfall.

Provost Paul Sypherd said nothing can be done to avoid next year's financial shortfall.

He said the administration is committed to minimizing the effects of cuts to academic departments and he would like to see increased support for programs that are successful.

Graduate Program Rankings:

• The Karl Eller Graduate School of Management: ranked 35th among national MBA programs

• College of Education: ranked 45th among the nation's graduate education programs

• Creative Writing Program: ranked ninth among creative writing programs in the U.S.

• College of Law: ranked 40th among accredited law schools

• College of Engineering and Mines: ranked 48th among graduate engineering programs

• College of Pharmacy: tied for seventh among the nation's pharmacy schools

• Managment Information Systems: ranked fourth in the nation