EAST LANSING, Mich. — A host of Michigan State University graduate programs – from nuclear physics to elementary education to African history – rank among the nation’s elite, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools.
The magazine, which hits newsstands April 5, ranks MSU’s elementary and secondary education graduate programs No. 1 for the 17th year in a row. Through the College of Education programs, faculty members and graduate students focus on improving the practice of teaching and learning through research and training initiatives for K-12 teachers – all with close ties to elementary and secondary classrooms.
MSU’s College of Education, which has nearly 1,800 graduate students, also scored highly in other graduate programs including curriculum/instruction at No. 2 and educational psychology at No. 4.
"This college continues to model high standards through research, teaching and programs. We appreciate the recognition of our peers which is reflected in these rankings," said Carole Ames, dean of the College of Education. "Our faculty strive to make a difference in the quality of education through their research and as they prepare the next generation of educators and educational leaders."
In nuclear physics, for the second straight year MSU beat out the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the top spot. MSU awards about 10 percent of the nation’s nuclear science doctorates and operates the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. MSU also will house the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, a $600 million project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.
“MSU has a long tradition of excellence in nuclear science,” said Wolfgang Bauer, chairperson of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “Being ranked No. 1 for the second year in a row clearly shows that our colleagues around the country and the world appreciate the research and graduation education performed here. This is a tremendously positive reflection of the efforts of our students, faculty, staff and alumni.”
MSU’s graduate program in industrial and organizational psychology also topped the list. The doctoral program – which has been No. 1 since 1998 – explores worker performance and satisfaction as a function of training, performance evaluation and other issues.
Here’s a look at how MSU fared specifically (colleges and programs within colleges):
College of Education: 17
Elementary education: 1
Secondary education: 1
Curriculum/instruction: 2
Rehabilitation counseling: 2
Higher education administration: 4
Educational psychology: 4
Administration/supervision: 8
Education policy: 11
College of Natural Science (only programs ranked)
Nuclear physics: 1
Physics: 36
Chemistry: 38
Mathematics: 43
Statistics: 44
Biological sciences: 46
Earth sciences: 69
Eli Broad College of Business: 49
Supply chain/logistics: 2
International: 12
Accounting: 20
College of Social Science (only programs ranked)
Industrial/organizational psychology: 1
African history: 3
Criminology: 7
Econometrics: 13
Political science: 28
Social work: 30
Economics: 31
Clinical psychology: 42
Psychology: 45
Sociology: 48
History: 56
College of Osteopathic Medicine: 14 (primary care category)
Family medicine: 19
College of Human Medicine: 37 (primary care category)
College of Veterinary Medicine: 9
College of Engineering: 52
Biological/agricultural: 12
Environmental: 28
Mechanical: 35
Civil: 36
Materials: 45
Computer: 46
Chemical: 47
Electrical: 51
College of Nursing: 36
Nursing-anesthesia: 32
College of Communication Arts and Sciences (only programs ranked)
Speech-language pathology: 46
College of Arts and Letters (only programs ranked)
English: 63
College of Law: 95
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.