U.S. News & World Report recognized seven University of Nebraska Medical Center programs in its annual rankings of the nation’s top graduate schools.
UNMC continued its solid standing in areas such as primary care and rural health. The medical center’s climb in extramural research funding – which topped $100 million in extramural research funding last year – also was recognized among the magazine’s research rankings.
The rankings are reported in the magazine’s 2011 edition of America’s Best Graduate Schools, which is available soon on newstands. The online edition includes longer lists of some specialty rankings, as well as additional school directory information.
“There has been a long-standing commitment at UNMC to rural communities and primary care education,” said Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These rankings acknowledge that commitment, as well as show our strengths in research and other health disciplines. We’re pleased to rank among the best in the country.”
The following UNMC programs were recognized in new rankings this year:
· The College of Medicine tied for 14th in U.S. News’ top schools of medicine — primary care listing;
· The College of Medicine’s rural health medicine program tied for 17th; and
· UNMC ranked 71st in U.S. News’ best medical schools-research ranking.
The following UNMC programs also were included in the guidebook and/or online edition, but were not newly ranked:
· The School of Allied Health Professions’ physician assistant program tied for 14th;
· The College of Pharmacy ranked 29th;
· The College of Nursing’s master’s degree program ranked 32nd; and
· The School of Allied Health Professions’ physical therapy program ranked 33rd.
The U.S. News rankings on primary care are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students. Rankings for the health specialties — including rural medicine, nursing and physician assistant — are based solely on the ratings of academic experts.
UNMC officials encourage students to use many sources when selecting a graduate or professional program. Editors say a ranking is one of the criteria students should consider when selecting a graduate school, in addition to the student’s academic and professional ambitions, financial resources and scholastic record. A school’s size, atmosphere and location also are factors to consider.
As the state’s only academic health science center, UNMC is on the leading edge of health care. Breakthroughs are possible because hard-working researchers, educators and clinicians are resolved to work together to fuel discovery. In 2009, UNMC’s extramural research support topped $100 million for the first time, resulting in the creation of 3,600 jobs in Nebraska. UNMC’s academic excellence is shown through its award-winning programs, and its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment to education, research, patient care and outreach, UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, have established themselves as one of the country’s leading health care centers. UNMC’s physician practice group, UNMC Physicians, includes 550 physicians in 50 specialties and subspecialties who practice primarily in The Nebraska Medical Center. For more information, go to UNMC’s Web site at www.unmc.edu.