U.S. News Survey Released Today Ranks Two Graduate Programs at Colorado State University Among the Best in the Country

Colorado State University’s programs in occupational therapy and in vocational/technical education were named among the top 10 graduate programs in the country.

The programs were ranked in a national survey released by U.S. News and World Report magazine in their Graduate Guide for the 2001-2002 academic year. Both programs were ranked No. 10. "This recognition reflects the unwavering dedication to excellence both these programs have exhibited," said Nancy Hartley, dean of the College of Applied Human Sciences, which houses the School of Education and the Occupational Therapy Department. "We are very proud of the leadership, scholarship and service recognition that has been given to our School of Education and Occupational Therapy Department. Our high-quality graduates are testament to the fine teaching and research carried out within these programs."

The master’s degree program in occupational therapy has 64 students who work with 12 faculty members in the department. Colorado State is the only higher education institution in the state to offer an occupational therapy degree. Occupational therapists assist people of all ages and disabilities to learn skills that enable them to lead independent and productive lives. Colorado State’s program was in a four-way tie for the 10th position. "We’re proud of our outstanding program and our extraordinary graduates who do so much to benefit people regionally, nationally and internationally," said Jodie Hanzlik, head of the Occupational Therapy Department. "This recognition confirms that we are offering our students an excellent program that prepares them for the professional challenges they’ll face."

Colorado State’s School of Education has 400-500 undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teacher licensure students. Graduate programs in education and human resources studies have 400-500 students who work with nearly 40 full-time faculty members in the school. Colorado State is one of the leading members of the national University Council for Workforce and Human Resource Education.

Specializations in the graduate programs at the master’s level include counseling and career development, human resource development, adult education and training and educational leadership. At the doctoral level, specializations include educational leadership, community college leadership, human resource studies and an option for interdisciplinary study.

"This report reflects the hard work of all the faculty and staff in the program, as well as the hiring of several outstanding new faculty members," said Rick Ginsberg, director of the School of Education. "The faculty has embarked upon a very innovative plan for offering distance programs. The school currently partners with a private sector company to offer a program in adult education and training to students all across North America using an on-line format. We also have Colorado Commission of Higher Education supported programs in Pueblo, Grand Junction and Sterling, as well as master’s and doctoral programs in different specializations offered across Colorado and other parts of the nation."

"We will continue to move toward new levels of excellence in the variety of programs we offer across the state and nation."

Last year’s survey ranked Colorado State’s veterinary medicine program second in the nation. There were no new rankings for veterinary medicine in the latest survey. The program is reevaluated every three years.

The survey released today by U.S. News and World Report evaluates a variety of graduate programs in the following major disciplines: business, health, social sciences and humanities, education, engineering, law, medicine and public affairs.

The rankings for occupational therapy and for vocational/technical education were based on the results of reputational surveys sent to deans, faculty and administrators of accredited graduate programs. Respondents were asked to evaluate the programs on a scale of one to five based on the quality of a program’s curriculum, faculty and graduates. Colorado State also has been ranked in the top third of the 100-best public universities in terms of quality of education and affordability by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine. In addition, the Templeton Foundation has designated Colorado State a character-building institution.