FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas School of Law and the rehabilitation education and research program of the UA College of Education and Health Professions have been recognized in the 2008 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s annual “America’s Best Graduate Schools.”

The School of Law is ranked in two categories. For the third straight year it is listed among the “most diverse” law schools in the country. It is also ranked with 35 other schools in the “third tier” of the best American law schools.

The rehabilitation education and research program of the College of Education and Health Professions is ranked 15th among graduate rehabilitation counseling programs in the annual U.S. News survey.

The School of Law has the highest percentage of African American students of any institution that is not one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, according to the U.S. News publication. African American students make up 18 percent of the Law School enrollment, up from 16 percent last year. “America’s Best Graduate Schools” also compiles a diversity index, based on the proportion of all minority students in a law school — excluding international students — compared to the mix of racial and ethnic groups on campus. On that index the School of Law is ranked in a tie for fifty-first place among 73 schools, a drop from last year.

“I’m pleased that we continue to be recognized for our diversity,” said Dean Cyndi Nance.  "We are working on ways to do even better. We will, of course, continue our efforts to attract African-American students. In addition, we are in the process of developing several new initiatives to help us reach out to and to recruit increasing numbers of top quality Asian-American and Hispanic-American students.”
     “I believe that our increasing diversity will help us achieve the goal that remains our top priority, improving the over-all ranking of the School of Law. Our beautiful new building, strong student credentials, increased success in external competitions, and the addition of our newest faculty members should all help to earn the School of Law the recognition it deserves.”

The rehabilitation education and research program offers a master of science degree in rehabilitation counseling and a doctoral degree in rehabilitation education and research. It also received the No. 15 ranking in the U.S. News survey in 2003, the last year the publication announced rankings in this category.

“The College of Education and Health Professions is thrilled to receive this report,” said Reed Greenwood, dean of the college. “The program and its faculty deserve this recognition for their extremely high quality of teaching, research and service.”

Richard T. Roessler, University Professor of rehabilitation education and research, joined the UA faculty in 1971 and served as the program coordinator for two years.

“The faculty is proud of this national recognition, particularly because it tells the students they made a good choice,” Roessler said. “It also reaffirms the contributions of the research and publications of the faculty and the program. However, we are not satisfied with this and will make every effort to be in the top 10 next time.”

Brent T. Williams, assistant professor of rehabilitation education, coordinated the program from 2002 through last year and led it through the intensive process that resulted in re-accreditation through the academic year 2013-14. The Council on Rehabilitation Education review identified the program as excellent with no suggestions for improvement.

“A student’s choice of graduate school is based on different criteria than undergraduate school,” Williams said. “Students often look for measures of excellence in their specific field when choosing a graduate program.”

Lynn C. Koch, associate professor of rehabilitation education and research, came from Kent State University to join the faculty last fall as program coordinator. Roessler and Williams said her addition will significantly contribute to the quality and visibility of the program.