FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas’s graduate department of psychology has been named among the top research-based departments in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2006. The department is ranked 189 and received an overall score of 2.5 (out of a possible 5.0).

With its ranking, the department joins 21 other psychology departments from various colleges and universities, including fellow Southeastern Conference institutions Louisiana State University, the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa and Auburn University’s Department of Family and Child Development.

Scores compiled for the U.S. News guide are based on data gathered from a survey administered to departments in 2004.

“We are very pleased that the work of the department of psychology has been recognized by U.S. News and included among the nation’s top institutions in this year’s guide,” said Doug Behrend, chair of the department of psychology. “Much like the mission of the university, the department intends to continue to improve its two doctoral programs to become more nationally competitive among its peers. I also commend the outstanding work of our faculty and students.”

“The department of psychology is one of the Graduate School’s two largest producers of Ph.D. graduates,” said Collis Geren, vice provost of research and dean of the Graduate School. “The department does an outstanding job of recruiting the best Ph.D. candidates available. They are a very solid department and quite deserving of this recognition.”

The department of psychology consists of 19 full-time faculty members, representing all major areas of psychology. The two doctoral degrees offered through the department are in clinical psychology and experimental psychology. The doctoral program in clinical psychology is fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.

In 2004, the department awarded nine doctorates, one of the largest graduating classes within the Graduate School.