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KU programs rise, retain top spots in U.S. News and World Report rankings

Seven KU graduate programs moved up the national rankings ladder while an eighth -- already at No. 1 -- held onto its top spot in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Graduate Schools" rankings released today. Last year, five KU programs saw their rankings rise.

KU's special education program this year joined city management and urban policy at the No. 1 spot for public and private schools. Overall, KU has 43 nationally ranked academic programs, 29 of which are ranked among the nation's top 30 public schools.

The largest jump was recorded by the School of Medicine's primary care program, which leapt up 11 spots to be ranked 30th in the country among public universities. The School of Allied Health's occupational therapy program placed second in the nation, up from fourth. It joins KU's community health program in a No. 2 spot.

"The people of Kansas can be proud of the dedication and quality of the students, faculty and staff at the KU Medical Center," said Barbara Atkinson, executive vice chancellor of the KU Medical Center and executive dean of the School of Medicine. "At a time when our state and nation face a primary care crisis, KU is committed to training a strong health care workforce."

The public management/ administration and public affairs programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences moved up one spot each to third and fourth nationally among public universities. Speech-language pathology moved up two spots to fourth in the nation, and audiology was ranked seventh. Clinical child psychology jumped six spots to 13th, and clinical psychology rose five places to 18th.

Only selected academic disciplines are ranked.

KU's public programs ranked in the top 30 nationally are:

1. City management and urban policy (master)
1. Special education (master/doctorate)
2. Community health (master/doctorate)
2. Occupational therapy (master/doctorate)
3. Paleontology (doctorate)
3. Public management/ administration (master)
4. Public affairs (master)
4. Speech-language-pathology (master)
7. Audiology (doctorate)
7. Petroleum engineering (master/doctorate)
9. Nursing-midwifery (master)
10. Physical therapy (master/doctorate)
11. Social work (master)
12. Music (master)
13. School of Education (master/doctorate)
13. Clinical child psychology (doctorate)
16. Pharmacy (PharmD)
17. Public finance and budgeting (master)
18. Clinical psychology (doctorate)
22. Health care management (master)
23. Drama/theatre (master)
24. History (doctorate)
25. Nursing-anesthesia (master)
26. Fine arts (master)
28. Nursing (master)
28. Aerospace engineering (master/doctorate)
30. Biological sciences (doctorate)
30. Political science (doctorate)
30. Medical school -- primary care (MD)
U.S. News has published the "Best Graduate Schools" report since 1990.

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Dedicated April 2, 1946, Danforth Chapel was designed in a Gothic Revival style by alumnus Edward W. Tanner and built in part by German masons who were prisoners of war at a camp near Lawrence. An addition completed in fall 2007 includes a bridal party dressing room. KU's is one of 24 Danforth chapels financed largely by William H. Danforth, chair of the Ralston Purina Co. of St. Louis. For more, visit www.buildings.ku.edu.