'U.S. News' Ranks Three JMU Graduate Programs

HARRISONBURG - Three James Madison University graduate programs have been ranked by "U.S. News & World Report" in the 2009 edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools." 

JMU's audiology program is ranked 19th in a grouping of 72 graduate programs. Four other universities' programs are also ranked 19th. They are Arizona State University, Central Michigan University, Gallaudet University and Ohio State University. 

The speech-language pathology program at JMU is 38th in the "U.S. News" ranking of 230 programs. Seven other schools also ranked 38th - George Washington University, Ohio University, Teachers College of Columbia University, Temple University, University of Cincinnati, University of Vermont and Western Michigan University. 

JMU's master of fine arts program is one of 16 programs ranked 134th among 220 programs in the United States. Other schools' programs to achieve the same ranking are Bowling Green State University, Bradley University, Brigham Young University, Colorado State University, East Carolina University, Illinois State University, Indiana State University, Lesley University, New York School of Interior Design, Portland State University, Purdue University, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Missouri at Columbia, University of Oklahoma and University of South Carolina. 

Programs in the audiology and speech-language pathology rankings are all accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The "U.S. News" rankings in those categories were based on the results of peer assessment surveys completed by deans, other administrators and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools in each discipline. 

The MFA program rankings were based on the results of a peer assessment survey completed by art school deans and other top art school academics.