UA School of Law Ranked 40th in Latest U.S. News Listing; Business School Also Highly Rated

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report has ranked The University of Alabama School of Law among the Top 50 law schools in the nation.

UA’s School of Law is ranked 40th in U.S. News’ 2005 edition of its annual “Best Graduate Schools” publication. The ranking is the highest ever for the UA Law School.

The Manderson Graduate School of Business at UA is ranked 61st by U.S. News and World Report. The Alabama MBA is one of the most selective in the country with 37 percent selectivity.

“The Law School is immensely proud to have achieved its highest national ranking ever,” said Ken Randall, dean of the UA School of Law. “For the first time in our history, we are a top 40 law school. For the past five years, we were a top 50 law school, but 2004 represents another milestone in the Law School’s upward trajectory.”

“We’re delighted our MBA program continues to be nationally recognized,” said Dr. J. Barry Mason, dean of UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. “Our program provides our graduates with a tremendous value at a reasonable cost.” Mason cited the leadership of UA President Robert E. Witt and Provost Judy Bonner in the University’s continued progress. “Our goal is to continue to improve every year,” Mason said of the College’s programs.

In addition to the law and business rankings, UA’s doctoral program in clinical psychology is ranked 68th in the new rankings, up from 82nd in 2001, the last time U.S. News ranked graduate programs in psychology. The ranking places UA among the top 30 percent of the more than 230 accredited psychology doctoral programs in the nation. UA’s master’s degree program in social work is ranked 66th and the master’s program in speech-language pathology is ranked 86th.

“These rankings are evidence that our reputation is catching up with reality,” said Dr. Ron Rogers, UA assistant vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School. “Our graduate programs have been improving for years. This recognition demonstrates that our peers are recognizing the quality we have to offer.”

“We are the 17th best public law school in the United States,” Randall said. “Every citizen in the state of Alabama can be proud that our state has a nationally recognized law school.”

In the mid 1990s, Alabama was ranked in the third tier of all law schools. Over a six year period, the law school has moved up approximately 40 to 50 spots in the rankings.

“The law school’s progress has been mapped out under a strategic plan for academic excellence,” Randall said. “This latest achievement is a tribute to the law faculty, our staff and students and to all of our graduates. The law school enjoys the support of the entire University of Alabama.”

The national law school rankings involve a reputational assessment by lawyers and judges around the country, as well as by legal educators throughout the United States. On an objective basis, the ranking includes statistics in the areas of admissions, bar passage and career services.

“The success of our law library and of our clinical programs is also included in our national ranking,” Randall said. “The Alabama law faculty, staff and students have done a tremendous job in making possible the academic achievements that are reflected in this latest ranking. The Law School’s educational aspirations are high, and it is gratifying that the institution’s success is reflected in the U.S. News and World Report.”

For the business school’s rankings, all 377 accredited master’s programs were surveyed, according to U.S. News and World Report’s web site. Among the data used to compile the rankings were ratings from business school deans, corporate recruiters and directors of accredited business school programs. The strength of the programs’ students, based on standardized test scores and grades, are also weighed, and graduates’ salary figures and employment rates are factored in the rankings.

The hallmark of UA’s MBA program is the selection of a diverse academic and professional class that has in common high achievement and high potential for leadership.

The UA School of Law is Alabama’s only public law school. About 80 percent of its students are Alabamians. Some 97 percent of the May 2003 graduates of the UA School of Law who took the Alabama bar exam in July passed. Overall 94 percent of the UA graduates who took the exam in July passed, compared with an overall state rate of 70 percent.