UNM PROGRAMS AMONG THE BEST IN 2004 U.S. NEWS SURVEY

April 4, 2003

UNM PROGRAMS AMONG THE BEST IN 2004 U.S. NEWS SURVEY

The University of New Mexico ranks among the best in the nation when it comes to graduate programs in law, fine arts and medicine. This year, seven UNM programs were cited among the best in the country.

U.S. News and World Report first ranked graduate schools in 1987, and has done so annually since 1990.

For the 13th consecutive year, U.S.News &World Report has ranked UNM School of Medicine in the top 15 primary care-oriented medical schools. Four programs in the School of Medicine cracked the top 10. For the eighth consecutive year, the school's rural medicine program holds the second spot in the nation. UNM's primary-care curriculum ranks seventh this year and UNM's family medicine program moved from sixth to fifth place this year. The nursing/midwifery ranks third, a leap from the last time it made the list, ranking 16th in 1998. The Midwifery Program trains College of Nursing students to become nurse-midwives.

The UNM clinical law training program remains in the top 10; and for the second year, U.S. News identified the law schools in the country with the most racially diverse student bodies. The diversity index is based on the total proportion of minority students - not including international students - and the mix of racial groups on campus. UNM's law school made the table because its student population is 23 percent Hispanic. To be included in the table, the law school must be accredited by the American Bar Association.

UNM's law school remains among the top 100 law schools in the nation, ranking 76th. Also among the top 100, the School of Engineering ranks 67th, a drop from last year's ranking of 48th.

The UNM master in fine arts program ranks no. 51 and the photography programs shares a second place standing with the Rhode Island School of Design. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago is ranked no. one.

Every year the magazine ranks graduate programs in medicine, law and business. Other graduate programs are evaluated every three years. New rankings this year were produced in selected health fields and fine arts, surveying nearly 2,000 faculty and administrators. The rankings in these fields, plus those from previous years in health-related fields, humanities, sciences, social sciences and public affairs, are based solely on the ratings of academic experts.

April 7 is the big day for U.S. News. The 2004 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools will be available. Many, but not all of the rankings will also be included in the April 14 edition of U.S. News. Additionally, the rankings are available on the U.S. News Online website http://www.usnews.com April 4.

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