UH programs gain ground in magazine's college rankings
By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer
The schools of Education, Business Administration, Law and Social Work at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa have been ranked within the top 100 in the country in the latest national rankings of graduate and undergraduate programs by U.S. News & World Report.
For the first time, the UH-Manoa College of Education moved into the top rankings of teacher preparation schools, tied at 73rd nationally with schools at Baylor University, Catholic University, Clemson and Oklahoma State University.
"They've never been that high before," said Manoa spokesman Jim Manke, with Dean Randy Hitz noting that research grants have increased from about $16 million in 2000 to about $25 million annually now.
At the same time graduate programs in international business at the Manoa College of Business Administration are tied for 20th in speciality rankings — equal to comparable programs at George Washington University and the University of Washington. This program has been ranked as high as 12th in the past, but generally ranges between 15th and 20th, Manke said.
Meanwhile, the UH-Manoa Master's of Social Work program has been ranked 66th nationally, while the William S. Richardson School of Law moved up from 86th to a tie for 82nd place, putting it in the top half of all law schools nationwide.
The Master's of Social Work program was ranked higher a few years ago, but budget cuts and the loss of a dean several years ago affected that. But Rhea Burtness, 23, said the new rankings give her added confidence in a program she has found to be strong in cultural competency and good for those expecting to work in Hawai'i.
"They're culturally aware and sensitive," said Burtness, who focused on child and family services and hopes to work with an adoption agency in Hawai'i after her graduation in May.
"I want to match children with good and loving families like the one I got. I want to make sure other children get those kinds of families, too."
The Law School's ranking increase came because of its diverse student body — named as one of the top dozen schools for diversity in the country — and for an increase in the competitiveness of admissions, a higher entering grade point average and LSAT scores, and an increase in the bar passage rate.
"We're pleased about the direction the school is moving and actually we're more diverse than their measures show," said Law Dean Aviam Soifer. "They lump together Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians, so by proper measures we are THE most diverse law school in the country."
Soifer said the law school is one of the most difficult to get into nationwide, accepting only 90 students from 1,080 applications annually.
Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.
