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Graduate education programs at top of nationwide rankings

Two graduate programs in the University's College of Education and Human Development are the best in the country.

That's the opinion of education educators and professionals who were asked to rate education administration programs at colleges and universities nationwide. They ranked Bowling Green's master's degree program in College Student Personnel as the top program of its kind in the country and the University's doctoral program in higher education administration as the second best program in the nation.

The survey was conducted by a four-person team of education experts. The results were presented at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators conference, held recently in New Orleans.

"I am gratified that the hard work done by our faculty is being recognized by their peers," said Robert DeBard, acting chair, higher education and student affairs.

DeBard added that the rankings reflect the dedication and commitment of two men: the late Gerald Saddlemire, who was the first department chair and guided the College Student Personnel program for 20 years until his retirement in 1989, and Donald Gehring, who has won national awards for his teaching and research and has directed the doctoral program since coming to campus in 1991.

"I am especially pleased the final rankings were determined by interviewing both practitioners and faculty in the field about the reputation of the various programs. It is wonderful that our colleagues think highly of our program, and it speaks directly to the quality of our faculty and our graduates," DeBard said.

Survey participants were asked to rate programs in a variety of categories, such as quality of teaching, students, graduates, and internship and assistantship opportunities; quality and flexibility of the curriculum; and placement success of graduates.

The College Student Personnel program receives more than 150 applications annually for the 35-40 available spots. As an indication of its national reputation, DeBard said the 38 students accepted into this fall's class are from 27 states.

Since its inception, more than 1,200 students have graduated from the program and are working at colleges and universities throughout the nation.

Since 1990, about 50 students have graduated from the doctoral program, which accepts 8-10 students each year.

Among college student personnel programs, Indiana University and the University of Maryland finished second and third, respectively. Other Ohio schools in the top 10 included Miami University, fifth, and Ohio State University, ninth.

Indiana was judged to have the top doctoral program in higher education administration, while Maryland finished third. Other area schools in the top 10 were Ohio State, fifth, and Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, sixth and ninth, respectively.