 "Photo: Ryan Joyce")
Boston College just earned another honor for its excellence in academics. Actually, make that four.
Four BC graduate programs improved their standings in US News & World Report's latest annual graduate school rankings. The Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), the Lynch School of Education (LSOE), the Carroll School of Management (CSOM), and Boston College Law School all moved up in their respective categories. GSSW had the most dramatic increase, jumping to 14th from 24th a year ago. CSOM's full-time MBA program followed with a five-place improvement to 34th. LSOE moved up four spots to 18th. and BC Law moved two spots to 26th. Nursing schools were not ranked this year, so the Connell School of Nursing (CSON) remained at No. 26.
Dean of GSSW Alberto Godenzi attributed much of his school's improvement to BC's growing fame and image. In the past, he said, GSSW and BC have had problems with name recognition. BC was often confused with Boston University and the word "College" led people to believe that BC only served undergraduates.
In the last four years though, both BC and GSSW have improved their name recognition and developed themselves as brands. "We are much clearer about who we are as a school, making sure that we distinguish ourselves from the competition," Godenzi said. GSSW built on the strengths of its faculty, staff, and students as well as its expertise in the area of aging and global issues. "Today, many deans and faculty across the nation seem to associate our school with a number of distinctions," Godenzi said. "We became a leader in the fields of aging and global practices, we are driven by BC's social justice mission, and the quality of our graduates is outstanding."
Godenzi said better rankings will help GSSW graduates in the job market, give faculty more external funding, and attract more donors.
Dean of CSOM Andrew Boynton said that the rankings are of the school's full-time MBA program, not the graduate school as a whole. He explained, however, the importance of this measure: "For many stakeholders in the world of business and management, a university's full-time MBA is the signature for how effective the business school is," he said.
This is the highest ranking for CSOM's full-time MBA program ever and it places it within the top 8 percent of all programs. Boynton pinpointed Jeff Ringuest, associate dean for graduate programs, as the catalyst for the rise. Ringuest took over the program three years ago and brought new leadership and energy to it. The curriculum was changed and Ringuest worked to improve the rest of the program by increasing its ties to the Jesuit heritage of BC.
"They did a lot of things step by step, brick by brick, to make this stronger, and to me that's how you build a stronger program," Boynton said of Ringuest and his team.
Boynton said CSOM is still focused on its undergraduates, pointing to the synergy between the two levels. Many faculty teach on both levels and the energy carries over, he said.
Dean of LSOE Joseph O'Keefe, S.J., gave full credit to the faculty and staff of LSOE. "It's not my doing; it's really the doing of the faculty and students. I give credit to them." He said the school has built up a reputation around the country which has led to its upward trajectory in the rankings. By moving from the top 25 to the top 20, it has edged into the top tier of education schools in the nation.
O'Keefe also noted the benefits that these rankings have for undergraduates. Undergraduates are taught by the same professors and large numbers of students can work with faculty and graduate students on research.
Although he appreciates the rankings, the main focus for O'Keefe and LSOE is the mission of the school and its commitment to social justice. "When I see the work in inner-city Boston and our grad students who empower communities to enhance the lives of children and families, it gives me the most satisfaction," O'Keefe said.
BC Law Dean John Garvey credited his students, faculty, and the school's plan for its success. "Our strategic plan is designed with one thought in mind - to make BC a better law school. It is, though, a not unwelcome side effect that many of the changes should continue to help us in the rankings," he said in an e-mail.
Just how much stock do students take in these rankings though? Aisling Jumper, BC Law '08, used US News's rankings as a preliminary resource, but her final decision to come to BC was based on other things like faculty, atmosphere, and employment after graduation. "I am delighted with our recent rise in the rankings and I hope it continues in the future because BC Law is a great law school," she said.
No one is getting too smug, though. Each of the four schools has plans to continue fulfilling its missions and climbing in the rankings.
"In 2005 we presented the 'Rise to the Top' strategy to the leaders of BC. The new ranking marks an important milestone in this journey," Godenzi said of GSSW. The school will be getting its own building as part of the University Master Plan. In addition, Godenzi wants to reduce the student to faculty ratio down to 10:1, increase the number of endowed chairs for GSSW, and increase its endowment and financial aid for students. He hopes this will move GSSW into the top 10.
Boynton expects both the MBA and undergraduate programs to continue improving in the future. "To me we just have to be relentless and persistent. Ever to excel. That's it. Every day." Both programs continue to focus on student formation and connecting with the greater BC community. In addition, he said, the MBA program focuses on creating successful professionals and ethical leaders for life. He said the program is not far from being ranked 29th or 30th.
LSOE aims to add to its resources, especially its faculty. O'Keefe said that while his faculty work very hard, they are maxed out and need more help. LSOE will also continue to follow its mission of social justice.
BC Law will try to build on the success of its Master of Laws (LL.M.) Program, hire more faculty, decrease course loads, improve alumni relations, and increase scholarship money.
Garvey still wants to keep the focus on BC Law's identity though, he said. "Most importantly, we are a unique community of scholars intent on educating our students to make a difference in the world in whatever career they choose. We must not lose our identity in chasing a few percentage points on a rankings system that cannot hope to capture the soul of an institution. In targeting US News, we must not lose focus on what makes BC Law a truly unique place to be," Garvey said.
Every year, US News & World Report ranks professional school programs based on expert opinion from deans, program directors, and senior faculty, and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school's faculty, research, and students. This year it surveyed over 1,200 programs and 14,000 academics and professionals to score schools.
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