The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan continues to be recognized nationally as a top graduate program in public affairs, according to the latest U.S News & World Report rankings.
In overall rankings for public affairs programs, the Ford School is #5 in the nation, up from its #8 spot in the previous USNWR rankings.
The Ford School continues to be ranked as the #1 program for "social policy.” In total the school has five specialty areas ranked in the top 10: we’re #2 in "public policy analysis," #5 in "health policy and management," #6 in "environmental policy and management," and #10 in "urban policy.”
The rankings were released today in the magazine's 2018 edition of "Best Graduate Schools.” The rankings reflect the opinions of administrative faculty members at departments or schools of public affairs, collected by survey in fall 2017.
"We're proud that our peer institutions recognize and value the strength of the Ford School," said Dean Michael S. Barr, "and we're looking forward to continuing to build on that strength, with more engaged learning opportunities, more cutting-edge research, and more engagement with helping to solve the world's problems in the years ahead."
The number two ranking in "public policy analysis," is likely the most accurate overall rating of the Ford School against its competitors in the field of public policy—a field that typically has quite different emphases in curricula and research than public affairs.
The other top-ranked specialties reflect the strength of the school's faculty in particular fields and the high level of interdisciplinary work done at Michigan, much of which supports the professional training of public policy students.
According to its published methodology, the magazine surveyed "deans, directors, and department chairs representing 282 master's programs in public affairs and administration; two surveys were sent to each school. Respondents were asked to rate the academic quality of master's programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding)." For specialty ratings, “deans and other academics at public affairs schools were asked to nominate up to 10 programs for excellence in each specialty. Those with the most nominations appear.” The response rate was 49 percent.
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