Fordham’s Graduate School of Social Service (GSS) is among the nation’s top 15 graduate schools of social work, according to the editors of U.S. News & World Report.
GSS was part of a five-way tie for 11th place among schools of social work offering an advanced degree, rising seven places from its previous 18th place ranking in 2008. It shares honors with the University of Pittsburgh, University of Southern California, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Virginia Commonwealth University. Among New-York-area schools of social work, only Columbia University placed higher, coming in at No. 5.
The rankings were part of the 2013 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” released March 13, 2012, U.S. News & World Report. The academic quality of programs was measured on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). GSS received a ranking of 3.7, up .2 from its previous score.
“I am very pleased with the U.S. News & World Reports rankings of schools of social work that ranks Fordham second in the city and second in the state,” said Peter Vaughan, Ph.D., dean of the GSS. “Our position in the rankings speaks to the recognition by colleagues across the country of the scholarship and hard work of the faculty and administration of GSS.”
Vaughan added that the stellar academic performance of GSS’ doctoral graduates who join faculties of other schools of social work was also represented in the new ranking.
Top honors were shared by Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, both of which received scores of 4.4.
Program rankings were based on the results of peer assessment surveys that were sent to deans, administrators, and faculty at accredited degree programs.
Surveys for the 2012 rankings were conducted in 2011 for social work programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. Survey response rate was 53 percent, according to U.S. News.
