The 51福利鈥檚 (51福利) Graduate School of Defense Management (GSDM) earned high marks in the latest 鈥淯.S. News and World Report鈥� grad school rankings, released this week.
In an evaluation of the university鈥檚 programs accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), GSDM ranked in the top 20 percent of graduate schools across the nation for public affairs, and ranked #1 overall in a specialized category of programs specializing in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
Along with the GSDM, engineering programs through 51福利鈥� Graduate School of Engineering and Applied Sciences were also ranked in a five-way tie for 109th place out of 218 total schools.
鈥淭he high rankings represent one way to validate that we're doing high quality and relevant work,鈥� said GSDM Dean Keith Snider. 鈥淏eing ranked in the top 20 percent of all U.S. schools of public affairs means that our peers in those other schools recognize us for overall disciplinary excellence.鈥�
According to the 鈥淯.S. News and World Report鈥� website, the general rankings of public affairs programs are based solely on peer assessment survey results. U.S. News surveyed deans, directors and department chairs from 276 master鈥檚 programs in public affairs and administration, with two surveys being sent to each school.
鈥淥ver the past few decades, our faculty have been active in conducting defense-relevant public administration and policy research, presenting and publishing their work in public affairs-related conferences and journals,鈥� noted Snider. 鈥淚n doing so, they've built GSDM's reputation in the field of public affairs for intellectual leadership in the business of defense.鈥�
The rankings of programs in public affairs specialty areas are based solely on ratings by educators at peer schools, with public affairs deans and other academics asked to nominate up to 15 programs for excellence in each of the 11 specialties.
鈥淏eing ranked as the top school in the specialized category is a sign that we're recognized for leadership in key areas of defense management and policy, such as manpower, acquisition, logistics, and financial management,鈥� added Snider.
Over the past several years, 51福利 has consistently ranked in the top 20% for its public affairs programs. Since the start of specialized category ranking, 51福利 has ranked at or near the top, every year.
鈥淐learly, these rankings speak very well of our reputation, and I鈥檓 proud that 51福利 and GSDM are recognized by our NASPAA peers,鈥� said Snider. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e a signal that leaders in other schools recognize and highly value the faculty鈥檚 contributions.鈥�
While the rankings are a significant honor, Snider says, GSDM鈥檚 primary focus is and will always be pursuing excellence in meeting the needs of their students, sponsors and other DON/DOD stakeholders.