The Batten School entered the U.S. News and World Report rankings for the first time yesterday, placing 46th among the nation's top graduate public affairs programs.
The Batten School was established during 2007 as an accelerated bachelor's and master's in public policy program for undergraduate students and also offers a two-year master's program.
University Executive Vice President and Provost John Simon said in an email yesterday the Batten School has worked during the past several years to improve its national standing and the quality of instruction it provides students.
"We built our reputation initially by utilizing some outstanding faculty from other units here at U.Va. to teach... here in the Batten School, and increasingly by recruiting our own first-rate full and part-time faculty from off-Grounds," Simon said in the email.
The program's curricula emphasize the connection between leadership and public policy, which Simon said has helped attract strong students and bolstered the school's reputation.
"[The Batten School offers] a distinctive and innovative curriculum focusing on the changing context of public policy in the 21st century and above all on the skills necessary for effective civic leadership, as well as on rigorous analytical skills," Simon said. "We have attracted some extraordinary students who have already achieved some impressive placements upon graduation and are building our reputation among employers."
Simon said the Batten School plans to continue its current strategy for improving the school's national standing.
"[We will continue] recruiting great students and faculty, enlarging our innovative curriculum, and also using our faculty, alumni, and a growing program of public events to spread the word about the school," he said.
U.S. News and World Report also ranked the Law School seventh in the nation, the Darden School seventh, the Education School's graduate program 23rd, and the Engineering School's graduate program 39th.
-compiled by Alex Evans
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