Recently released rankings from U.S. News & World Report show USC’s health sciences graduate schools remain among the best in the nation, improving or maintaining their prestige in the annual lists.

The Keck School of Medicine of USC, the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and the USC School of Pharmacy all saw their rankings improved or maintained in the 2017 Best Graduate Schools list, released March 16.

For the second consecutive year, the Keck School was ranked 31st in research, reflecting the school’s continued prominence among the nation’s best educators for future physicians, as well as its commitment to advancing the field of medicine.

“The Keck School’s national ranking remains in its highest position ever, a testament to the caliber of our transformative clinician researchers and innovative programs,” said Carmen A. Puliafito, MD, MBA, dean of the Keck School of Medicine. “Together with the best and brightest medical students, we will become one of the top medical schools for research in the country.”

The USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy is ranked No. 3 in the latest rankings of the nation’s occupational therapy graduate educational programs. Since the rankings began in 1998, USC Chan has continuously been ranked among the top three.

Meanwhile, the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy retained its No. 1 ranking in physical therapy, which it has earned since 2004. This year’s top ranking is shared with the University of Delaware, the University of Pittsburgh and Washington University in St. Louis.

The USC School of Pharmacy remains the nation’s top-ranked private pharmacy school and the top-ranked pharmacy school in Southern California with its No. 9 ranking, an increase from its previous No. 10 ranking.

“I am incredibly proud of the work that our talented faculty, staff and students at USC School of Pharmacy do every day as we seek to achieve our mission of leading pharmacy education in California and across the nation,” said Interim Dean Glen L. Stimmel, PharmD. “We’re shaping the future of pharmacy practice, integrative research and educational excellence, and our efforts have been recognized by our peer schools of pharmacy across the country.”

U.S. News & World Report compiles its rankings based on surveys from academic representatives across the nation, as well as criteria that includes student selectivity and research grants. For a full list of rankings, go to www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools.

by Health Sciences Staff