y a wide margin, scholars holding doctoral degrees from the University at Albany's School of Criminal Justice made the most contributions to the eight leading journals in the criminal justice field, according to a just published study in the Journal of Criminal Justice.

Of the 30 leading criminal justice programs among American universities, graduates of UAlbany produced more than 11 percent — 114 of 1,031 — of the research articles to the eight journals from Jan 1, 1991, through Dec. 31, 1995. Second on the list was the criminal justice school of Florida State University, with 83 contributions, and tied for third, with 50 each, were the universities of North Carolina and Illinois.

The study's author, David Fabianic, professor of criminal justice and legal studies at the University of Central Florida, also pointed out that UAlbany graduates comprised the largest number of different contributors — 58 of 595 (Florida State was second with 39) — and total manuscript responsibility — 67.82 manuscript credits of 555 total manuscripts (Florida State again second, with 42.80).

Fabianic notes that the 30 institutions listed "produced the scholars associated with approximately two-thirds of the manuscripts and contributions" to the "journals most often recognized as important to the field." UAlbany's School of Criminal Justice has consistently been rated in the top five such schools in the nation since its inception in 1969.

"Our school has a long tradition of education the leading scholars in criminal justice," said Interim Dean James Acker. "This is a testament to the scholarship and productivity that the faculty and the students have made to the field over the course of three decades."

Contact: Vincent Reda, 518-437-4985

The University at Albany's School of Criminal Justice and Department of Public Administration are among the top ten in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings of "America's Best Graduate Schools." UAlbany's School of Public Administration was ranked #8, up from #11 last year and the School of Criminal Justice was ranked #4. "The strong ranking testifies to the fact that Rockefeller College is one of the premier places in the country to study public administration, policy and government," said Frank Thompson, dean of the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. "Rockefeller College is in the top five percent of such schools across the nation year after year. Our programs attract fine faculty and students from all over the world and address national and global issues, but we feel a special commitment to engaging the needs of the Capital District and state." The Albany School of Criminal Justice became the first Ph.D.-granting program in the field following a program design now known as "The Albany Model" which is emulated across the country. The School is committed to the interdisciplinary study of criminal justice. The major emphasis is sophisticated research on crime measurement and causation, as well as research into questions of appropriate and effective methods of crime control in a democratic society. The public administration and policy program offers an array of specialties from public finance to information management to democracy and administration. Students have abundant opportunities to supplement their knowledge with internship experiences in the Capital District or in Washington, D.C. The results appeared in the 2002 America's Best Graduate Schools guidebook. The current issue of U.S. News contains select rankings. The guidebook, with all the rankings and other features, is available as well. All of the rankings and articles from Best Graduate Schools can also be found at U.S. News Online (http://www.usnews.com). The rankings are only one of many important criteria students should consider when choosing a graduate school. U.S. News first ranked graduate schools in 1987 and has done so annually since 1990. Contact:  Lisa James Goldsberry (518) 437-4989