SDSU Ranked Number One Small Research University in the Nation

The FSP Index, created by Academic Analytics, ranks universities based on the productivity of their faculty, including their publications, citations and financial and honorary awards won.  Programs, not individual faculty, are rated and are aggregated to produce quantitative rankings of whole universities.  The official ranking report was released this week.

“This distinction reflects the solid work being done by faculty and staff at this premiere urban research university,” said SDSU President Stephen L. Weber.  “Scholarly productivity and research are expressions of our faculty’s diligence to provide a learning environment that serves both our students and our community.”

“Small research university” refers to universities which offer 14 or fewer Ph.D. programs.  In 2005, the year from which the rankings are based, SDSU had a total of 10 Ph.D. programs offered jointly with University of California,San Diego; University of California,Santa Barbara; and Claremont Graduate University.

“San Diego State University should be incredibly proud of this achievement," says Dr. Lawrence Martin, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Consultant to Academic Analytics. "The data that supports this study is valuable in helping any research university remain at the top of its game and helps other universities learn how to improve productivity in order to attain top status."

Earlier this year, three of SDSU’s joint Ph.D. programs were recognized among the top five in the country based on the FSP Index and published by the Chronicle of Higher Education.  In that report, SDSU’s clinical psychology program was ranked first in its field among all universities nationwide.

"Academic reputations change more slowly than achievements and our reputation is just now catching up with our scholarly research productivity," said Tom Scott, vice president for research. "Reports like these will accelerate the nation's recognition of the scholarly institution SDSU has become."

In addition to clinical psychology, SDSU has Ph.D. programs in the following fields: biology, chemistry, computational science, ecology, education, engineering sciences/applied mechanics, geography, language and communicative disorders, mathematics and science education, and public health (epidemiology and health behavioral sciences.)

Academic Analytics is a collaboration between faculty and researchers at the Stony Brook University and Educational Directories Unlimited.  Academic Analytics compiles and distributes the FSP Index, a new method for ranking doctoral programs at research universities, both Carnegie Research Extensive and Research Intensive.  SDSU has been designated a "Research University" with high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 81 areas, master's degrees in 73 areas and doctorates (Ph.D, Au.D. and Ed.D.) in 16 areas. SDSU's more than 34,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.