Texas Tech University was recently listed as the sixth top university for its kinesiology graduate program, according to GraduatePrograms.com. GraduatePrograms.com features peer-reviewed student ratings that cover 15 categories, such as academic competitiveness, education quality and graduate program value.
The rankings for the Texas Tech University graduate program represented a combination of programs from the Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management and Nutritional Sciences, as well as programs from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Health Professions. The master of athletic training, master of occupational therapy, doctor of philosophy in rehabilitation sciences and doctor of physical therapy programs were each a contributing factor to the high ranking received by Texas Tech University.
Angela Lumpkin, chair of the Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management believes it is the best reflection of faculty members and their hard work for the programs.
“Graduate students appreciate faculty mentors who genuinely enjoy helping them succeed in their programs of study and especially provide opportunities for them to get involved with collaborative research projects with the faculty member and other students,” said Lumpin. “Students who participate in internships really appreciate the work experiences, networking and job potential these provide them. Texas Tech’s high ranking reflects positively on our department’s excellent teaching and mentoring as well as the on graduate programs in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.”
Additionally, the key mission for TTUHSC to provide educational opportunities for students is a main factor thought by Kerry K. Gilbert, associate professor and program director for the doctor of physical therapy program.
“I believe several things set the graduate programs of the TTUHSC School of Health Professions apart from other universities,” said Gilbert. “Those include our ‘students first’ focus, realizing that we are here to help students learn and grow as professionals in their chosen field and we actively work to meet that goal; our faculty, which is comprised of top notch experts in their respective fields who care about our students; the support of the university from the president down; and that many health professions programs are housed in graduate schools. Being a part of a health sciences center is critical and provides the ability for interdisciplinary collaboration in education, scholarship and patient care.”
Rankings for GraduatePrograms.com included data from September 1, 2012 to September 30, 2015. Reviews are based on rankings posted by more than 75,000 students representing over 1,600 graduate programs nationwide. The Texas Tech University kinesiology graduate program rating was preceded by University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, The University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Florida, Purdue University and University of Maryland College Park. Following Texas Tech University, Baylor University was ranked 16th and The University of Texas at Austin was 19th.