Outranking such schools as DePaul, Georgetown and Loyola University, Saint Louis University’s Health Law program was rated second in the nation by U.S. News & World Report 2002 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools”.

According to a SLU press release, the Center for Health Law studies has consistently ranked first or second since specialty-law rankings began.

“We didn’t become the nation’s pre-eminent academic health law program by accident,” said Nicolas Terry, professor of law and co-director of the program. “I am not aware of any other health law program that benefits from the experience of eight full time faculty with such incredible credentials who devote their energy to teaching, research and building strong relationships with the potential employers of our graduates. Our students enjoy unparalleled contact with faculty and exposure to the richest and most innovative health law curriculum in the country.”

The rankings in this report are based on two types of data. The first is expert opinion about program quality. This entails polling faculty, program directors and deans to judge the quality of the program. The second type of data is statistics that describe the strength of a school’s faculty, research and the performance of students both as they enter and leave.

Though the honor does help admissions into the program, health law professor, Jesse Goldner does not believe being first, second or third makes a large difference. He also said that it is because of the many full-time health law faculty and the extra-curricular activities for health law students that the program has become known and appreciated.

Many students found this rating to be a reassurance. “Saint Louis University has a reputable name and to receive a good job in law it is necessary to have a credible background,” said law student Rachel Milazzo.

“Saint Louis University has this good ranking and I feel comfortable knowing that I will be able to go to New York and be appreciated and wanted for having graduated from a University that has that distinction,” he said.