U.S.News & World Report: Miami has strong commitment to teaching

Miami University is ranked among the top universities in the country for its commitment to undergraduate teaching by U.S.News & World Report. In the 2010 edition of America's Best Colleges Miami is tied for eighth, and among only 19 national universities cited for their strong commitment to teaching.

In a new ranking in the annual guide, U.S. News says it asked university officials in a peer assessment survey to identify schools where the faculty has an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. A common theme among named schools was a productive, caring faculty, says the magazine. Miami tied for eighth place with Duke University and the University of Notre Dame.

Overall, Miami ranked 34th among top public national universities in the country.

For the fifth consecutive year, Miami is featured in the magazine’s "Programs to Look For" section, described as “outstanding examples of academic programs that are commonly linked to student success.” These are also culled from a survey of university presidents, chief academic officers and deans of admissions. Miami is cited for its “learning communities” in which students typically take two or more linked courses as a group and get to know one another and their professors well. At Miami, students live in themed residence hallsthat provide special classes and opportunities in areas such as health, a foreign language, leadership, the arts or engineering. Miami was also cited for emphasis in “writing in the disciplines,” making writing a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum. Through the Howe Center for Writing Excellence, Miami students have unique access to writing support and resources.