Akron, Ohio, April 1, 2005 The University of Akron graduate industrial/organizational psychology program has risen in prominence, based on the latest rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report. In the magazine's 2006 rankings, the I/O psychology program rose to sixth place in the nation from its former eighth-place ranking.

UA's industrial/organizational psychology program is recognized as a national leader in research productivity; graduate placement in the corporate, consulting and academic arenas; and influence in the field. The program has been recognized by the state of Ohio as a center of excellence, and it has been awarded two six-year Academic Challenge Grants totaling more than $800,000 to enhance its strengths in information processing relating to I/O psychology.

The University of Akron was among four Ohio public institutions of higher education with programs newly ranked among the top 25 nationally, including The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati and Bowling Green State University.

UA's College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is currently ranked second in the nation by the magazine; the category was not re-ranked for the 2006 edition. The University of Akron is the only university in Ohio with a science and engineering program ranked in the top five nationally by U.S. News.