Academic Programs to Look For

This is the seventh consecutive year that U.S. News is publishing a list of schools with outstanding examples of academic programs that are believed to lead to student success. With the help of education experts, including staff members of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, we identified eight such types of programs. We then invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students, and deans of admissions from over 1,300 schools to nominate up to 10 institutions with stellar examples of each program type. Colleges and universities that were mentioned most often are listed here, in alphabetical order.

First-year experiences

Orientation can go only so far in making freshmen feel connected. Many schools now build into the curriculum first-year seminars or other programs that bring small groups of students together with faculty or staff on a regular basis.

Internships/Co-ops

Schools voted into this category require or encourage students to apply what they're learning in the classroom out in the real world--through closely supervised internships or practicums, or through cooperative education, in which a period of study typically alternates with one of work.

Senior capstone

Whether they're called a senior capstone or by some other name, these culminating experiences ask students nearing the end of their college years to create a project of some sort that integrates and synthesizes what they've learned. The project might be a thesis, a performance, or an exhibit of artwork.

Undergraduate research/Creative projects

Independently or in small teams, and mentored by a faculty member, students do intensive and self-directed research or creative work that results in an original scholarly paper or other product that can be formally presented on or off campus.

Learning communities

Students typically take two or more linked courses as a group and get to know one another and their professors especially well. The idea is to keep the discussions going after class ends.

Study abroad

These programs involve substantial academic work--a year or a semester or an intensive experience equal to a course--and considerable interaction between the student and the culture.

Service learning

In service-learning programs, volunteering in the community is an instructional strategy--and a requirement of a student's coursework. The service relates to what happens in class and vice versa.

Writing in the disciplines

These colleges typically make the writing process a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum. Students are encouraged to produce and refine various forms of writing for different audiences in different disciplines.