U. S. News & World Report has placed the health law program at the DePaul University College of Law among the 10 best in the county in its latest rankings. The annual survey also identified DePaul’s College of Law as one of the nation’s most racially diverse. U.S. News & World Report’s specialty program rankings are based on a national survey of university deans and administrators.

“The health law program at DePaul has consistently been ranked among the top ten in the nation by U. S. News & World Report and that distinction mirrors the dedicated faculty, committed alumni, challenging curriculum and energetic students that compose the program,” said Wayne Lewis, acting dean. “The combined effort of those associated with the program ensures that DePaul will continue to produce some of the highest skilled and capable graduates in the area of health law.”

The health law program is part of DePaul’s Health Law Institute, which was established in 1984 as a comprehensive program of interdisciplinary research and education in the field of health law. The institute provides law students, practicing attorneys and health care professionals with training in health law, as well as real-world experience through externships. It offers a Master of Law degree (LL.M.) in health law and a health law certificate, while sponsoring a range of conferences, programs and seminars.

The institute recently expanded its focus to include critical health issues that impact inner-city communities and will take a national lead on urban health issues such as the disparities in health care access and funding, women’s and children’s health, prescription drugs and research on health issues involving the poor and people of color.

U. S. News also cited DePaul for having one of the most racially diverse student bodies among the nation’s 186 accredited law schools. Of the 1,057 students enrolled in the College of Law during the 2001-2002 academic year, 8.9 percent were Asian American, 7.2 percent were African American and 8.7 percent were Hispanic.

While the rankings can serve as one tool for students interested in selecting the best law school fit, Lewis strongly suggested that prospective students also consider a number of factors in concert with the rankings. “When choosing a law school students should consider an institution’s distinctive character and qualities to ensure that a school is most suitable for their law school needs,” said Lewis.

The DePaul University College of Law, which was established over 100 years ago, offers students state-of-the-art facilities and unique educational opportunities, including three joint degree programs, seven certificate programs , and two Master of Laws programs. The Law School also boasts six legal clinics and five research centers and institutes that focus on a variety of specialty areas. DePaul law graduates, who number more than 12,000, include managing partners and executive committee members of dozens of major law firms and chief executive officers and general counsels of a number of well-known national and international corporations. Alumni also include numerous state and federal judges, many municipal, county and state leaders, and two generations of Chicago mayors.