FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

U.S. News Ranks Two SDSU Graduate Programs in Top 25
Magazine Recognizes Rehabilitation Counseling, Entrepreneurship

SAN DIEGO, Friday, April 4, 2003 - San Diego State University’s Rehabilitation Counseling program ranks 12th in the nation, and SDSU’s Entrepreneurship program ranks 25th in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2004 rankings of “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” which were released today.

“We’re honored to be recognized as one of the top rehabilitation education programs in the nation,” said Fred McFarlane, professor and chair of the ARPE (Administration Rehabilitation Post-Secondary Education) program that houses the masters program in Rehabilitation Counseling. “We believe it demonstrates the standards of excellence achieved by our program graduates and faculty, as well as reflects the quality of education at SDSU. Our faculty has a strong commitment to continually refine and improve our program curriculum to meet the challenges of those whose job it is to help persons with disabilities improve their lives by seeking and obtaining meaningful employment.”

SDSU’s Rehabilitation Counseling program ranked above Syracuse University, the University of Texas, and Florida State University.

Sanford Ehrlich, executive director of SDSU’s Entrepreneurial Management Center, said his program’s new ranking reinforces its reputation as a national leader.

“We’re proud to be among the top 25 ranked schools in the country for the third year in a row,” said Sanford Ehrlich, executive director of the Entrepreneurial Management Center, which is part of SDSU’s College of Business Administration. “Our programs continue to expand to help our students achieve their goals in this ever-changing business environment.”

Other schools with Top 25 entrepreneurship programs include Stanford University, Harvard University, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

SDSU also recently was ranked by ENTREPRENEUR magazine as one of the top 13 regional universities in the U.S. for entrepreneurs.

About the Rehabilitation Counseling Program
The SDSU program offers 60 units of coursework necessary to build competencies in rehabilitation counseling, program development, and administration. Students often identify a specific population or work setting of particular interest and, with their graduate advisor, design their educational experiences. The practicum, clinical, and internship requirements comprise a large portion of the overall program. Students are given the option of taking a comprehensive examination, completing a master's degree thesis, or presenting a portfolio to the faculty.

About the SDSU College of Business
The College of Business Administration at San Diego State University is the sixth-largest accredited undergraduate business program in the U.S., offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs that reflect the entrepreneurial and international character of the San Diego region.

About the Entrepreneurial Management Center (EMC)
The SDSU Entrepreneurial Management Center was created in 1982 to provide students, organizations and individuals with education focusing on the application of the underlying principles and perspectives of entrepreneurship. The EMC’s objective is to help people improve their chances of achieving success by becoming immersed in all stages of the entrepreneurial process in both the classroom and the marketplace.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 78 areas, master's degrees in 62 areas and doctorates in 14. SDSU's more than 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information log on to www.sdsu.edu.

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