Kristen adds, “That foundation allows our students to contribute to the field while meeting the needs of the communities they serve.”
Beyond research, doctoral students provide clinical services throughout the region. At UC’s Behavioral Health Center, the program’s training clinic, more than 200 clinical appointments were delivered, primarily serving Cincinnati-area residents in need of low-cost therapy.
Students also complete clinical placements with local organizations, working with medically complex children, neurodivergent individuals, varied populations and individuals involved in the court system, as well as providing services to UC students.
The program emphasizes training that prepares students to address current mental and behavioral health needs through research, clinical practice and community engagement. This approach is grounded in a scientist-practitioner model that integrates empirical study, theoretical knowledge and critical evaluation of research to inform care and outcomes.
“These efforts align with the Graduate College’s focus on accelerating discovery to practice through interdisciplinary collaboration while preparing students to address real-world challenges,” said Ryan White, interim dean of the Graduate College. “By connecting research and practice, UC graduate programs are strengthening communities while preparing students to lead across disciplines and industries.”
UC also continues to earn national recognition in several areas, including criminology (No. 4) and nurse anesthesia (No. 9), demonstrating strength across a wide range of graduate disciplines.
While some programs saw modest shifts in this year’s rankings, UC maintains strong national placement across dozens of graduate programs, indicating consistency and resilience amid the changing landscape of graduate education.
Online graduate offerings are also earning national recognition, particularly in nursing, information technology and criminal justice, expanding access to flexible, career-focused education for working professionals.
As UC continues to invest in high-impact graduate programs, the latest rankings place the university among national leaders in graduate education, with continued growth in programs that connect research, learning and workforce needs.