A study published in The Counseling Psychologist ranks Ball State University's counseling psychology program among the nation's best for scholarly productivity in four esteemed psychology journals. The study, which was published in the journal's May issue, ranked Ball State 11th in North America.

"This ranking represents a significant jump for our department," said Sharon Bowman, department chair. "Based on publications from flagship journals in counseling psychology over the last 10 years, we went from previously being unranked to one of the top 20 programs in the country."

In the last five years, 12 faculty members published 115 articles, book chapters and books, with 62 graduate students coauthoring many of the publications. Faculty members gave 154 presentations, and 122 graduate students were involved in these presentations, according to Larry Gerstein, director of the counseling psychology doctoral program.

"Our faculty members are actively involved in professional organizations and activities as well," he said. "Many have served as editors or on editorial boards of professional publications, while others are active in presenting at or organizing national counseling psychology conferences."

Examples of professional leadership include Bowman serving as the chair of the Indiana State Psychology Board and member of the regional Red Cross resource council, chairing its emergency response committee. Another example is Charlene Alexander, associate professor of counseling psychology, who is the president elect of the Indiana School Counseling Association.

Awards of note include Gerstein, who received the Kitty Cole Human Rights Award from the American Counseling Association, and David Dixon, counseling psychology professor, honored with the Visiting Scientist Award sponsored by Third World Academy of Science, UNESCO.

The 11 top schools, in order, are: University of Missouri, University of Maryland, University of Akron, State University of New York (Albany), Iowa State University, Arizona State University, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), University of Illinois, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University and Ball State University.