College of Fine Arts

For the second time in a month, a major higher education ranking recognizes the University of Arizona as one of the world’s elite institutions for arts and humanities studies and research reputation.

On Oct. 23, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University No. 85 out of 1,500 higher education institutions across 81 countries in the 2020 Best Global Universities report of the world’s elite research institutions.

The University’s arts and humanities programs were rated at No. 30 in the area of global and regional research reputation and academic research performance, using indicators such as publications, citations and international collaboration.

On Oct. 2, the Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings placedthe University’s arts and humanities programs No. 11 among all U.S. public institutions and No. 80 out of 536 college and universities worldwide.

“It is gratifying to see the quality of our academic programs recognized in these important international rankings,” said Andrew Schulz, Dean of the College of Fine Arts. “As we work to integrate the arts throughout the university, and make the University of Arizona an arts destination, student success remains our primary objective. A key element in that regard is ensuring that we continue to provide our students with world-class training in arts and humanities disciplines. That work is made possible by the tireless efforts of our outstanding faculty.”

Times Higher Education’s arts and humanities subject ranking highlights the higher education institutions that lead the way in art, performing arts, design, languages, linguistics, literature, history, philosophy, theology, architecture and archaeology. The subject areas are part of the College of Fine Arts, the College of Humanities and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Arizona.

The performance indicators are grouped into five areas:

  • Teaching (the learning environment): 30%
  • Research (volume, income and reputation): 30%
  • Citations (research influence): 30%
  • International outlook (staff, students and research) 7.5%
  • Industry income (knowledge transfer): 2.5%

The university’s best scores came in citations, research and teaching.

In January, Schulz was named the inaugural vice president for the arts to carry out the reimagined vision of the University of Arizona as an arts destination. In this role, Schulz has worked to further integrate the arts throughout the University experience, while also designing and implementing strategies to raise the profile of the arts within the campus community as well as regionally, nationally and internationally.

The university has also created a new division, Arizona Arts, which includes the four schools within the College of Fine Arts and five arts presenting and engagement units. This unique combination of the academic and presenting units provides cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration opportunities for our students and faculty.

This summer Schulz created the position of Associate Dean for Research; Ellen McMahon was appointed to the role.