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TUCSON - The University of Arizona ranked 2nd highest in the nation for producing the most graduate degrees for Native Americans in the fields of engineering and ethnic, cultural and gender studies.

The educational news magazine "Diverse Issues in Higher Education" generates rankings according to the total number of degrees awarded to minority students across all disciplines as well as in specific disciplines.

The UA ranked in the top 10 nationally for producing undergraduates in its biological and biomedical sciences, education and psychology degree programs.

Specifically, biological and biomedical sciences ranked 9th and education ranked 10th for producing Hispanic graduates and psychology ranked 10th for producing Native American graduates.

"We have seen the growing diversity on campus enrich entire fields of study and influence how we teach and learn," said Ronald W. Marx, dean of the College of Education. "We owe it to our community, and to education in general, to embrace this rich diversity and the numerous advantages that come with it."

In the category of graduate and professional degrees, the UA twice ranked 2nd highest in the country for producing Native American graduates in the fields of engineering and ethnic, cultural and gender studies.

The UA ranked in the top 10 in graduate and professional degrees in other areas as well. For producing Hispanic graduates, agriculture ranked 4th, ethnic, cultural and gender studies ranked 6th, physical sciences ranked 8th, and biological and biomedical sciences ranked 9th.

In the category of total number of professional or graduate degrees awarded to minority students across disciplines, the UA ranked 7th in agriculture, 9th in ethnic, cultural and gender studies, and 18th in the physical sciences.

In the category of total number of undergraduate degrees awarded to minority students across disciplines, the UA ranked 15th in the nation for graduating Native American students and 22nd in the nation for graduating Hispanic students.

"Success in the future depends on educating men and women who can take leadership roles in an increasingly global and diverse workplace. It's crucial to keep this focus and never become complacent about the progress we've made," Marx added.

The magazine lists totals for the previous year, 2007-08, as well as the current year, 2008-09, compiling its information from an analysis of U.S. Department of Education reports submitted by institutions.