The doctoral program in rhetoric in the University of Georgia’s department of speech communication has been named America’s best. The number-one ranking was announced in fall 2004 during the annual meeting of the National Communication Association in Chicago.

In addition, the department’s doctoral program in health communication was ranked fifth nationally, and its doctoral interpersonal communication program was ranked 15th.

“This is a major coup for us and will help our recruiting immensely,” said Jerold Hale, head of the speech communication department. “While three areas of emphasis were singled out, our success is due to a concerted effort by the entire faculty to raise the bar and enhance our graduate programs.” The rankings are part of a survey done by the NCA, which is a nonprofit organization of approximately 7,100 educators, practitioners, and students who work and reside in every state and more than 20 foreign countries.