WILLIAMSBURG, Va., April 7 -- William and Mary issued the following news release:

William & Mary's graduate programs are among the best in the nation, according to new rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

Released today, the rankings highlight the university's excellence in areas ranging from business to the sciences. Among the university's top-ranked graduate programs are:

* Counselor education: 13th

* Constitutional law: 17th

* Criminal law: 20th

William & Mary offers more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs, and graduate students engage in a wide variety of research activities.

In recognition of its high research activity as a doctoral university, the Carnegie Classification system designated William & Mary as an R...