Successes: Notable Professors and Departments at Florida Universities

"The education department is well deserving of the title of Flagship of St. Leo University," says Carol Walker, dean of St. Leo's school of education and social services. [Photo: St. Leo College]

Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program

St. Leo University, Saint Leo

Why: The program, which graduates about 200 new teachers each year, was one of four finalists this year for the Distinguished Teacher Education Award from the Association of Teacher Educators. Before graduating, students spend up to 850 hours working in local K-12 classrooms.

Department of Aerospace Engineering

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach

Why: U.S. News & World Report has ranked the university's undergraduate program No. 1 among departments of its type for 11 straight years. Coursework includes aeronautics, propulsion and airplane and space vehicle design.

College of Public Health

University of South Florida, Tampa

Why: The college's graduate program ranked 20th in the nation last year, according to U.S. News & World Report. Last year, it was one of 14 public health schools nationwide — and the only one in Florida — to get funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to establish a Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center. Also, USF's College of Medicine won $236 million in total research awards during fiscal year 2009-10, accounting for more than 60% of the university's total awards.

» Next page: How Florida's colleges and universities fare in national rankings.

Tags: Education