An increasingly diverse student body and a commitment to student success have made the University of Georgia the nation’s top public flagship university for the number of doctoral degrees it awards to African-Americans.
Over the five-year period covered in the latest National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates, UGA awarded 143 doctoral degrees to African-Americans, topping the University of Michigan as well as Georgia State University, Auburn, Texas A&M, the University of South Carolina and the University of Florida.
“I am pleased that our efforts to cultivate a vibrant and diverse learning environment have led to this significant achievement,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “I am proud that the University of Georgia is leading the way for flagship institutions in this important measure of student learning and success.”
The advanced skills and knowledge that graduate education provides play a critical role in keeping Georgia and the nation competitive in the modern economy. Over the past several years, UGA has launched new fellowship programs at the master’s and doctoral levels to attract talented students to Georgia while also expanding professional development opportunities. Last fall the university launched an ambitious program known as Double Dawgs that enables students to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less.
“In recent years we have seen increases in both the quantity and quality of students in our graduate programs,” said Graduate School Dean Suzanne Barbour. “This growth contributes to a ‘feed forward’ mechanism wherein strong graduate students enhance the reputation of UGA and position us to recruit even stronger graduate students in the future.”
Overall, UGA is ranked 32nd among all U.S. universities in the number of doctoral degrees it awards, up from 36th last year. UGA is second only to Columbia University Teachers College in the number of doctoral degrees in education it awards. It ranks 13th among all universities for doctoral degrees awarded in the life sciences and 20th in psychology and social sciences.
“The scholars and scientists that our graduate programs produce make significant contributions to academia, industry, government and nonprofits,” said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Pamela Whitten. “The University of Georgia is committed to being an engine of opportunity—for individuals as well as for our state and nation.”
