Press Release for Wednesday, January 16, 2019
UNF Gains National Recognition for Doctoral Programs
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Media Contact:
Amanda Dawson, PR Specialist
Department of
Public Relations
(904) 620-2192
A
newly released report by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher
Education for the first time categorizes the University of North Florida in the
top tier of national universities — those that grant doctoral degrees. Until
this year, UNF has historically been categorized as a “Master’s University,”
but the growth of professional doctorate programs at UNF, combined with a
change to the Carnegie Classification methodology to explicitly recognize these
degrees, led to UNF joining 163 other elite institutions in a new “Doctoral/Professional
University” category.
“This
is a huge step forward for UNF as an institution of national distinction,” said
Dr. David M. Szymanski, president of UNF. “The prestige associated with a
higher-level Carnegie status helps attract faculty and students who seek
excellence. This classification also elevates the value of a UNF degree in
the eyes of prospective employers.”
The
Carnegie Classification, which is updated every three years, is intended as a
framework for describing the diversity of the 4,425 colleges and universities
in the U.S., and placement in higher tiers is seen as prestigious. A recent
article in The
Chronicle of Higher Education notes that universities categorized
higher in the Carnegie Classification enjoy advantages in securing external
research grants, recruiting high-quality faculty and attracting the interest of
industry partners. Other ranking systems, such as the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges,
also rely on the Carnegie Classification for their methodologies.
In
the 2017-18 school year, UNF awarded a total of 117 doctoral degrees including
109 professional doctorates and eight research doctorates.
Doctoral programs offered through the Brooks College of Health at
UNF include Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition, BSN-DNP in Family Nurse
Practitioner, BSN-DNP in Nurse Anesthetist, Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing
Practice, Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psych-Mental Health and Doctor
of Physical Therapy. The College of Education and Human Services offers
doctoral degrees in Specialist in Educational Leadership and Doctorate of
Education in Educational Leadership.
The
Graduate School at UNF aims to cultivate a learning
environment that supports intellectual curiosity, academic achievement and
personal growth; recruit and support a diverse community of students, faculty
and staff who will contribute to and benefit from the University's mission;
support and recognize research and creative endeavor as essential University
functions as well as affirm the University's public responsibility through
civic engagement, community-based learning and research.
UNF,
a nationally ranked
university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who
are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their
own futures through a well-rounded education.
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