“The University offers programs of excellence that are designed to prepare our graduate students for leading positions in research, teaching and public service,” said Carolyn Thoroughgood, vice provost for research and graduate studies. “The depth and quality of these programs attract students from across the United States and overseas.”
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies UD as a research university with very high research activity, a designation accorded to fewer than 3 percent of the more than 4,300 degree-granting institutions in the United States.
UD offers 43 doctoral and 110 master's degree programs. In 2006, UD produced 232 doctoral graduates and awarded 690 master's degrees.
UD's newest graduate students, generally expected to complete their degrees within two years for the master's degree, and within four to five years for the doctorate, not only will increase their knowledge and expertise in their chosen field, but they also will make important contributions to the University's research and scholarship missions while they are here, according to Thoroughgood.
“As these students conduct original research in pursuit of their degrees, they will play a critical role in the process of discovery and invention, which enhances the energy and innovation of the entire institution,” Thoroughgood said. “The University is committed to providing our graduate students with a first-class education,” she noted. “They are a vital part of our UD family, and exciting opportunities lie ahead.”
Of the 1,177 new graduate students, 772 are master's students, 86 are students in special master's-level outreach programs and 319 are doctoral students. Eight hundred fifty-eight of the students are U.S. citizens, and the international students represent 54 different countries.
“We have a very diverse graduate student population at UD,” Martin said. “A slight majority are women, and nearly one-third are Delaware residents. More than 10 percent of our graduate students are from minority groups, and international students comprise nearly one-quarter of our graduate enrollment.”
Each of the University's seven colleges welcomed new graduate students this fall, with the following programs attracting the highest enrollments:
- Agriculture and Natural Resources--68 new graduate students, with the largest enrollment in plant and soil sciences;
- Arts and Sciences--321 new graduate students, with the largest enrollment in chemistry and biochemistry;
- Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics--277 new graduate students, with the largest enrollments in the MBA, Pathways to MBA and Executive MBA programs. Of special note, 18 students joined UD's new, on-site MBA program at AstraZeneca;
- College of Engineering--121 new graduate students, with chemical engineering reporting the largest number of enrollees;
- College of Health Sciences--108 new graduate students, with the largest number enrolling in nursing;
- College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy--254 new graduate students, with the largest enrollments in educational leadership and in urban affairs and public policy. Of special note, the first enrollment was received in the new certificate program in socially responsible and sustainable apparel design;
- College of Marine and Earth Studies--18 new graduate students, with the largest enrollment in marine studies; and
- Ten new students also joined three different interdisciplinary graduate programs, including biomechanics and movement science, operations research, and ocean engineering.
For more information on UD's graduate programs, visit [www.udel.edu/gradoffice].
Article by Tracey Bryant
