ASU ranks at top for graduate degrees to minorities
Arizona State University has soared in the number of master’s and doctoral degrees awarded to minority students, according to figures just published in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The magazine’s annual rankings of “The Top 100 Graduate Degree Producers” were published in its July 8 issue and are based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
For the first time, ASU ranks first in the nation for doctoral degrees awarded to Native Americans, as well as ninth in master’s degrees awarded.
Among Hispanic students, ASU ranks fifth in doctorates awarded and 19th in master’s degrees. These rankings are substantial increases from 2009, when ASU ranked 12th in doctorates and 36th in number of master’s degrees.
ASU ranks 54 nationally for doctorates awarded to African Americans, an improvement over the previous year in which ASU did not place in the top 100. The total number of doctorates awarded to African Americans increased by 200 percent.
These rankings reflect total number of degrees awarded in all disciplines combined. Within specific programs of study, ASU rankings include:
• Doctorates awarded to Native Americans in education rank No. 1
• Doctorates awarded to Hispanics in education rank No. 3, in engineering No. 4 and in physical sciences No. 5
• Doctorates awarded to Asian Americans in education rank No. 14, in psychology No. 15 and in engineering No. 19.
• For Hispanics, master’s degrees awarded in mathematics and statistics rank No. 1, and business and management rank No. 25.
• For Native Americans, master’s degrees awarded for business and education both rank No. 12
• Law degrees awarded to Native Americans rank No. 8
Ethnic minority students who are underrepresented in graduate studies are aspiring to advanced degrees in greater numbers, said Maria T. Allison, vice-provost and dean of the Graduate College. Of the more than 13,000 graduate students attending ASU, nearly 19 percent are from underrepresented or minority ethnic groups. Five years ago, minority students represented only about 15 percent of total graduate student enrollment.
“We are very committed to creating an environment in which all students can thrive and reach their fullest potential,” Allison said. “ASU offers a wide range of social and academic support, which can be particularly important for ethnic minorities and first-generation students.”
Services and support for graduate students include SHADES, a peer-to-peer multicultural mentoring program; Social and Academic Mentoring (SAM); Diversity Across the Curriculum (DAC) seminar series; and the Gates Millennium Scholars Organization (GMSO).
Among the many ASU resources for minority undergraduate and graduate students is Multicultural Student Services, the Native American Achievement Program, the Hispanic Business Students Association, the One Nation Club at the Polytechnic campus, the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program, and American Indian Student Support Services.