Hampton University Receives Highest Classification From Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
HAMPTON, VA – Hampton University has received the highest classification from the newest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education catalogue as “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity.”
“Hampton University continues to reach new heights in academic standards world-wide. We continue to uphold THE Standard of Excellence, which our founder Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong set forth so many years ago. We have the absolute best faculty,” says Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey.
The Carnegie Classification has been the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education since 1970. The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education developed a classification of colleges and universities to support its program of research and policy analysis. The Carnegie Classification is now housed in the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University. Derived from empirical data on colleges and universities, the Carnegie Classification was originally published in 1973, and subsequently updated in 1976, 1987, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2018 to reflect changes among colleges and universities.
“Carnegie Classification is intended to be a horizontal distinction, not a vertical one. We see doctoral and master as different categories, based on the programs. Institutions that offer doctoral degrees are qualitatively different than ones that only have masters, associates, etc.,” says Victor Borden, project director for the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education.
In order to receive the “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” classification, institutions must award at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees during the update year, which for this latest update, the Carnegie Classification looked at year 2016/17 for the 2018 update that recently came out. Institutions that have below 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees that awarded at least 30 professional practice doctoral degrees in at least two programs are also eligible for this classification. Institutions receiving this classification must also have at least $5 million in total research expenditures (as reported through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research & Development Survey (HERD)).
“This recognition continues to set Hampton apart as a role model for other institutions, particularly HBCUs, because of where we began. We started in 1868 as a school that was designed to offer education for those who were denied it and we’ve gone through various classifications. As an institution itself, we have evolved. We’ve gone from bachelor’s program offering to master’s program offering and around 2012 we set out to become a research, doctoral high intensive trained institution. We’re there now. It’s a goal that we’ve reached that is not attainable, nor the vision of many institutions our size and with our humble beginnings. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Harvey, it has been the trajectory for the institution and now to learn that we have acquired that status, we are head and shoulders above the rest,” says Dr. JoAnn Haysbert, Hampton University chancellor and provost.