The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recently updated its classification of universities, resulting in a change in classification for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has created a Doctoral/Professional Universities category, and UTC is one of 151 institutions reclassified into the new category that includes Gonzaga, Hofstra, Elon and Pepperdine universities.
The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education created the Carnegie Classification in 1970 and published its first edition in 1973. Since then, the classifications have been updated eight times, including earlier this year. The Doctoral Universities categories have been reclassified to include “Doctor’s degree – professional practice.”
Formerly referred to by Carnegie as “first professional degrees,” these include medical, law and pharmacy degrees, as well as doctorates in learning and leadership, computational science, physical therapy and nursing practice—all doctorates awarded by UTC.
“We are pleased to be among the select group of doctoral universities nationally that are classified in Carnegie’s Doctoral/Professional Universities category,” UTC Chancellor Steve Angle said. “This reflects our aspiration to raise UTC’s profile as a university offering programs that are as relevant as they are excellent.”
The new categories, according to Carnegie, recognize the transformation underway in higher education in response to changes in marketplace and student expectations.
“What’s also important to UTC about this change,” Interim Provost George Hynd said, “is that it’s significant and appropriate in recognizing the nature of this university as an increasingly important metropolitan and regional institution known for both strong undergraduate programs and strong and focused doctoral programs.
“We have seen a significant increase in the number of professional and doctoral degrees awarded at UTC, and we take great pride in that accomplishment while, at the same time, recognizing the ongoing quality of our many other programs.
“Moving forward, we want to continue to provide opportunities for faculty to pursue research that is meaningfully related to our designation as a doctoral/professional university in ways that increase the potential to garner more external and federal funds for research.”
In 2015, UTC achieved national designation by Carnegie as a Community Engagement University. The designation recognized strong partnerships between UTC and Chattanooga and UTC’s institutional focus on community engagement and experiential learning.
Faculty fill 495 of 1,216 full-time equivalent positions at UTC, which is comprised of five colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education, and Professional Studies; and the Honors College. UT offers 95 undergraduate, 53 master’s, five doctoral and four specialist degree programs; and 30 certificate programs.
Faculty research is conducted in science and engineering, health and wellness, social sciences, education and the arts. UTC engages undergraduate and graduate students in most research, giving students practical, real-world experiences that benefit their professional careers.