Graduate Degrees Continue Upward Trend - Statistical Data Included

Black Issues in Higher Education, July 19, 2001 by Phaedra Brotherton

The number of master's degrees received marks the largest growth area for African Americans.

Overall, 1999-2000 was a banner year for graduate education for minorities. The total graduate degrees awarded to minorities in all disciplines increased at every level -- master's, doctoral and first professional. For all minorities, total master's degrees in all disciplines increased from 62,495 in 1997-1998 to 74,923 in 1999-2000, for a 19.9 percent increase; total minority doctoral degrees increased from 5,073 to 5,813, for a 14.5 percent increase; and total minority first professional degrees increased from 16,553 to 17,560, for a 6.1 percent increase.

For African Americans, the largest growth area was in master's degrees. African American master's degrees increased from 28,504 to 33,402, for a 17.2 percent increase. Webster University in Missouri, with a total of 890 in 1999-2000, remained the top producer, increasing its numbers from 686 in 1997-1998, for a 29.7 percent increase.

A diverse culture as well as flexibility in scheduling and location make Webster University, which is based in St. Louis but has several locations, attractive to African Americans and other minorities, the majority of whom are working professionals, says Dr. Neil J. George, executive vice president and vice president for academic affairs.

"Our mission has been committed to diversity and our technique is to provide access to high-quality education for working professionals," notes George. "Our goal has been to provide the location and time that suits their needs."

The news was also good for historically Black colleges and universities, which experienced a 7.8 percent increase in African American master's degrees in 1999-2000, increasing from 4,364 to 4,708.

Other minority groups did well also, particularly Hispanics. The number of Hispanics earning master's degrees increased from 12,195 to 17,926, a 47 percent increase, after experiencing a decrease in master's degrees between 1996-1997 and 1997-1998. Institutions increased the number of American Indian master's degree graduates from 1,947 to 2,099, for a 7.8 percent increase. Asian Americans earning master's degrees increased from 19,849 to 21,496, an increase of 8.3 percent.