Texas A&M University-Kingsville has again been recognized as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity in the Carnegie Classification System. The University first received the designation in 2019.
A measure of research strength and productivity, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has been the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education for nearly 50 years.
“The re-affirmation of the High Research Activity designation is a clear indicator of the University’s commitment to continuing, supporting, and expanding its doctoral degree programs,” said Dr. Robert Diersing, Interim Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies.
The designation issued by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education recognizes universities that award at least 20 research or scholarship doctoral degrees or institutions that award less than 20 research or scholarship doctoral degrees, but award at least 30 professional practice doctoral degrees in at least 2 programs. In addition, schools receiving a “High Research Activity” designation must have at least $5 million in total research expenditures, as reported by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey.
Texas A&M-Kingsville awarded 29 doctoral degrees during the 2019-2020 academic year and reported research expenditures of over $22.2 million in the 2019 fiscal year and over $22.7 million for fiscal year 2020.
The renewed honor comes as the University’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies reported over $17.9 million in annualized grant awards from a combination of federal sponsors, state agencies, and private foundations for the 2021 fiscal year.
“Achieving and maintaining the High Research Activity designation is a testament to the ongoing and combined effort of University faculty, staff and administration across many disciplines, and most importantly, of the time and effort invested by the graduate students who choose Texas A&M-Kingsville to pursue their doctoral degrees,” said Diersing.
Texas A&M-Kingsville is one of ten universities in Texas to receive the “High Research Activity” designation; a classification also given to 3 other A&M System schools.