The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teachings latest classification of American higher education institutions, released last week, lists West Virginia University as a Doctoral/Research UniversityExtensive based on the complexity and breadth of its mission.

Only 3.8 percent of the 3,856 U.S. institutions classified are in the Doctoral/ResearchExtensive classification, and WVU is the only higher education institution in the state so designated.

Previously classified as a Research I institution, WVU moved into the new Doctoral/ ResearchExtensive category based on the conferring of 50 or more doctorates a year in at least 15 disciplines. Besides a commitment to graduate education, Doctoral Extensive institutions must also offer a wide range of baccalaureate programs.

“After several years of study, the Carnegie Foundation has reclassified institutions based on their distinctive missions,”said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.”I am pleased that WVUs newest classification recognizes the complexity and breadth of our mission. This recognition will be helpful to WVU as we continue to serve the state and nation with our research efforts.”

In the new classification, the Carnegie Foundation collapsed four previous categories for doctoral institutions (Research Iⅈ Doctoral I&II) into two categories Extensive and Intensive. Intensive institutions must award at least 10 doctoral degrees per year across three or more disciplines, or at least 20 doctoral degrees per year.

Other categories include Masters Iⅈ Baccalaureate Colleges (Liberal Arts); Baccalaureate Colleges (General); Baccalaureate/Associates Colleges; Associates Colleges; Specialized Institutions; and Tribal Colleges.

Commenting on the new classification, WVU Provost Gerald Lang said,”This newest classification recognizes the past activities, hard work and commitment of our faculty to focus on research as well as graduate and undergraduate education. These efforts are a major part of our mission as a land-grant university. And WVUs national reputation in fostering an active research agenda is recognition of the important role that WVU brings to higher education in West Virginia.”

In the new Carnegie system, WVUs three regional campuses were also reclassified:

  • WVU Institute of Technology to BA Gen (Baccalaureate colleges-general)
  • WVU at Parkersburg to a BA AA (Baccalaureate/associates colleges)
  • Potomac State College of WVU to AA (Associates colleges)

Other colleges and universities in West Virginia were also reclassified:

  • Alderson Broaddus, BA II
  • Appalachian Bible College, Faith
  • Bethany College, BA LA
  • Bluefield State, BA Gen
  • College of West Virginia, BA AA
  • Concord College, BA Gen
  • Corinthian Schools Inc., AA
  • Davis&Elkins, BA Gen
  • Fairmont State, BA Gen
  • Glenville State, BA Gen
  • Huntington Junior College of Business, AA
  • Marshall University, MA I
  • Mountain State College, AA
  • Ohio Valley College, BA Gen
  • Salem Teikyo, MA II
  • Shepherd, BA Gen
  • Southern WV Community and Technical College, AA
  • University of Charleston, BA Gen
  • Valley College of Technology, AA
  • Webster College, AA
  • West Liberty State College, BA Gen
  • WV Business Colleges, AA
  • WV Junior Colleges, AA
  • WV Northern Community College, AA
  • WV School of Osteopathic Medicine, Med
  • WV State College, BA Gen
  • West Virginia Wesleyan, BA LA
  • Wheeling Jesuit University, MA I .

The Carnegie Classification 2000 is an interim step toward an overhaul of the entire system in 2005, which will further define institutions. For more information, go to the Carnegie Foundations web site:www.carnegiefoundation.org.