New academic classification places William Woods in the same category with some of the nation’s finest universities

WWU one of 152 doctoral/professional universities in new Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education

Fulton, MO – William Woods University (WWU) has an impressive new list of peer institutions, according to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

The nation’s premiere organization for classifying colleges and universities in the U.S., Carnegies’ most recent classification created a new category of doctoral universities that offer professional practice doctorates with less than $5 million in research spending. William Woods is included in this new Carnegie category that consists of 152 U.S. colleges and universities, along with some of the nation’s most highly-regarded universities such as Elon, Creighton, Pepperdine, Drake, Gonzaga, Valparaiso and Santa Clara.

“William Woods is delighted to be recognized by the Carnegie Classification for inclusion in their new Doctoral/Professional Universities group, which is a considerable honor for our institution,” said Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, President of William Woods University. “The other universities in this category are national in scope and positioned to lead, and we could not be prouder to be considered by Carnegie as their peers.”

WWU is one of only four universities in the state of Missouri in the prestigious new classification, joining Missouri State, Lindenwood and Maryville universities. Distinct from doctoral universities with high research activity, the institutions in this category focus on excellence in undergraduate majors and professional graduate programs.

“We were ahead of the curve in the 1990’s when we established graduate and online degrees here at William Woods, long before other smaller, private institutions similar to us were doing so,” added President Barnett. “Such innovation and cutting edge thinking is why The Woods, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of our university’s founding next year, continues to flourish as an institution.”

Since Dr. Barnett’s appointment as president in 1990, William Woods has seen tremendous growth as an institution. Total enrollment has increased from 750 to over 2,000 students; the university’s endowment has increased by nearly 250 percent; graduate-level, online, study abroad and new degree programs have been added; the university eliminated its long-term debt and has maintained an operating budget in the black for 15 straight years; and infrastructure and capitol improvements on the main campus in Fulton have included the construction of ten new major buildings.

“Inclusion in the new Carnegie category serves as another prime example of our strength and vitality as a university,” said President Barnett. “While many other universities similar to us are facing very real debt and enrollment problems, we continue to buck the trend here at The Woods by adding new academic degree programs, such as Show-Me GOLD, Nursing and Cybersecurity, all in just the past year and a half. We will always be committed to offering degree programs to students that make them in-demand by a wide range of employers.”

For the complete list of Carnegie’s Doctoral/Professional Universities, please visit http://www.phairadvantage.com/news-center/colleges-and-universities-now-classified-as-doctoral-professional-universities/