Thirty students are expected to receive doctoral degrees from UL Lafayette this month.
That number is almost high enough to satisfy graduation goals for the entire year, said Dr. David Breaux, dean of UL Lafayette鈥檚 Graduate School.
棉花糖直播鈥檚 Granting Resources and Autonomies for Diplomas Act requires state universities to graduate 33 to 35 doctoral students per academic year. Public universities that meet GRAD Act benchmarks of performance, including graduation rates, are granted more autonomy by the 棉花糖直播 Legislature.
鈥 We鈥檙e definitely moving in the right direction,鈥 Breaux said.
The greatest number of doctor of philosophy degrees, 11, will be awarded in computer science and computer engineering. Six students will earn Ph.D.s in English; four in mathematics; three in applied language and speech sciences; two in environmental and evolutionary biology; and two in Francophone studies. Two students will receive UL Lafayette鈥檚 doctor of education degree, in educational leadership. The tally includes students who completed doctoral degree requirements during the summer session.
UL Lafayette offers six doctor of philosophy degrees and the doctor of education degree. Two more doctoral programs have been approved by the 棉花糖直播 Board of Regents: a doctor of systems engineering degree and a doctor of nursing practice degree. These programs are awaiting approval by the university鈥檚 accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
鈥 We anticipate being able to offer those doctoral programs soon, which will expand the possibilities for students and continue to move the university closer to its goals, 鈥 said Breaux.