Morehead State University increased its number of graduates by 15 percent (125 students) in the 2008-09 academic year, according to statistics released June 1 by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
MSU conferred 803 associate, bachelor's and master’s/specialist degrees, up from 665 in 2007-08.
“We are working hard to increase our graduation rate each year,” said MSU President Wayne D. Andrews. “Our faculty and staff are committed to student success and it shows in our growing number of graduates."
Kentucky’s public and independent postsecondary institutions reached an historic milestone by conferring 30,178 degrees, diplomas and certificates during spring commencement exercises last month. This is a 7 percent increase over last year and a 40 percent increase over five years.
According to the preliminary system report issued by the CPE, one-year increases were seen at most degree and credential levels. A final report will be available this fall.
The preliminary information shows that doctoral degrees climbed 20 percent from this time one year ago. Master’s/specialists were also up 20 percent, baccalaureate degrees-6 percent, associate degrees-15 percent, and diplomas (issued for specific programs requiring 30 hours or more) were up 14 percent. Slight decreases were reported in certificates, down 1 percent, and first-professional degrees decreased 3 percent from one year ago.
“These increases are largely a reflection of our campuses’ collective focus to meet the transformative goals of Kentucky’s educational reforms,” said Robert King, president of the Council. “I applaud the leadership, faculty and staff of our campuses, as well as the students themselves who made it a personal priority to complete their educational goal.”
King said that this progress is especially significant in the current economic climate. “The best way to grow a robust and prosperous economy and improve the quality of life for Kentuckians is through higher education,” he said. “We must remain committed to an improved Kentucky even in a challenging economy.”
Among the report’s key findings:
•For the public institutions, Eastern Kentucky University saw the largest growth in bachelor’s degrees this spring, posting an increase of 15.5 percent over last year. Morehead State University followed with a 15 percent increase and Northern Kentucky University with 14 percent.
•While bachelor’s degrees statewide increased 6 percent, larger increases were reported at other levels. Independent institutions, Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Murray State University and University of Kentucky all saw substantial one-year increases in the number of master’s and specialist degrees, which grew 20 percent overall.
•The Kentucky Community and Technical College System increased associate degrees by 18 percent over 2008.
•When comparing 2009 to 2008, several institutions saw one-year dips in degrees at one or more levels. Most of these changes are due to year-to-year fluctuations in the number of graduates and are to be expected even when the overall trend is moving upward. Other drops are due to changes in program mix at the institutional level.
Looking at the data over a five-year period illustrates the upward trend in degree completions at all levels:
•Baccalaureate degrees increased 24 percent in five years, associate degrees 32 percent and doctoral degrees 64 percent.
•EKU saw the largest growth among four‐year institutions, increasing 48 percent in five years, with a 60 percent growth in baccalaureate degrees.
•KCTCS continues to pursue both academic and workforce missions with tremendous growth in certificates, 125 percent as well as a 43 percent increase in associate degrees awarded. Overall, KCTCS’s spring degrees grew by 72 percent in the five-year period.
•UK and U of L are showing significant progress toward their HB 1 goals of becoming premier research institutions. UK’s spring doctoral degrees increased 70 percent, and U of L’s increased 21 percent. The undergraduate focus of U of L is also changing, with more baccalaureate degrees and fewer sub-baccalaureate degrees and credentials.
•The independent colleges in the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities also reported strong performance, with a 23 percent increase in baccalaureate degrees. Graduates from master’s and doctoral programs have increased substantially as well, especially at Spalding University, University of the Cumberlands and Union College.