National University Leads the Nation In Granting Master’s Degrees In Computer Science To Latinos.

National University provided more master’s degrees in computer and information science to Hispanic students than any other college or university in United States during the 2001-2002 school year, according to the July 3, 2003 edition Black Issues in Higher Education.

In total, National University conferred 16 master’s degrees in computer and information science to Hispanics last year, representing a 433 percent increase over the previous year and 24 percent of all recipients receiving that degree from National University. Black Issues in Higher Education publishes annual rankings of the top 100 colleges and universities providing graduate degrees to minority students. Its rankings are based upon data from the U.S. Department of Education.

National University also ranked first in the nation in conferring master’s degrees in education to Hispanics, preparing 276 graduates in that category. That is an eight percent increase over the previous year and represents 13 percent of all recipients receiving that degree from National University.

This year’s rankings by Black Issues in Higher Education come at a time of increased dialog regarding minority access to higher education. The recent Supreme Court decision regarding affirmative action programs at the University of Michigan has focused upon the importance of diversity on university campuses and within specific degree programs.

“Ironically, National University has no affirmative action policies in place,” said National University Vice President Thomas MacCalla, Ed.D. “We have traditionally catered to working adult students. Consequently, our student body more closely reflects the diversity of the state population.”

Dr. MacCalla predicts that the National University enrollment model will gain further prominence as California’s minority population grows and enrollments at public colleges and universities become more restrictive.

“The Contra Costa Times reported yesterday the California Postsecondary Education Commission predicts more than 470,000 students will be turned away from public colleges and universities by 2010 because of space constraints,” he said. “Now consider the dramatic tuition increases being implemented because of the budget crisis. These factors are going to hit hardest on minority students.”