Historically Black Dillard University was founded in 1935 through the consolidation of New Orleans University and Straight College. It was named for James Hardy Dillard, an educational reformer who promoted racial harmony.
Despite being named a university, Dillard was strictly an undergraduate institution. Now for the first time, Dillard University has been authorized to offer graduate degrees. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges has announced that Dillard University has been approved to offer graduate education beginning in the fall of 2023.
Dillard University has plans to commence its graduate program with a master’s degree in nursing. “With the continuous support of the university administration and our collective efforts in continuous development of ourselves and our programs, the right faculty credential mix, and focusing on the needs of our stakeholders, we achieved our goal,” said Sharon Hutchinson dean of the College of Nursing. “For us, the offering of a graduate degree in nursing is a manifestation of Dillard University’s motto, through faith and strength. We persevered, and received God’s blessing to begin graduate education and the continuation of the legacy of the Dillard nurse, at the next level.”
Mablene Krueger, interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and enrollment management, said that additional master’s programs are under consideration. “We will evaluate the effectiveness of our first degree. Our faculty are developing several additional proposals for master’s degrees. They will undergo thorough evaluation by faculty, the university’s review/approval process, including our board of trustees, and then determinations will be made,” she said.
Congratulations and best wishes for much success and progress as you seek to improve and enhance the professional service of nursing.