(The Center Square) – Duke University is among the 31 higher education institutions, and the only one from North Carolina, agreeing to cease partnership with The Ph.D. Project.
The program is for doctoral students, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights says it “unlawfully limits eligibility based on the race of participants.” Discrimination based on race violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Institutions of higher education are agreeing to cut ties with discriminatory organizations, recommitting themselves to abiding by federal law, and restoring equality of opportunity on campuses across the nation,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “We are hopeful that other institutions with similarly discriminatory practices will follow suit, paving the way for a future where we reject judging individuals by the color of their skin and once again embrace the principles of merit, excellence and opportunity.”
The Ph.D. Project, founded in 1994, bills itself as having “the goal of creating more role models in the front of business classrooms.” In addition to university partners, it has corporate partners and what it bills as strategic alliances.
Duke enrolled 6,523 undergrads in fall of 2024, according to its website, and 10,976 graduate and professional students. About 50% of students receive aid on the undergraduate tuition of more than $66,000; estimated cost for tuition, fees, housing and meals in 2024-25 was $88,938.
Leading states for supplying undergrads are North Carolina, New York and Florida; leading countries are China, India and South Korea.
