You have countless options for graduate school, but if you are specifically interested in enrolling in a research-intensive graduate programs, then you should limit your options to the kind of institution that is going to prepare you to meet your research-focused career goals.
What kind of institutions are these? Carnegie R1 institutions.
Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of attending an R1 university like West Virginia University.
Research takes multiple forms. Both scholarly and creative in nature, research at the graduate level leads to a greater knowledge base, improves our ability to solve problems, and positions academics for impacting the world in positive, tangible ways.
Research collaboration — that is, research between disciplines — provides “opportunities for investigators to learn how approaches from complementary disciplines may be applied to existing problems, and lead to the development of innovative solutions” for all fields of study involved.
Research collaboration is powerful, and it leads to the generation of new ideas and novel solutions.
In addition to developing students as innovators in their field, there are a variety of benefits to research collaboration at an R1 institution. For instance, students pursuing a research-intensive graduate program where collaboration is prioritized can expect to:
Develop Critical Thinking Skills
Students have the opportunity to develop essential critical thinking skills, incorporating self-awareness and open-mindedness into their work. Critical thinking is a transferable skill, making it a sought-after and needed trait in professionals across industries.
Gain In-Depth Perspectives
Students learn to explore and discuss multiple perspectives, world views, and cultural norms. Having a well-rounded understanding of diverse topics, audiences, and issues prepares students to engage in productive research cross collaboration that will lead to innovating new solutions to current and ongoing challenges.
Strengthen Communication Skills
By working together in an interdisciplinary manner, students learn to communicate by practicing skills needed to effectively convey and receive information. By developing strong communication skills, students are able to more effectively transfer knowledge and information that is necessary to envisioning and implementing solutions across industries.
Prepare Students for Careers in Emerging Fields
Research-intensive programs help students to prepare for careers in technology, medicine, data science, marketing, public health, and other impactful fields. By prioritizing cross collaboration in graduate school, students will emerge from their programs ready to enter careers that further prioritize collaboration and interdisciplinary research.
Experience the benefits of attending a Carnegie R1 institution — connect with us!
At R1 institutions, research study spans the academic spectrum at these universities, engaging grad students with research opportunities from the creative arts and humanities to the social sciences and applied sciences.
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R1 institutions graduate more doctoral students than R2 institutions.
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R1 institutions receive significantly more funding than R2 institutions.
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R1 institutions produce more accomplished researchers than R2 institutions.
At West Virginia University, you have the valuable opportunity of joining one of the best research universities in the United States. As an internationally recognized R1 institution, you will learn with and from a community of driven, research-focused professionals who are making a positive impact across industries.
West Virginia University offers many excellent graduate programs designed to prepare you for a successful career. For a list of current programs, visit our graduate programs page.
If you like what you see, use the easy five-step application process and let us tell you more about the opportunities that await you at West Virginia University.
Learn more about obtaining a graduate degree at
one of the best research universities in the U.S. —
download the Research Collaboration Guide!
