The Graduate School is dedicated to and benefits from a student population comprising all backgrounds, cultures, socioeconomic circumstances statuses, abilities, and work and life experiences. Our commitment to inclusive excellence contributes to a fuller representation of perspectives within the academic life of the university. As part of a larger institutional commitment to inclusion, one of Duke’s core values, we encourage applications from all sectors of society, including prospective students whose life experiences may include the challenge of access due to a disability.

As part of our long-standing commitment to cultivating a community of graduate students who represent all life experiences and backgrounds, The Graduate School works to:

  • Engage with prospective students from a range of backgrounds and experiences
  • Review prospective applicants fairly and holistically, using an evidence-based evaluation rubric
  • Provide students with sufficient funding to complete their graduate studies in a timely manner
  • Promote an academic and social environment where these scholars can flourish

The Graduate School also demonstrates its commitment to inclusive excellence by offering optional staff training, workshops, and exercises in partnership with Duke’s Office of Institutional Equity and other campus resources.

I Knew I Belonged at Duke When ...


Learn More About Inclusive Excellence in TGS

TGS Efforts Toward Inclusive Excellence

Learn how The Graduate School uses recruitment and retention strategies, including financial support and education opportunities, to promote inclusive values.

A Model Approach to Inclusive Excellence

Through identifying and recruiting top to Duke and providing connecting graduate students with resources that ensure their success, The Graduate School's model of inclusive excellence touches all stages of the graduate student experience.

Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education

The Graduate School created the Dean’s Award for Inclusive Excellence in Graduate Education to acknowledge extraordinary achievements by departments and programs that help create an environment of inclusive excellence in graduate education.
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Duke UCEM

The Graduate School leads a collaboration across 10 programs to recruit and support Ph.D. students of all backgrounds in the physical sciences and engineering.

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Undergrad Summer Research

The Graduate School administers the Duke Summer Research Opportunity Program for undergraduates interested in graduate studies in biomedical sciences.

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Black History at TGS

Meet The Graduate School's first Black Ph.D. students, and those who followed.

Meet the Pioneers

Inclusive Excellence at Duke

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Advancing Racial Equity at Duke

Commitments and Actions
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