Northridge was second in the nation, only behind Cal State Long Beach, among more than 550 master's-level colleges and universities in graduating students who went on to earn doctoral degrees from 1995 to 2004.

"As the numbers show, CSUN is helping to solve two crises: the shortage of minorities in advanced fields and the general need for more talent in these areas," said Harry Hellenbrand, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Northridge. "But we are rolling up our sleeves to do more. America is becoming more diverse, and knowledge industries more important. We must bridge the opportunity gap for more students, so that they can span the knowledge gap that will separate successful nations from lagging ones."

CSUN was the baccalaureate-origin institution for 560 research doctoral degree recipients from 1995 through 2004, with a range of 50 to 70 CSUN alumni earning research doctoral degrees each year at various institutions across the country, according to the National Science Foundation data

Cal State Northridge ranked sixth in the nation among master's-level institutions in graduating students who went on to earn science and engineering doctorates, 139, during the period from 2000 to 2004. In the sciences alone, Northridge ranked fifth in preparing doctorate recipients, 128, in the various science fields combined.

CSUN ranked first in the nation among master's-level institutions in preparing psychology doctorate recipients, 55, from 2000 to 2004. It also ranked first in psychology in 1996 to 2000 and 1991 to 1995.

Northridge tied for fourth with Hunter College in New York in preparing students for doctorates in the social sciences and tied for tenth with Cal State Chico in preparing students for doctoral degrees in the biological sciences. Northridge also was tenth in the nation in preparing students for doctorates in engineering.

Master's-level institutions are those like CSUN that offer a full range of baccalaureate degree programs and also have master's degree offerings. Those include campuses within the California State University system, but exclude doctoral/research-level universities like those in the University of California system.