Between 2003 and 2004 Florida A&M stepped up its doctoral degree production exponentially. FAMU went from awarding four doctorate degees in 2003 to 23 doctorate degrees in 2004.
FAMU's increase mirrored a national trend by HBCUs which recorded a 19 percent increase doctoral degree awards between 2003 and 2004. In 2004 HBCUs awarded a total of 350 doctoral degrees.
In case you were wondering, in 2004, Howard U. led all HBCUs in awarding doctoral degrees granting 88 such degrees (a 10 precent increase). Tennessee State awarded 45 doctoral degrees to hold down the No. 2 spot, up 25 percent from 2003. FAMU tied for the No. 3 spot, but experienced one of the largest jumps in total numbers.