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Celebrating our graduate and professional students

Excellence in graduate education

Tar Heels who come to Chapel Hill to study as graduate and professional students better the state, nation and world with their research, teaching, service and civic engagement. These students go on to become leaders, researchers and public servants in countless fields.

As we prepare to celebrate Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week April 7-11, learn about their vital contributions to our University.

  • 11,553graduate and professional students (35.6% of student body; fall 2024).
  • 160graduate degrees offered across 80-plus programs.
  • 24graduate programs ranked in the top 10 of U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Graduate Schools” list.
  • 105National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows in 2023-24.

Serving our state

Graduate student research

Sticking around

For some Tar Heels, one degree just isn’t enough. Many alumni decide to stay at Carolina upon graduating or return later to pursue additional education.

Read the stories below to learn about former undergraduates who knew UNC-Chapel Hill remained their top choice for graduate school.

Working professionals

Meet 3 employees using the Tuition Waiver Program

For Elyse Molewyk, Jen Drake and Greg Sabin, UNC-Chapel Hill isn’t just a place to work — it’s also where they study. The University’s Tuition Waiver Program, which allows employees to take three free courses per academic year (some exceptions apply), helps Tar Heels continue their education on their own timeline.

Learn how and why three University employees are using the tuition waiver.

Photo of the exterior of UNC-Chapel Hill's Bynum Hall on a fall day with yellow, orange and green leaves seen hanging from trees in the foreground. Off to the fair right side is a graphic design with circular portraits of three UNC-Chapel Hill employees: Elyse Molewyk, Jen Drake and Greg Sabin.

Military grad student up for promotion

Through the Army’s Green to Gold program at Carolina, LeBon Hobayan can earn a graduate degree and become a commissioned officer. He’s hoping his master’s degree in public administration from Carolina will lay the groundwork to bring his 12-year military career to a fulfilling end.

Learn about Hoboyan’s journey to UNC-Chapel Hill and his experience as a Tar Heel.

LeBon Hobayan fixing a drone in a field.

Wolfpack alum becomes a Tar Heel

Joshua Baird enjoys serving the public, using his skills from the Master of Public Administration program at the UNC School of Government in his role as water resources director for the town of Clayton. His role involves overseeing the planning, organization and direction of water and sewer utility operations, ensuring efficient service delivery, regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship.

Learn why the two-time NC State alumnus came to Carolina for a “top-notch” program.

Joshua Baird poses for a photo wearing an embroidered shirt which reads 'North Carolina Clayton 1869.

Global reach

Carolina’s global guarantee ensures every student has access to a global education, a promise that extends to our graduate students. Tar Heels in graduate programs are bringing their expertise, leadership and service to all corners of the planet.

Learn about the meaningful experiences graduate students are gaining and the work they’re performing to better the world.

  • Students working in a lab

    Doctoral students Isabel Silva (left) and Savannah Ryburn (right) are part of a lab led by professor John F. Bruno at the Galapagos Science Center. Their work focuses on understanding the critical role of ocean temperature in shaping the diets of various reef fish species

    Read about how their work extends from the Galapagos to North Carolina.
  • Two women locking arms and having a conversation with each other.

    Graduate students Debby Maremera (right) and Jacinta Bailey serve as Rotary Pace Fellows, pursuing master's level education in fields related to peace-building and conflict resolution. Out of hundreds of applications received each year, only 10 fellowships are offered annually through the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center, the only Rotary Peace Center in North and South America.

    Learn how they’re finding out ways to contribute to conflict resolution.
  • Dentistry students posing in front of building with sign reading

    For some UNC Adams School of Dentistry students, pursuing a global experience helped change their perspective and their future plans as they learned to work with limited resources and how to be culturally sensitive providers. They learned how observing dental care providers in foreign countries can help them become well-rounded practitioners.

    Learn how they can apply lessons learned overseas to their own careers.

Accolades

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