Founded in 1852, Tufts University is recognized among the premier universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. Recognized for its breadth of research, Tufts has extensive and highly regarded liberal arts, sciences and engineering programs that draw outstanding students from around the world with the highest academic achievement and standing.

More than 98 percent of enrolling students expect to pursue graduate or professional study. Approximately 40 percent of all undergraduates attending Tufts pursue course work outside the United States to add a strong international dimension to their field of study, and the university's language studies are both popular and rigorous. Tufts balances teaching with research, and students are encouraged to develop strong analytical skills. A growing number of innovative research initiatives and joint degree programs are available for both undergraduate and graduate students in liberal arts, sciences and engineering and the University's seven graduate and professional schools, including:

• The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (the only one in New England) with signature programs in international veterinary medicine; equine sports medicine; wildlife medicine; veterinary medicine ethics and values; and biotechnology;
• The distinguished Fletcher School, America's oldest graduate school for international relations;
• The globally renowned Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy with a USDA Human Nutrition Research Center focused on the impact of nutrition on healthy aging;
• An internationally affiliated School of Dental Medicine that trains dentists as expert clinicians with strong biomedical backgrounds;
• The School of Medicine and Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences that have clinical affiliations with thousands of doctors and researchers in the U.S. and around the world, as well as with their affiliated hospitals in Massachusetts (including New England Medical Center, the Lahey Clinic and Bay State Hospital). According to Science Watch, Tufts University Medical School rates sixth among U.S medical schools for the impact of its published medical research.

Tufts employs 3,500 people, with 8,500 students from across the U.S. and more than 100 countries attending classes on the university's three campuses in Massachusetts (Boston, Medford/Somerville and Grafton) and in Talloires, France. In addition, the university is affiliated with the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and with the New England Conservatory of Music.

Tufts University's mission embraces teaching, research and public service in the United States and around the world. Every year Tufts graduates physicians, diplomats, dentists, veterinarians, entrepreneurs, teachers, engineers, researchers, scientists and liberal arts professionals who will be leaders in their chosen fields and who believe it is their responsibility to contribute to the advancement of humanity and improvement of today's global community and environment.

Vision Statement

Tufts' vision statement summarizes the philosophy that drives all of Tufts' schools and colleges: As we shape our future, quality will be the pole star that guides us. We will seek quality in our teaching and research and in the services that support our academic enterprise. Our programs will be those that meet our own high standards, that augment each other, and that are worthy of the respect of our students and of scholars, educators, and the larger community. For students, our search for quality will mean opportunities both in and beyond the classroom to become well-educated, well-rounded individuals, professionals, and scholars. For faculty and staff, it will mean opportunities to realize their talents in the service of Tufts' goals. Fulfilling our vision of quality will mean choices. No university can do everything for everyone, and we will seek to do those things in which we can excel. Nor is quality static, and we will therefore welcome change and innovation, continually improving quality in every aspect of the University.

Learning

Knowledge is important but alone is not enough. Learning must be lifelong. We will teach our students how to obtain, evaluate, and use information. We will prepare them to use historical perspective and to be receptive to new ideas. Our students will be sensitive to ethical issues and able to confront them.

Teaching And The Search For Knowledge

As a teaching University, we will honor and promote effective teaching, both inside and outside the classroom. We will seek an environment in which faculty and students are mutually engaged in the search for knowledge. We value research and scholarly activities independently from their contribution to teaching, but they will never become so important that we forget our commitment to educating our students. We believe technology can help us to enhance our educational programs and the services that support them. We will seek opportunities to use it effectively.

Citizenship

As an institution, we are committed to improving the human condition through education and discovery. Beyond this commitment, we will strive to be a model for society at large. We want to foster an attitude of "giving back," an understanding that active citizen participation is essential to freedom and democracy, and a desire to make the world a better place.

Diversity

We value a diverse community of women and men of different races, religions, geographic origins, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, personal characteristics, and interests--where differences are understood and respected.

Global Orientation

We will cultivate in our students an understanding of the citizens and cultures of the world, realizing this goal through our curriculum, study abroad, and students who come to Tufts from abroad. We will strive to contribute to global intellectual capital, harmony, and well-being.

Fiscal Responsibility

Fulfilling the University's mission and its obligations to its students, faculty, staff, and other constituencies requires that we pursue policies that ensure fiscal soundness, now and in the future. To accomplish this, we will seek out new resources as well as using those we have as efficiently and effectively as possible. Tufts believes its focus on its students and the profession of teaching leads to its agile and responsive research efforts and its rank as one of the top universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report.