What are Elective Classifications?
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching sponsors Elective Classifications for those institutions that have made extraordinary commitments to their public purpose. The Elective Classifications are managed on behalf of the Carnegie Foundation by an Elective Classification Central Office, which is housed at the American Council on Education.
There are three Elective Classifications: Community Engagement, Leadership for Public Purpose, and Sustainability. Each of the Carnegie Elective Classifications is administered and operated by a host institution. For more information about each elective, please visit the host institutions’ websites noted on the right.
Unlike the Carnegie Classifications, institutions must apply to receive an Elective Classification and be recognized for their extraordinary commitment to a specific theme. Elective Classifications are not awards. They are evidence-based documentation of institutional policy and practices focusing on areas such as institutional culture and mission, curricular and co-curricular programming, continuous improvement activities, and the recruitment and reward of faculty, staff, and students. Becoming a classified institution requires the investment of substantial effort by participating institutions to provide evidence of the commitment.
To view and download a list of campuses that currently hold an Elective Classification, please visit the Institution Search and select the appropriate Elective Classification from the list on the left.
Elective Classification for Community Engagement
The Elective Classification for Community Engagement is administered by the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES), with the next classification in 2029. It recognizes colleges and universities that have institutionalized community engagement throughout their campus.
About Elective Classification for Community Engagement
Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose
The Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose is administered by Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders. The 2027 cycle is currently underway. It recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an institution-wide commitment to developing ethical leadership capacity in service of the public good through coordinated policies, practices, and programs.
About Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose
Elective Classification for Sustainability
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability is administered by the University of Colorado Boulder and has launched its first classification cycle for 2027. It is designed to recognize and celebrate institutions that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and climate action as integral to their academic missions.