Graduates Pursuing Additional Education - 2003
Approximately 35% of the surveyed respondents indicated that they are currently pursuing additonal education or have already completed their graduate education. Of the 35%, approximately 18% of the graduates indicated that they are enrolled full-time in a graduate/professional school (see Table 25).

Table 25
Graduate/Professional School Attendance - Class of 2003

Number Percent
Have not applied   175   56.6
Have applied     20     6.5
Have been accepted       7     2.3
Am currently enrolled part-time     23     7.4
Am currently enrolled full-time      56     18.1  
Have already completed      21       6.8  
Attended but not completed        7       2.3  
Total   309 100.0
Table 26 examines graduate school attendance by gender, state residency and school. The group pursuing graduate education includes those that have been accepted to graduate or professional schools, those enrolled either part-time or full-time in graduate or professional programs, and those who have already completed their graduate or professional program. The results can be summarized as follows:

Females are more likely than males to pursue additional education (39% versus 28%).

The percentage of graduates continuing their education is slightly higher for SC graduates than for out of state graduates (41% versus 30%).

The School of Sciences and Mathematics has the highest percentage of graduates who are continuing or have completed their education (52%).

Table 26
Graduate/Professional School Attendance
Comparison of All Groups

Group Number Pursued Education Did Not Pursue Education
Class of 2003     281           30.6                 69.4
Gender
   Males      39           28.2                 71.8
   Females      93           38.7                 61.3
State Residence
   SC Graduates       68            41.2                 58.8
   Out of State Graduates       64            29.7                 70.3
School
   School of Business       51              9.8                 90.2
   School of Humanities and Social Sciences     126            31.0                 69.0  
   School of the Arts       24            25.0                 75.0
   School of Science and Mathematics       44            52.3                 47.7
   School of Education        33              39.4                 60.6

College of Charleston graduates are pursuing graduate education in several states. Table 27 lists the institutions where five or more graduates are currently enrolled. For a complete list of institutions see Appendix C at the end of the report.

Table 27
Institutions with 5 or more CofC Graduates

Institution       Number of Graduates
Medical University of South Carolina                       17
Graduate School at College of Charleston                       12
University of South Carolina                         8


Approximately 78% of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in a Master's degree program (Table 28); over 25% received a graduate assistantship or fellowship (Table 29).

Table 28
Graduate Degree Completed or Sought

Degree  Number Percent
Masters      80   78.4
PhD       22     21.6
Total    102 100.0

Table 29
Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship

Number Percent
No     74    72.6
Yes      28      27.5  
Total   102  100.0

The majority of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in Humanities programs (25%). The next largest group is represented by Medicine and related medical professions (19%) (see Table 30). For a complete list of study programs pursued by the 2003 graduates see Appendix D.

Table 30
Summary of Graduate Programs Attended

Discipline  Number Percent
Arts        4     3.9
Business       9     8.7
Education     14   13.5
Humanities     26   25.0
Law     11   10.6
MD/DMD     10     9.6
Medicine/Other     10     9.6
Math & Sciences     10     9.6
Other     10     9.6
Total   104 100.0
Of those who chose to pursue graduate education and explained their decision, 31 reported having done so because their ‘career goal can only be obtained through further education' (see Table 31).

Table 31
Reasons for Pursuing Graduate Education

Reasons Number
My career goal can only be obtained through further education.     31  
I want to enhance my earning potential.     19  
I want to further my personal growth.     18    
I could not secure employment.       4  
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