Graduates Pursuing Additional Education - 2006
Approximately 18% of the graduates surveyed indicated that they are enrolled full-time in a graduate/professional school (see Table 25).  Approximately 3% are currently pursuing graduate studies on a part-time basis.  There are an additional 3% who have been accepted to graduate schools.

Table 25
Graduate/Professional School Attendance - Class of 2006

Number Percent
Have not applied   202   63.1
Have applied     41   12.8
Have been accepted       9     2.8
Am currently enrolled part-time     11     3.4
Am currently enrolled full-time      57     17.8  
Total   320 100.0

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 part-time and those that are enrolled full-time in graduate or professional programs. The results can be summarized as follows:

Females are slighlty more likely to pursue graduate education (24%) than are males (21%). This trend was similar to last year.

The percentage of graduates continuing their education is higher for SC graduates than for out of state graduates (25% versus 20%).

The School of Science and Mathematics has the highest percentage of graduates continuing their education (29%).

Table 26
Graduate/Professional School Attendance
Comparison of All Groups

Group Number Pursued
Education		 Did Not
Pursue Education
Class of 2006     320            24.1                 76.0
Gender      
      Males       86            27.9                   72.1
      Females     197            23.9                 76.1
State Residence      
      SC Graduates     174            27.0                 73.0
      Out of State Graduates     109            22.0                 78.0
School      
      School of Business       61            21.3                 78.7
      School of Humanities and Social Sciences     157            23.0                 77.0 
      School of Languages, Cultures, & World Affairs       17            29.4                 70.6
      School of the Arts       21            14.3                 85.7
      School of Science and Mathematics       38            34.2                 65.8
      School of Education        26              26.9                 73.1

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
Citadel                     6
MUSC                   11
University of Charleston                     7
University of South Carolina                     5


Approximately 69% of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in a Master's degree program (Table 28); Over 20% received a graduate assistantship or fellowship (Table 29).

Table 28
Graduate Degree Completed or Sought

Degree  Number Percent
Masters      47   69.1
PhD       21    30.9
Total      68 100.0

Table 29
Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship

Number Percent
No     52    76.5
Yes      16      23.5  
Total     68  100.0

The majority of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in Humanities programs (25%) (see Table 30). For a complete list of study programs pursued by the 2006 graduates see Appendix D.

Table 30
Summary of Graduate Programs Attended

Discipline  Number Percent
Arts        2     2.8
Business     14   19.4
Education       4     5.6
Humanities     18   25.0
Law       9   12.5
MD/DMD       5     6.9
Medicine - Other       7     9.7
Other       9   12.5
Math/Sciences       4     5.6
Total     72 100.0
Of those who chose to pursue graduate education and explained their decision, 50 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.     50  
I want to enhance my earning potential.     31  
I want to further my personal growth.     33  
I could not secure employment.       3  
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