Graduates Pursuing Additional Education - 2002
Approximately 20% of the graduates surveyed indicated that they are enrolled full-time in a graduate/professional school (see Table 25).  Approximately 4% are currently pursuing graduate studies on a part-time basis.  There are an additional 4.4% who have been accepted to graduate schools.

Table 25
Graduate/Professional School Attendance - Class of 2002


Number Percent
Have not applied   166   60.8
Have applied     30   11.0
Have been accepted     12     4.4
Am currently enrolled part-time     11     4.0
Am currently enrolled full-time      54    19.8 
Total   273 100.0
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:

Males and females pursue graduate education in almost the same proportions (29%). 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 (35% versus 21%).

The School of Sciences and Mathematics has the highest percentage of graduates continuing their education (44%).

Table 26
Graduate/Professional School Attendance
Comparison of All Groups


Group Number Pursued Education Did Not Pursue Education
Class of 2002     273            28.2                 71.8
Males       72            29.2                  70.8
Females     180            29.4                 70.6
SC Graduates     153            34.6                 65.4
Out of State Graduates       99            21.2                 78.8
School of Business       56            19.6                 80.4
School of Humanities and Social Sciences     119            26.1                 74.0 
School of the Arts       20            25.0                 75.0
School of Science and Mathematics       43            44.2                 55.8
School of Education        35             31.4                 68.6

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
MUSC                   10
University of Charleston                     5
University of South Carolina                   11


Approximately 71% of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in a Master's degree program (Table 28); Over 30% received a graduate assistantship or fellowship (Table 29).

Table 28
Graduate Degree Completed or Sought


Degree  Number Percent
Masters      48   70.6
PhD       20    29.4
Total      68 100.0

Table 29
Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship


Number Percent
No     44    65.7
Yes      23     34.3 
Total     67  100.0

The majority of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in Humanities programs (25%). The next largest group is represented by Education fields (16%) (see Table 30). For a complete list of study programs pursued by the 2002 graduates see Appendix D.

Table 30
Summary of Graduate Programs Attended


Discipline  Number Percent
Arts        4     5.5
Business       7     9.6
Education     12   16.4
Humanities     18   24.7
Law     10   13.7
MD/DMD       5     6.8
Medicine/Other       7     9.6
Other       1     1.4
Sciences       9   12.3
Total     73 100.0
Of those who chose to pursue graduate education and explained their decision, 52 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.     52  
I want to enhance my earning potential.     34  
I want to further my personal growth.     34   
I could not secure employment.       2  
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