Graduates Pursuing Additional Education - 2003
Approximately 16% 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 5.4% who have been accepted to graduate schools.

Table 25
Graduate/Professional School Attendance - Class of 2003


Number Percent
Have not applied   203   68.8
Have applied     19     6.4
Have been accepted     16     5.4
Am currently enrolled part-time     10     3.4
Am currently enrolled full-time      47    15.9  
Total   295 100.0
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 similar proportions (21% and 26%). 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 (29% versus 20%).

The School of Sciences and Mathematics has the highest percentage of graduates continuing their education (49%).

Table 26
Graduate/Professional School Attendance
Comparison of All Groups


Group Number Pursued Education Did Not Pursue Education
Class of 2003     295            24.8                 75.3
Males       76            21.1                  79.0
Females     207            26.1                 73.9
SC Graduates     156            28.9                 71.2
Out of State Graduates     127            19.7                 80.3
School of Business       60            11.7                 88.3
School of Humanities and Social Sciences     139            23.7                 76.3 
School of the Arts       21            28.6                 71.4
School of Science and Mathematics       39            48.7                 51.3
School of Education        36             22.2                 77.8

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
The Citadel                      5
Graduate School at College of Charleston                      5
MUSC                    11
University of South Carolina                      7


Approximately 74% of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in a Master's degree program (Table 28); Over 23% received a graduate assistantship or fellowship (Table 29).

Table 28
Graduate Degree Completed or Sought


Degree  Number Percent
Masters      52   74.3
PhD       18    25.7
Total      70 100.0

Table 29
Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship


Number Percent
No     51    76.1
Yes      16     23.9 
Total     70  100.0

The majority of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in Humanities programs (24%). The next largest group is represented by medically related fields (16%) other than MD/DMDs (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        3     4.4
Business       8   11.8
Education       8   11.8
Humanities     16   23.5
Law       8   11.8
MD/DMD       7   10.3
Medicine/Other     11   16.2
Math/Sciences       6    8.8
Other       1     1.5
Total     68 100.0
Of those who chose to pursue graduate education and explained their decision, 56 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.     56  
I want to enhance my earning potential.     30  
I want to further my personal growth.     28   
I could not secure employment.       9  
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