Graduates Pursuing Additional Education - 1999
Thirteen  percent of the graduates surveyed indicated that they are enrolled full-time in a graduate/professional school (see Table 25).  Four percent are currently pursuing graduate studies on a part-time basis.  There are an additional 2% who have been accepted to graduate schools.

Table 25
Graduate/Professional School Attendance - Class of 1999


Number Percent
Have not applied    232   72.3
Have applied     29     9.0
Have been accepted       5     1.6
Am currently enrolled part-time     13     4.1
Am currently enrolled full-time      42    13.1 
Total   321 100.0
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 pursue graduate education in higher proportions than do females (21% compared to 18%). Last year (1998) was similar with males (26%) pursuing education in higher proportions than females (20%).

The percentage of graduates continuing their education is approximately the same for out of state graduates and for SC  graduates (19%).

The School of Sciences and Mathematics has the highest percentage of graduates continuing their education (32%).


Table 26
Graduate/Professional School Attendance
Comparison of All Groups


Group Number Pursued Education Did Not Pursue Education
Class of 1999     321            18.7                 81.3
Males       77            20.8                  79.2
Females     192            18.2                 81.8
SC Graduates     167            18.6                 81.4
Out of State Graduates     100            19.0                 81.0
School of Business       50            10.0                 90.0
School of Humanities and Social Sciences     138            15.9                 84.1 
School of the Arts       19            21.1                 78.9
School of Science and Mathematics       59            32.2                 67.8
School of Education        48             16.7                  83.3 
College of Charleston graduates are pursuing graduate education in several states and foreign countries. 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
University of Charleston                  5
University of South Carolina                10
Approximately 26% of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled or are seeking a doctorate (Table 28); 38% received a graduate assistantship or fellowship (Table 29).

Table 28
Graduate Degree Completed or Sought


Degree  Number Percent
Masters     39   73.6
PhD      14    26.4
Total     53 100.0

Table 29
Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship


Number Percent
No     31    62.0
Yes      19     38.0 
Total     50  100.0

The majority of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in programs dealing with medecine (Medical School, Nursing, and Dental School) (24%). The next largest groups are represented by Sciences (22%) and Education (20%) fields (see Table 30). For a complete list of study programs pursued by the 1999 graduates see Appendix D.

Table 30
Summary of Graduate Programs Attended


Discipline  Number Percent
Arts       2     3.6
Business       7   12.7
Education     11   20.0
Humanities       6    10.9
Law       4     7.3
Medicine     13   23.6
Sciences     12   21.8
Total     55 100.0
Of those who chose to pursue graduate education and explained their decision, 42 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.     42  
I want to enhance my earning potential.     30  
I want to further my personal growth.     23   
I could not secure employment.       3  
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