Graduates Pursuing Additional Education - 2000
Almost 16% of the graduates surveyed indicated that they are enrolled full-time in a graduate/professional school (see Table 25).  Almost 5% 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 2000


Number Percent
Have not applied   220   69.2
Have applied     23     7.2
Have been accepted     10     3.1
Am currently enrolled part-time     15     4.7
Am currently enrolled full-time      50    15.7 
Total   318 100.0
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 pursue graduate education in higher proportions than do males (24.3% compared to 23.2%). Last year (1999), more males (20.8%) pursued education in higher proportions than females (18.2%).

The percentage of graduates continuing their education is higher for SC graduates than for out of state graduates (29% versus 13.9%).

The School of Sciences and Mathematics and the School of Education have the highest percentage of graduates continuing their education (31.8% and 30.6%).

Table 26
Graduate/Professional School Attendance
Comparison of All Groups


Group Number Pursued Education Did Not Pursue Education
Class of 2000     325            23.1                 76.9
Males       95            23.2                  76.8
Females     206            24.3                 75.7
SC Graduates     193            29.0                 71.0
Out of State Graduates     108            13.9                 86.1
School of Business       54            11.1                 88.9
School of Humanities and Social Sciences     165            23.6                 76.4 
School of the Arts       19            26.3                 73.7
School of Science and Mathematics       44            31.8                 68.2
School of Education        36             30.6                  69.4

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                   9
MUSC                   8
University of Charleston                   8
University of South Carolina                   6


Approximately 69% of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in a Master's degree program (Table 28); 16% received a graduate assistantship or fellowship (Table 29).

Table 28
Graduate Degree Completed or Sought


Degree  Number Percent
Masters     45   69.2
PhD      20    30.8
Total     65 100.0

Table 29
Graduate Assistantship/Fellowship


Number Percent
No     57    83.8
Yes      11   16.18 
Total     68  100.0

The majority of those pursuing graduate education are enrolled in Humanities (26.5%). The next largest group is represented by Law (20.6%) programs (see Table 30). For a complete list of study programs pursued by the 2000 graduates see Appendix D.

Table 30
Summary of Graduate Programs Attended


Discipline  Number Percent
Arts       2     2.9
Business       6     8.8
Education       4     5.9
Humanities     18   26.5
Law     14   20.6
Medicine     12   17.6
Sciences     12   17.6z
Total     68 100.0
Of those who chose to pursue graduate education and explained their decision, 53 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.     53  
I want to enhance my earning potential.     34  
I want to further my personal growth.     33   
I could not secure employment.       4  
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