Goals: [LONG-TERM GOAL 1] [LONG-TERM GOAL 2] [LONG-TERM GOAL 3] [LONG-TERM GOAL 4] [LONG-TERM GOAL 5] [LONG-TERM GOAL 6]

To develop the next generation of intellectual leadership through excellent doctoral programs and graduate programs at the master’s and certificate levels.

ACHIEVEMENTS (2009-2010):

For the past six years, the College has pursued strategic objectives to realize this goal. We have been largely successful at building strong graduate programs, especially at the doctoral level, and the NRC rankings released in September 2010 are external validation of this achievement.

Since 2005, the College has established stable, systematic, and sustainable plans for graduate student support. These plans enabled us to maintain and even enhance our commitment to graduate education in the face of the severe budget cuts of the past three years as well as those we will incur in 2011-2012. Throughout this difficult time, we have approached the cuts not by simply conducting a budget-cutting exercise, but by engaging in serious academic planning for the short and long-range future of the College and the University. Graduate education continues to emerge as one of the chief priorities and deep commitments of the College.

National Recognition :

• The 2006 NRC rankings (released in September 2010) afforded national recognition to a number of College doctoral programs. Of particular note are the doctoral programs in Biological Sciences, Comparative Literature, English, Geography, and History.
• The doctoral programs in School Psychology and Clinical Community Psychology have earned reaccreditation by the American Psychological Association.

Graduate Student Support :

• During the 2008-2010 budget cuts, the College preserved graduate student funding at existing levels, and in Fall 2010, committed to full funding of tuition abatements for full-time, College-supported graduate assistantships.
• In cooperation with the Graduate School, the College continues to support graduate student travel for presenting work at national and international professional conferences, symposia, and performances
• Since FY 2006, College support for graduate students has grown by 25%.

New Doctoral Programs:

• The doctoral program in Criminology and Criminal Justice admitted its first class in Fall 2008 and is expected to produce its first PhDs in 2012.
• The doctoral program in Anthropology, established in Fall 2005, produced its first PhD in May 2010.
• The PhD in Spanish was awarded full approval in Summer 2010, and will admit its first class for Fall 2011.
• The Applied and Computational area of emphasis for the doctoral program in Mathematics was fully approved and implemented Spring 2010.

Graduate Program Quality Assurance :

• The Academic Planning Council completed external academic program reviews of three units with graduate programs (History, Marine Science, and Sociology) and initiated four external reviews: Anthropology (completed Fall 2010), Biological Sciences, English, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

New Structures for New Opportunities :

• The new School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment (SEOE) has consolidated resources for key research, academic, engagement, and service programs related to the environment. Within the SEOE, graduate program management has been consolidated for greater interaction and interdisciplinary opportunities for students in the MS and PhD programs in Geological Sciences and Marine Science as well as the Master of Earth and Environmental Resources Management (MEERM.)

Graduate Program Management :

• Graduate course enrollment minima guidelines, established as an emergency measure in 2009 in response to fiscal exigencies, have been relaxed in specific areas for 2010-2011 planning.

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Contact:  Mary Ann Byrnes/Editor, Online Handbook (777-5371 or byrnes@sc.edu)