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.

FUTURE PLANS (2010-2011):

Best Practices in Doctoral Education :

• The College invited a consultant team from the Council of Graduate Schools to help frame questions for a multi-year, College-wide conversation on doctoral education. The site visit took place in November 2010, and the report was received in December 2010. The consultants’ report has served as the springboard  for the College’s examination of best practices and future planning for doctoral education.
• The College of Arts and Sciences Retreat on Doctoral Education took place on January 14, 2011. The College department chairs and program directors, graduate directors, the Interim Dean of the Graduate School, and the Dean and associate and assistant deans of the College of Arts and Sciences met in a day-long session to share ideas on best practices. Preliminary recommendations that emerged at the retreat have been shared with the Interim Dean of the Graduate School, College department chairs and program directors, and the Academic Planning Council. Further recommendations are in progress.

• The College will fully fund tuition abatements for full-time, College-supported graduate assistantships, effective Fall 2010.
• College departments and programs will seek Presidential Doctoral Fellowships for incoming doctoral students with an aggressive nomination campaign.
• As the College prepares for the fourth year of fiscal austerity in FY 2012,  graduate student support, especially in doctoral programs,  will remain a key priority

Graduate Program Quality Assurance :

• The College will continue the cycle of thorough external reviews of graduate programs.
• Plans are in development to include key NRC measures in the annual program assessment process

Graduate Program Management :

• Effective Fall 2010, the College will relax emergency course minima guidelines for graduate courses in selected areas.
• Plans are underway to convene the College’s Directors of Graduate Studies across disciplines to share best practices and develop plans for advancing graduate education in the College

Data Collection :

• The College continues to refine its practices for collecting, aggregating, and reviewing data on PhD job placement.
• As the new student information system is put in place, the College will explore new ways to collect useful data, e.g., graduate student retention data

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