The Graduate School of the College of Charleston will celebrate the graduation of its largest class ever. A total of 160 students will graduate on May 11, 2012, an increase of 30-percent from 2011 when 113 students walked across the stage.
The Master of Education in Teaching, Learning, and Advocacy (MTLA) saw the largest percentage increase in graduates from two in 2011 to 10 in 2012. This program is the fastest growing program at the College of Charleston. Since it launched in 2009, it has grown from nine students to more than 50. The MTLA program is unique because it develops leadership skills and enhances a teacher’s ability to serve students, parents and other teachers in diverse settings.
Several other programs have doubled the number of graduates including the Master of Arts in English program (from six to 12 graduates), the Master of Public Administration (from 10 to 24 graduates) and the Master of Science in Marine Biology (from five to nine graduates). Other programs that increased the number of graduates over last year are the Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education, the Master of Science in Mathematics and the Statistics Certificate.
“More people than ever before are seeking a master’s degree,” says Amy McCandless, dean of the Graduate School. “Since 2009, we’ve had record numbers of applications and we attribute this to the state of the economy, more jobs than ever before requiring a master’s degree, and an increase in our recruitment efforts. With the growth of programs like the M.A.T. in Teaching, Learning, and Advocacy, we expect to continue to see large numbers of graduates.”
New for 2011-12 was the dual Master of Environmental Studies and Master of Public Administration program. The College of Charleston is the first institution in the Southeast to offer a Master’s degree focused on a professional career in environmental and sustainability issues.
For more information, contact Niki DeWeese Levia at 843.953.1435.
