In 1962, Salisbury University initiated its inaugural graduate program, the Master of Education. Over the years, SU has expanded its graduate offerings to encompass 14 master’s and two doctoral programs. With the recent establishment of the Graduate School at SU, these programs now have a new institutional home.
The goal of the Graduate School at SU, as articulated by SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre, is to not only broaden initiatives for increasing graduate enrollment but also to enhance rankings and strengthen the university’s identity. This formalized graduate school underscores SU’s dedication to graduate education, providing students with a greater sense of pride and community belonging.
Dr. Laurie Couch, SU’s provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, emphasized that the creation of the Graduate School marks a significant milestone in transforming graduate education at Salisbury University, offering new prospects for both current and prospective master’s and doctoral students.
Dr. Clifton Griffin, the founding dean of the Graduate School at SU, highlighted the collective efforts of faculty, students, and alumni in advancing the school. The Graduate School aims to contribute to increasing the percentage of Americans holding advanced degrees, which currently stands at fewer than 15%.
Apart from overseeing SU’s graduate programs, the Graduate School will be housed alongside the University’s Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (OURCA). Dr. Griffin emphasized the symbiotic relationship between faculty research support and graduate education, noting the importance of nurturing undergraduate research to prepare students for advanced studies.
SU’s graduate programs have garnered recognition from esteemed publications like U.S. News & World Report, particularly for the excellence of the online M.B.A. and graduate nursing programs.
Salisbury University offers a diverse array of master’s programs, including Applied Biology, History, Health and Human Performance, GIS Management, Mathematics Education, Social Work, Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution, and Teaching. A new master’s program in Public Communication is currently awaiting approval.
The doctoral programs at SU comprise the Doctor of Nursing Practice and an online Ed.D. in Literacy Studies. Additionally, the University provides post-baccalaureate certificates in Health Care Management and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL), post-master certificates in Advanced Study in Education Leadership and a post-doctorate certificate of completion for Family Nurse Practitioner.
The Graduate School is now part of SU’s distinguished schools and colleges, including the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts, Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education, College of Health and Human Services, and Glenda Chatham and Robert G. Clarke Honors College.
For further details on SU’s graduate programs, please visit Salisbury University Graduate Programs.