By SU Public Relations
Located in Salisbury, MD, Salisbury University introduced its inaugural graduate program, the Master of Education, in 1962. Over the years, the institution has expanded its graduate offerings to encompass 14 master’s and two doctoral programs. Fast forward to the present day, these programs have found a new home under the umbrella of the recently established Graduate School at SU.
The primary objective behind the establishment of the Graduate School at SU is not only to bolster efforts in increasing graduate enrollment but also to enhance rankings and solidify the university’s institutional identity. President Carolyn Ringer Lepre expressed, “The inception of the Graduate School at SU is geared towards advancing our commitment to graduate education, paving the way for new opportunities for growth, and fostering a stronger sense of pride and community among our graduate students.”
Dr. Laurie Couch, the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at SU, remarked, “The inception of the Graduate School at SU signifies not just a new chapter for the University, but a realm of possibilities for both current and prospective master’s and doctoral candidates. This marks a pivotal moment as we strive to revolutionize graduate education at Salisbury.”
Dr. Clifton Griffin, the founding dean of the Graduate School at SU, acknowledged, “This new academic venture is a culmination of the dedication and scholarly pursuits of our faculty, students, and alumni who have embraced the challenge of attaining an advanced degree—a feat achieved by less than 15% of Americans. We are enthusiastic about contributing to an increase in this statistic in the future.”
Apart from managing SU’s array of graduate programs, the Graduate School will operate 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 is undeniable. Moreover, today’s undergraduates are the future cohort of graduate scholars. Nurturing undergraduate research presently equips them for their academic journey ahead. The consolidation of these three entities fosters synergy and prospects for continuous development.”
Salisbury University’s graduate programs have garnered accolades from esteemed publications such as U.S. News & World Report, recognizing SU’s online M.B.A. and graduate nursing programs as some of the finest in the nation.
The roster of master’s programs at SU includes offerings in applied biology, history, health and human performance, GIS management, mathematics education, and social work, along with M.A. programs in conflict analysis and dispute resolution, and teaching. Additionally, a new master’s program in public communication is currently awaiting approval.
SU’s doctoral programs comprise the Doctor of Nursing Practice and an online Ed.D. in literacy studies: literacy.
Furthermore, 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 advanced study in educational leadership, as well as a post-doctorate certificate of completion for family nurse practitioner.
The addition of the Graduate School complements SU’s existing 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 regarding SU’s graduate programs, please visit the Salisbury University Graduate Programs website. Explore more about SU and the opportunities to shape your future at the Salisbury University website.