CCU hosts graduate programs open house for prospective students
Those interested in pursuing graduate studies will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from each academic college, as well as Coastal's Office of Online Learning, to gather information and advice on pursuing a graduate degree.
"Each college will be represented by current faculty, staff, graduate students and deans," said graduate admissions recruiter Kristin Olsen. "Everyone you want to talk to will be in one place, ready to share details of their programs with you."
Coastal Carolina University is home to 24 different graduate programs in the colleges of business, education, science, and humanities and fine arts.
In addition to the representatives from each college, members of student services such as financial aid, student accounts, veterans affairs and career services will be available to discuss the resources CCU offers graduate students.
The event will begin with a special appearance from Chauncey, CCU's mascot, who will be taking pictures with attendees. Light hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served, and the evening will end with special prize drawings for CCU gear, a graduate school application fee waiver and more.
"This will be a relaxed atmosphere with food and fun," said Olsen. "We want our guests to leave with all the knowledge they need to make an informed decision about graduate study at Coastal."
When it comes to searching for graduate programs, Olsen and the College of Graduate Studies and Research have three crucial pieces of advice: research, planning and preparedness.
"Talk to faculty, students and staff in programs that you are interested in," said Olsen. "Read up on a variety of programs and explore the career opportunities with those degrees."
Olsen recognizes that the purpose of a graduate degree is to pursue a goal, and it is important to determine if graduate school is the best way to achieve those goals. "Graduate degrees should be used to further your long-term goals and achieve a specific area of employment-whether that be in higher education, business, research or whatever passion you are pursuing."
The College of Graduate Studies and Research was established at CCU in January 2019. The college focuses on the coordination of graduate recruitment and enrollment across all academic disciplines and houses the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Services as well as the Office of Undergraduate Research.
Space for the event is limited. RSVP to the event through coastal.edu/forms/graduatestudies/openhouse. Those who pre-register will be entered in a drawing for a gift basket of special Coastal Carolina University-themed items.
For more information, visit coastal.edu/graduatestudies. View a list of the graduate programs CCU offers at coastal.edu/graduateprograms.