College of Charleston

Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university. Since our founding in 1770, the College has maintained a strong liberal arts curriculum. The College is a state-supported, comprehensive institution and ranks among the nation’s top universities for quality of life, affordability, and exceptional education in the arts, sciences, education, and business. Our beautiful and historic campus, combined with contemporary facilities and cutting-edge programs, attracts exceptional students and faculty from across the U.S. and around the world.

Academics

Over 12,200 students select from more than 130 undergraduate majors and minors  and 27 master’s degrees and graduate certificate programs. For example, we are the only college in America with an undergraduate program in Data Science. We have an entire school dedicated to Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs, and we offer 25 interdisciplinary minors in topics as diverse as environmental studies and crime, law and society.

The strength of a College of Charleston education is in its deeply rooted liberal arts and sciences tradition. Our goal is to prepare our students to be ethical, open-minded leaders and multidisciplinary problem solvers. Our success is largely due to our incredible faculty—accomplished teacher-scholars who are wholly invested in the intellectual growth and personal development of their students.

The College of Charleston is a mid-sized university organized around six academic schools:

Additionally, academic programs are coordinated by the Graduate School, Honors College, Center for International Education, and the College of Charleston North Campus. 

About the College

A superior quality undergraduate program is central to the mission of the College. The College provides a creative and intellectually stimulating environment where students are challenged by a committed faculty of more than 500 distinguished teacher-scholars, all in an incomparable setting. The city of Charleston—world-renowned for its history, architecture, culture and coastal environment—serves as a living and learning laboratory for experiences in business, science, technology, teaching, the humanities, languages, and the arts. In addition to offering a broad range of bachelor’s degree programs, the College also provides master’s degree programs that are compatible with the needs of the community and the state. As a prominent component of the state's higher education system, the College encourages and supports research. Our faculty members are important sources of knowledge and expertise for the community, the state, and the nation.

Our professors are Fulbright and Guggenheim fellows, National Science Foundation CAREER award recipients, world-renowned performers, and Oprah’s Book Club authors. These faculty accolades, while impressive on their own, are even more remarkable when you consider the level of engagement and attention these accomplished scholars and professionals devote to their students. They are committed mentors who make sure that every student has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential. College of Charleston professors are partners in meaningful undergraduate research, thoughtful academic advisors, and in many cases, lifelong friends.

At the College of Charleston, you’ll meet students, faculty, and staff from different cultures, ethnic backgrounds, beliefs, and sexual orientations. Students from 49 states and 62 countries choose the College for its small-college feel blended with the advantages and diversity of an urban, mid-sized university. Our students learn how to succeed and grow, both inside and outside the classroom. This comes from a rigorous exposure to the arts, sciences and humanities, and from a dedication to achievement in education, business and other professional careers. It comes from exceptional opportunities to pursue knowledge and conduct research at the undergraduate and graduate level beside some of  the nation’s finest faculty. It comes from a vibrant and enriching campus life that provides meaningful opportunities to become engaged, to make a difference, and to become a leader.

While they live, work, and study in one of the greatest cities in the world, our students share many of the same hopes and dreams. They want to discover themselves, find out what they can achieve and create their own future. At the College of Charleston, we help students learn how to make that happen. In the great liberal arts tradition, a College of Charleston education focuses on discovery and personal growth, as well as preparing for life, work, and service in our society.

The College actively seeks to attract a diverse group of faculty who will help students excel academically and who will encourage individuals to thrive while engaging in original inquiry and creative expression in an atmosphere of intellectual freedom. Our classrooms provide students the opportunity to realize their intellectual and personal potential and to become responsible, productive members of society.

What makes the College of Charleston experience so exceptional?

Remarkable Students

College of Charleston students are phenomenally bright, creative, and independent. Last year, our students made contributions to society that had a tremendous impact on the Charleston community and the world at large. Graduating seniors won national awards, fellowships, and graduate scholarships to study subjects ranging from philosophy in New York, to international economics at Johns Hopkins, to Buddhism in China. They wrote award-winning papers, won conference championships, and developed professional networks that have led to remarkable careers.

Distinguished Faculty

Our accomplished faculty members share a commitment to their students and a research outlook that defines the term “teacher-scholar.” College of Charleston professors are here because they love what they do and because they are personally committed to the success of every one of their students. They acknowledge the talent of these students by engaging with them in meaningful, graduate-level research even as sophomores or juniors.

It’s an exciting time to be at the College of Charleston. After more than 240 years, we continue to evolve. Our reputation is spreading. More and more exceptional students make us their top choice, and we attract and retain the caliber of faculty that other colleges dream about. Consider a career at the College of Charleston. Apply online at jobs.cofc.edu.

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