7 minute read
GRADUATE GAINS
Advanced degrees expand on the Hill
Saturday morning, 9 a.m., Turner Hall. The large assembly room is not only bustling with students, but actually buzzing with students involved in a lively discussion about changes in government education policy.
Though many in the room have a coffee cup nearby, they are alert and engaged. Thoughtful questions are posed. A casual observer might be a bit puzzled by the weekend session.
A closer look, however, reveals that the participants are not, in fact, LC undergraduates. They are among the 100 graduate students taking part in degree options offered by the college’s Education program.
This Saturday seminar scene offers just one indication of the excitement and expansion taking place in graduate degrees at LaGrange College.
Graduate growth
Since 2021 graduate enrollment has increased at the college by 170%. And that growth has been intentional.
“The number of high school graduates is expected to peak in May 2025 and then begin a gradual decline over the next 10 to 15 years,” says Dr. Brian Peterson, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “As a result, it’s necessary for institutions to look for new applicant pools to boost enrollment.
At LaGrange, the focus on graduate offerings has led the college not only to new degrees in established areas like education—including the institution’s first doctoral degree—but also to new options in disciplines like computer science.
Teaching the teachers
“We know we have to grow graduate programs, and our department is the logical place to start,” says Dr. Gretta Milam, Associate Professor of Education and Chair of the Education and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Department. “Since we’ve been offering graduate degrees for some time, we understand the landscape. Now the challenge is working to find other program options, qualify the viable ones and get them off the ground and running.”
Clearly, the department’s new Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction is one such success story. Launched last fall with 30 students, the degree expects to enroll 25 more this year.
“It’s good work and exciting work,” Dr. Milam says. “It’s exciting to see people doing their own research—and realize that they can do it—on the way to obtaining that degree.”
Research rewards
The first Ed.D. cohort is just digging into the research phase of their journey, progress that was showcased during a Graduate Research Symposium on April 12.
“My particular study is focusing on the importance of induction programs and teacher mentorship for those new to the profession,” says Chance Giddens Ed.S.’11, Social Studies chair at Troup County High School.
In addition to helping future teachers, Giddens says he hopes that pursing his doctorate will demonstrate the importance of lifelong learning to his own students.
“Being able to talk about the importance of education while getting an education myself is the type of relevance that resonates with young people today.”
He also says that the camaraderie with peers and the support of faculty have brought joy to the rigorous process.
“I know from past experience that if someone has an advanced degree in education from LaGrange College, that someone has earned said degree.”
Support superstars
For Marrisa Merrell Ed.S.’22, assistant principal at Dougherty Comprehensive High School, her previous stint in an LC graduate program drew her back for another degree.
“I had such a wonderful time in the Specialist program that I was inspired to return and continue my studies in the doctoral program in curriculum and instruction,” she says.
As was her experience before, the faculty have become her superstars.
“What I appreciate most is the professors’ willingness to go above and beyond for their students,” she says. “They regularly stay after class to address questions, provide support or simply offer words of encouragement during challenging times.”
She believes the degree is preparing her to become a true change agent in the field.
“Overall, the program has been inspiring and transformative. I feel equipped to lead with purpose, engage in scholarly conversations and contribute to positive change in education.”
Careers in counseling
If you’re looking for another example of dramatic growth in LaGrange graduate programs, you needn’t look further than the Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree. Since 2021 the program’s enrollment has increased by 195%.
“People say, ‘They’ve got something special down at LaGrange College in the counseling program,’” explains Dr. Justin Muller, an Assistant Professor in the discipline.
He points to several internal and external factors that have contributed to the exponential growth.
“We promote the success of our alumni and students through social media and our webpage,” he says. “Prospective students can see themselves as part of our program.
“Also, our CACREP accreditation is very visible, and that has really opened up lots of doors for us.”
The leading accreditor in the field, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs endorsed LaGrange’s program in 2021.
The LaGrange degree also offers several unique advantages, according to Dr. Muller.
It emphasizes community service and social justice—while putting those beliefs into action. And, it offers a virtual track for completing the degree, which has proven popular.
Regarding external factors for the recent growth, he points to lessening social stigma of seeking counseling and a new program in Georgia that repays educational expenses for counselors who work in the state for a certain period.
While the growth has been challenging, he says, the faculty strive for personal relationships and a family atmosphere.
“A student recently told me that he learned the most about how to provide counseling services based on how our faculty treats the students versus what we teach in the classroom.”
A professor’s ‘push’
Blair Thompson ’23 is pursuing her third LC degree, this time in the Counseling program, and she says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“In terms of academic support, the professors have been amazing—encouraging, understanding and always willing to help,” she says. “When I started the program, I was very quiet, but my professors pushed me in the best way possible. Now, while I’m still somewhat reserved, I feel much more confident being vulnerable, asking questions and even giving presentations.”
She is currently in the internship phase of the program, where 600 hours of clinical experience must be completed. She hopes for a permanent position at the site once she passes her exams.
“The Counseling program has equipped me well for this career,” she says. “Counseling is a profession of continuous learning and growth, and I appreciate that this program has fostered both my personal and professional development.”
Future forecast
Entering an entirely different arena of academic and professional pursuit, the college launched a master’s in computer science earlier in 2025.
As with all the graduate initiatives, the move was grounded in the mission to help meet local workforce needs.
“The graduate programs we provide—indeed, all new programs that we offer—are meant to fulfill a local or regional employment need,” says Dr. Peterson. “For example, the Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction was created because there was a desire among teachers in the region to receive additional education to advance into administration and to receive salary increases. Our M.S. in computer science was founded on a desire to help local industry as well.”
As he considers the area’s economic forecast, he envisions other new graduate offerings in the years to come.
“Given the significant increases in manufacturing over the next five to 10 years in LaGrange and in Troup County, I have been discussing with faculty the creation of graduate programs in supply chain and logistics management, human resource management and organizational leadership, among others,” he says.
It appears that the hooding ceremony at commencement may just be getting a bit longer.
