Statement of Vision
Achieving excellence in the education and development of principled leaders.
Mission
As a higher education institution, The Citadel’s mission is to educate and develop our students to become principled leaders in all walks of life by instilling the core values of The Citadel in a disciplined and intellectually challenging environment. A unique feature of this environment for the South Carolina Corps of Cadets is the sense of camaraderie produced through teamwork and service to others while following a military lifestyle.
The Citadel strives to produce graduates who have insight into issues, ideas, and values that are of importance to society. It is equally important that Citadel graduates are capable of both critical and creative thinking, have effective communication skills, can apply abstract concepts to concrete situations, and possess the methodological skills needed to gather and analyze information.
Throughout its history, The Citadel’s primary purpose has been to educate undergraduates as members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets and to prepare them for post-graduate positions of leadership through academic programs of recognized excellence supported by the best features of a military environment. The cadet lifestyle provides a structured environment that supports growth and development of each student’s intellect, discipline, physical fitness, and moral and ethical values. The four pillars which define The Citadel experience for cadets consist of these four developmental dimensions.
A complementary purpose of The Citadel, realized through The Citadel Graduate College, is to provide the citizens of the Lowcountry and the State of South Carolina opportunities for professional development by offering a broad range of educational programs of recognized excellence at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. These programs are designed to accommodate the needs of non-traditional students seeking traditional and demanding academic challenges.
Institutional Characteristics. The Citadel is a coeducational, comprehensive, public, four-year institution whose primary undergraduate student body consists of more than 2,400 members of the Corps of Cadets, all of whom reside on campus. The primary service area for these students is regional, with approximately half of each freshman class coming from South Carolina. The Citadel, however, does draw undergraduate students from all parts of the United States and many foreign countries. The college offers a wide range of baccalaureate degree programs (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing) in the humanities, social and natural sciences, business administration, engineering, and education. These academic programs prepare graduates of the Corps of Cadets for a variety of careers; about half of these graduates enter business and the professions, a third or more enter the military and government service, and the remainder go directly into graduate and professional study. Many graduates choose to pursue professional or graduate degrees later in their careers.
Through its undergraduate and graduate programs, The Citadel Graduate College serves a degree-seeking population of approximately 1,300. The primary service area is the South Carolina Lowcountry. The Citadel Graduate College offers eight baccalaureate degree programs (Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education), seven graduate degree programs (Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Business Administration, and Specialist in Education), and eight certification programs. Meeting the needs of the South Carolina Lowcountry in terms of instruction, public service, and research, including such initiatives as cooperative programs with other educational institutions, is an important part of The Citadel’s mission.
Together, the Corps of Cadets and The Citadel Graduate College enroll approximately 3,700 students, about two-thirds of whom come from South Carolina.
In its education programs, The Citadel acknowledges and endorses the teacher-scholar ideal, recognizing that the excellence of all of its academic programs is dependent upon the quality of its faculty. This ideal is pursued through teaching and lecturing, researching, writing, publishing, and public service. The Citadel’s faculty also address audiences beyond the college by sharing their knowledge with other scholars and with the public.
CHE approval: September 2011
BOV approval: January 2018
Core Values
Honor
First and foremost, honor includes adherence to the Honor Code of The Citadel. A cadet “will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.” The commitment to honor extends beyond the gates of The Citadel and is a life-long obligation to moral and ethical behavior. In addition, honor includes integrity, “doing the right thing when no one is watching.” Finally, honorable behavior includes exercising the moral courage to “do the right thing when everyone is watching.” The Honor Code is the foundation of our academic enterprise.
Duty
First and foremost, duty means to accept and accomplish the responsibilities assigned to me. At The Citadel, my primary duty is to perform academically and then to perform as a member of the Corps of Cadets and the campus community. I accept the consequences associated with my performance and actions. Once I have held myself accountable for my actions, then I will hold others accountable for their actions. Finally, duty means that others can depend on me to complete my assignments and to assist them with their assignments. Duty is also a call to serve others before self.
Respect
First and foremost, respect means to treat other people with dignity and worth -the way you want others to treat you. Respect for others eliminates any form of prejudice, discrimination, or harassment (including but not limited to rank, position, age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, physical attributes, etc.). In addition, respect for others means to respect the positions of those in authority which include faculty, staff, administrators, active duty personnel, and the leadership of the Corps of Cadets. Finally, respect includes a healthy respect for one’s self.
General Information
Purpose of The Citadel’s Military Environment
The Citadel seeks to provide the best qualities of a military and disciplined environment to support the growth and development of character, fitness, and moral and ethical principles, thereby preparing its students to meet the requirements of citizens and especially of leaders. From the first year, with the Fourth-Class System, through the senior year, the military environment requires additional duties and responsibilities not normally found on a college campus.
The military environment at The Citadel also attempts to draw out and cultivate such values as truth, honor, integrity, and courage. Qualities of proper behavior and etiquette are stressed, and excellence in military bearing and appearance is taught. Whether in military or civilian life, the testimony of the value of this institution in service to the nation, state, and local communities is prominent.
4th class - Prepare
3rd class - Engage
2nd class - Serve
1st class - Lead
Brief History of The Citadel
Click here to open The Citadel History page.
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