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About the South Carolina Honors College
The South Carolina Honors College (SCHC) is a small liberal arts school within a large research university. As a student, you can major in any of our undergraduate programs while learning in an intensive, hands-on environment. Classes are taught in small groups, usually 12 students or less. You will be encouraged to explore your major through research opportunities. You will have access to all of Carolina’s many resources and several that are unique to the Honors College. Specially assigned staff members are available to assist you in competing in national awards programs such as the Truman scholarship and Fulbright programs. You will also have an Honors College advisor who will help guide you through your undergraduate career and prepare you for your next steps. You may also choose to live in honors housing, located in the heart of campus. Honors College housing allows students to get to know one another better and support each other academically. Classes in the Honors College are taught by the University’s best professors. There are honors courses that fulfill general education requirements, such as biology labs and English courses. There are also courses unique to the Honors College. These courses offer in-depth exploration of topics not taught through other academic units. Students usually select a mix of honors courses and general University courses each semester. If you are thinking of a career in medicine or law, planning to attend graduate school, or looking to learn alongside a group of elite students, the Honors College may be for you.
Career Opportunities
As a student in the Honors College, you will be prepared to succeed in whatever career you choose. Our students become leaders in their chosen fields. Our alumni include numerous doctors and lawyers, foreign service officers, distinguished professors and researchers, CEOs, and inventors. Among graduates applying to medical schools, 88 percent are placed in their first choice. The Honors College diploma is recognized by employers and graduate schools worldwide. The University Career Center is available to assist you in choosing a career direction and increasing your marketability upon graduation. For additional information, call the center at 803-777-7280. They offer many services to honors students, including career planning, internship placement, resume preparation, and preparation for graduate school.
Admission/Progression Requirements
Admission to the SCHC is based upon proof of a student’s potential for high academic achievement. Admission criteria include outstanding high-school work, the ability to write well, high aptitude-test scores, and a strong intellectual curiosity. To apply to the Honors College, you must complete the regular application to the University as well as the Honors College supplement. Once you have been accepted to the University, your application will then be reviewed for the Honors College. Students competitive for admissions usually score between 1350 and 1450 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT. The average high-school GPA for admitted students is 4.49. If you are a transfer student or a student already enrolled in the University and have a GPA of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale, you may also be considered for admission. Your admission is contingent on a review of your college record, quality of your application, and the availability of space in the Honors College. Students with a 3.50 college GPA or greater are encouraged to apply for transfer admission to the Honors College as rising sophomores; students with more than 45 college credit hours need to seek special permission from the dean to apply. To remain in good standing at the college, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 during your freshman year. The GPA requirement rises incrementally throughout your college years, reaching 3.30 during your senior year. You must also earn at least nine honors course credits during your freshman year, 18 by the end of your sophomore year, and 27 by the end of your junior year. If you fall short of these requirements, you have one semester of probation to increase your GPA or the number of honors courses to meet the required level. In order to graduate “With Honors from South Carolina Honors College,” students must complete 45 hours of honors courses and a senior thesis. You will have a thesis advisor to help you throughout the thesis process. Your thesis is an exploration of one of your major interests and may take the form of an internship, research, paper, or other type of production.
Programs of Study
You may choose to major in any of the academic programs offered at USC. Many courses that satisfy major progressions are offered through the Honors College. Approximately 150 courses are offered each semester. Additionally, the Honors College offers a six-year joint BA/BS/JD degree. The Honors College also offers a unique degree, the Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae (Bachelor of Art and Science). If you are seeking this degree, you’ll construct a program of study tailored to your specific interests. This degree is most suitable for students preparing to continue their studies beyond the baccalaureate level, especially in areas expecting a broad educational experience, such as law, government service, and medicine. Admission to this program is based on outstanding academic work and a commitment to developing expertise in disparate areas.
Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae
This degree allows students whose interests fall outside traditional disciplinary boundaries to pursue undergraduate studies that fit their individual interests, needs, and aptitudes. The individualized curriculum of a Baccalaureus degree candidate is supervised by an advisory committee, which aids candidates in course selection and career orientation. In place of the University’s traditional major and other requirements, Baccalaureus students must take a wide range of courses designed to develop intellectual inquisitiveness. These requirements are constructed so that students satisfy the basic degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. While pursuing this degree, you must also must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at the 300 level, submit a senior thesis or project worth 9 to 15 credit hours, and complete a total of 69 credit hours of honors courses. Graduation with the Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae requires a 3.50 cumulative GPA. Additional requirements are set by your advisory committee, depending on your goals and needs. See the South Carolina Honors College Handbook for more details.
The Honors College also offers a minor in inquiry for students who wish to prepare for an intensive undergraduate research experience. The program of study, designed in close consultation with your major and SCHC advisors, will provide a richer understanding of the logic, conduct, and context of inquiry in related disciplinary arenas. Eighteen credit hours are required to satisfy the minor, and interested students must complete an application to qualify for the minor. Applications can be submitted any time after completion of the first year.
Of Special Interest
The South Carolina Honors College is composed of approximately 1,200 students. Honors College students are often leaders in campus-wide activities. Many participate in student government, student media, fraternities, and sororities, as well as special interest groups.
South Carolina Honors College Web site