USC Sumter

Associate’s Degree Programs

The University of South Carolina Sumter awards the Associate in Arts degree and the Associate in Science degree to those students who have earned 60 hours of credit approved by the academic dean of the Sumter campus and have completed the following requirements:

Associate’s Degree Requirements

A.A. A.S.

Course Requirements Hours Hours

English 101, 102 6 6

Humanities/Fine Arts

Art; English (200 level or higher); Foreign Language; History; Music, Philosophy; Religious Studies; Theatre and Speech; WOST 111 9–10 6–7

Social/Behavioral Sciences

Anthropology; Economics; Geography; Government and International Studies; Psychology; Sociology; WOST 112 9 6

Natural Sciences

Astronomy; Biology; Chemistry; Geology; Marine Science; Physics; WOST 113 7–8 10–12

Mathematics (must be MATH 111 or higher) 3 6

Free Electives 24–26 23–26

Total 60 60

In addition to the requirements stated above, a student must meet the following criteria for an Associate in Arts or an Associate in Science degree:

1. Cumulative 2.00 GPA

2. Fifteen semester hours earned from the University of South Carolina Sumter

3. No more than 15 hours of nontraditional credits which include DANTES, CLEP, and military experience.

4. ENGL 101 and 102 must be completed with grades of C or higher.

Transfer credits earned at other institutions must be evaluated to determine which credits, if any, will be approved toward the 60 credit hours needed for an associate’s degree.

Many students who enter the Associate in Art or the Associate in Science degree programs intend to apply these credits toward a baccalaureate degree awarded by another campus or institution. These students are advised to work closely with an academic advisor to outline a program of study that will meet preliminary requirements of the four-year major they wish to pursue. Applying for an associate’s degree does not in any manner affect eligibility to apply for a baccalaureate degree, and vice versa. Details about degree requirements may be found in the section "Baccalaureate Degree Programs."

Associate’s Degree in Nursing

Central Carolina Technical College in cooperation with USC Sumter offers a curriculum which leads to an associate’s degree in nursing. Nursing courses are taken at Central Carolina. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students are awarded an Associate in Health Science degree with a major in nursing by Central Carolina Technical College and they become eligible to take the National Council of Licensure Examination (the State Board of Nursing Examination for Registered Nurses).

1. All students interested in the Associate’s Degree in Nursing program must first contact Central Carolina Technical College. A representative of Central Carolina Technical College will counsel each prospective student and provide a letter of intent.

2. The student takes the letter of intent to USC Sumter’s admissions office to start the admissions process.

3. Upon formal acceptance to USC Sumter, the student must attend orientation to take placement tests.

4. After completing orientation, the student calls the Advisement Center to schedule an advisement appointment.

Two classes of ADN students are admitted during each academic year. One class begins nursing course work in September and the other begins in January.

Courses required before acceptance to the Associate’s Degree in Nursing program and taken at USC Sumter: ENGL 101, PSYC 101, BIOL 243, 243L.

Program of Study (beginning each fall)

Fall

BIOL 244, 244L (4 hours)
ENGL 102 (3 hours)
Nursing courses1 (8 hours)

Spring

Nursing courses1 (15 hours)

Summer

BIOL 330, 330L (4 hours)
PSYC 420 (3 hours)
Non-nursing elective (3 hours)

Fall

Nursing courses1 (12 hours)

Spring

Non-nursing elective (3 hours)
Nursing courses1 (7 hours)

Program of Study (beginning each spring)

Spring

BIOL 244, 244L (4 hours)
ENGL 102 (3 hours)
Nursing courses1 (8 hours)

Summer

BIOL 330, 330L (4 hours)
PSYC 420 (3 hours)
Non-nursing elective (3 hours)

Fall

Nursing courses¹ (15 hours)

Spring

Nursing courses¹ (12 hours)

Summer

Nursing courses¹ (7 hours)
Non-nursing elective (3 hours)

¹Associate’s Degree in Nursing courses taught at Central Carolina Technical College.

Baccalaureate Degree Programs

The University of South Carolina Sumter offers students the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree (B.A.I.S) awarded by USC Columbia, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (with a concentration in management) awarded by USC Aiken, and Bachelor of Arts degrees in early childhood education and elementary education awarded by USC Spartanburg. The degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing is available from both USC Columbia and USC Spartanburg. Registered nurses can combine their previous education and nursing experience, general education courses available at USC Sumter, and professional nursing courses that are delivered by distance education to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Two courses in the USC Columbia plan are taught on the Columbia campus. In addition, USC Sumter offers at least two years of study which may be applied toward over 60 baccalaureate degrees offered by the University of South Carolina.

Each college within the University stipulates specific requirements that must be met in order to obtain a baccalaureate degree. Please see the USC Columbia bulletin, available online at www.sc.edu/bulletin, or the bulletins of USC Spartanburg (at www.uscs.edu/catalog0001) and USC Aiken (at www.usca.sc.edu/bulletin/contents.html), for details about baccalaureate degree requirements. Students who intend to change to one of the University’s other campuses should plan their program of study carefully in consultation with an advisor.

Those students who are interested in a major field of study not listed in this bulletin should check the appropriate campus bulletin for a complete list of requirements.

Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies degree program serves the student who has unique educational and career goals. A curriculum responsive to these academic goals is structured by a committee composed of two faculty members and the student. Course requirements are those established by the student and approved by the advisory committee. Once the program of study is approved, the student is expected to follow it closely. The B.A.I.S. requires a minimum of 120 hours of academic credit and conforms to all general University academic regulations for baccalaureate degrees. In addition, a minimum of 30 semester hours must be earned after being accepted into the B.A.I.S. degree program.

Subject to University and departmental policy, students may apply credits earned through independent study toward the B.A.I.S. degree. Up to 60 semester hours earned in an accredited associate’s degree program may be accepted toward fulfillment of B.A.I.S. requirements. University policy also permits up to 30 semester hours earned in correspondence, telecommunications, service schools, and off-campus extension classes to be accepted in partial fulfillment of baccalaureate degree requirements.

Baccalaureate Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies after Three Undergraduate Years and One Year of Medical or Dental School. Upon application to the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, a student who has completed 90 hours or more of undergraduate work at the University of South Carolina (and the last 30 of which have been in residence at the University) with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 will be granted the baccalaureate degree in interdisciplinary studies provided that:

1. The applicant has satisfied all graduation requirements for the B.A.I.S. degree at USC, except for the final 30 hours.

2. The applicant has not applied these USC credits to obtaining a baccalaureate degree from another institution.

3. The applicant submits an official transcript from an accredited medical or dental school demonstrating satisfactory completion of the first year of study leading to a postbaccalaureate degree.

4. The dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management certifies that the requirements prescribed for the degree have been met.

Students enrolled in the University of South Carolina should contact the dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management if they plan to leave the University prior to completion of a baccalaureate program to enter an accredited medical or dental school.

For more information, see the USC Columbia Undergraduate Studies Bulletin.

USC Aiken Bachelor of Science Degree in ?Business Administration

Students must comply with the requirements of the USC Aiken bulletin for the B.S. in Business Administration. USC Aiken program requirements are reflected in the USC Sumter bulletin so far as publishing deadlines allow.

The mission of the School of Business at USC Aiken focuses on teaching with a mission to provide an accredited undergraduate program at multiple locations, preparing our students to meet the challenges of global business and dynamic society, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship. The USC Aiken School of Business is accredited by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Curriculum

The School of Business offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. The area of concentration is management. To qualify for graduation, a student must meet general education requirements, business core requirements, and area of concentration requirements. Students are encouraged to choose courses that will contribute to their educational development in the liberal arts as well as their development and preparation for particular careers. Students should become very familiar with the degree requirements under which they are to be graduated and seek proper advisement where needed.

Admission Standards for the Professional Business Administration Program

The baccalaureate curriculum of the School of Business is divided into two years of general education and two years of professional training, referred to as the Professional Program. Students who fulfill the admission requirements of USC Sumter may enroll in the lower-level, or preprofessional, curriculum. Students may enroll in upper-level business courses provided that they meet individual course prerequisites and have not been declined admission into the School of Business Professional Program. An application for admission into the Professional Program will be automatically processed by the School of Business for each student meeting the following criteria:

1. the student has declared a business administration major;

2. the student has earned at least 60 hours of credit toward a business degree.

The application will be processed at the end of the appropriate semester (the one following the attainment of at least 60 hours toward a business degree). The application for transfer students entering USC Sumter with 60 hours or more of business degree credit will be processed at the end of the semester following admission.

The criteria for admission to the Professional Program is a cumulative overall grade point average (collegiate GPA) of 2.25 or higher for students entering during the 2001–2002 academic year and at least 2.50 for students entering during the 2002–2003 academic year. Students who are declined admission into the Professional Program due to grade point averages less than that required will not be permitted to register for upper-level business courses (300 and above) and will not be allowed to enroll in such classes until they have raised their grade point averages sufficiently and have been admitted to the Professional Program. Students declined admission to the Professional Program may appeal the decision by requesting a personal interview with the Professional Program Committee.

Students with more than 60 hours are responsible for ensuring they have been notified of their application outcome (the Notification of Admission Application Outcome). Students are responsible for ensuring that they have received such notification no later than the end of the semester subsequent to completing 60 or more hours toward a business degree. Students not notified should contact the Professional Program Committee.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration

1. General Education Requirements (60 hours*)

Skills and Competencies (15 hours)

ENGL 101 and 102 (6 hours)

MATH 170 and 122 (6 hours)

THSP 140 (3 hours)

Methods and History of Disciplines (35 hours)

Natural Sciences: astronomy, biology, chemistry, marine science, physics (8 hours, including two labs)

Social/Behavioral Sciences: ECON 221 and 222 (6 hours)

Psychology, sociology, anthropology, geography, or political science (6 hours)

Humanities: Two courses from HIST 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, and 109 (6 hours); at least three hours must be from HIST 101 or 102

English Literature 200 or above (3 hours)

Two courses from art history, religion, philosophy (not logic), history, English literature, MUSC 110, MUSC 145, and THSP 200 (6 hours)

Free Electives (10 hours)

Can include up to three hours of economics/business administration courses.

The School of Business encourages the study of foreign languages as free electives.

2. Business Core Requirement (39 hours)

ACCT 225, 226; MGSC 291; ABUS 345, 350, 363, 371, 379, 380, 383, 390, 478; ABUS 396 or AACC 338.

3. Management Concentration Requirements (21 hours)

AMGT 374, 376, 473, 475, 477 (15 hours)

AMGT 378, 411, or ABUS 429 (3 hours)

Business electives: Business or economics courses (300 or above) or computer science courses (146, 210, or above) (3 hours)

Total hours required: 120 hours*

*At least three credit hours must be in non-Western world studies. A non-Western world studies course is any course which focuses substantially on the culture of regions of the world other than Europe or those areas in which the dominant culture is European, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Study of the cultures of the indigenous peoples of these countries may be acceptable, but this would not include the study of contemporary African Americans, Japanese Americans, and other assimilated ethnic categories.

All business administration majors are required to earn a C or higher in each course (business electives excepted) satisfying the area of concentration requirements. Each student in the School of Business must also earn at least a 2.00 average overall on business core and concentration area courses for graduation. At least 50 percent of the business administration credit hours required for the business administration degree must be earned through USC Aiken. Students must also complete assessment procedures as required by the school.

Computer Application Proficiency Exam

Students must demonstrate proficiency in computer applications either by passing MGSC 190 or by earning a passing score on the Computer Application Proficiency Exam.

Students passing the Computer Applications Proficiency Exam do not receive credit for MGSC 190.

To take the proficiency exam, students should follow these steps:

1. Obtain a Proficiency Exam Form from the proficiency exam coordinator.

2. Complete the form and return it to the coordinator.

3. Pay the finance office (at either USC Aiken or USC Sumter) an examination fee of $30 and obtain a receipt for this amount.

4. Arrange with the coordinator a time for the exam.

Students who fail the exam must take MGSC 190.

Proficiency Portfolio in Writing

The Rising Junior Proficiency Portfolio in Writing serves two purposes:

1. to certify each student’s writing proficiency within the context of general education assessment;

2. to make all students aware of the necessity for developing and transferring their writing skills beyond the composition sequence.

To these ends, each student must submit a writing proficiency portfolio as soon as possible after the completion of 60 credit hours. Transfer students who have reached the 60-hour level through the accumulation of course credit at other institutions are given up to 30 hours in residency at USC Sumter to build their portfolios. The portfolio requirement must be satisfied before graduation. Failure to submit a portfolio will result in the placement of a hold on the student’s records.

Questions concerning this process should be addressed to the student’s advisor. The director of writing assessment or the director of the writing room (both at USC Aiken) may also be contacted for this purpose.

For this year’s schedule of submission deadlines, please consult the USC Aiken undergraduate calendar, obtainable from the student’s advisor.

The Rising Junior Proficiency Portfolio in Writing is designed to allow students seeking a baccalaureate degree from USCA an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply the skills and competencies they began to develop in the composition sequence to University writing contexts beyond that level. It will consist of four course-assigned papers selected by students as examples of their best writing and one reflective essay annotating the various reasons for the selections.

The four course-assigned papers may include researched writing, essays, extended essay exam answers, journals assigned for class, or other appropriate written assignments. No more than one of these may come from the composition sequence. Since the portfolio is designed to show the range of a student’s writing, the student is encouraged to select work from a variety of courses.

Each selection must be identified by course title, semester taken, and instructor’s name. All four papers may be rewritten to demonstrate the student’s current writing proficiency, for a paper deemed satisfactory at the freshman level may not adequately demonstrate proficiency at the rising-junior level. When a paper is rewritten, it must be accompanied by a copy of the original class paper and the course information listed above. The reflective essay will serve as a cover essay for the portfolio and should discuss the reasons the student selected each paper.

While papers from USC Aiken/USC Sumter classwork are preferred, transfer students may submit papers from other academic settings if the student is within the final 30 hours of course work for a degree.

Those students who have demonstrated competency in university-level writing will be certified as having satisfied USC Aiken’s expectations concerning writing proficiency within the context of general education requirements. Those students whose portfolios do not meet expectations will be required to enroll in and pass ENGL 201.

Academic Discipline or Grievances

Students enrolled in the USC Aiken Business School Professional Program may continue judicial process initiated on the USC Sumter campus for either student academic discipline or student academic grievances by appeal to the vice chancellor for academic affairs at USC Aiken.

Special Note

Reinstatements, grade changes, and withdrawals due to extenuating circumstances must be submitted through the USC Aiken process once students seek USC Aiken baccalaureate degrees.

USC Spartanburg Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education

The University of South Carolina Spartanburg and the University of South Carolina Sumter have formed partnerships to better serve the needs of students in the Sumter area wanting to earn a degree in either early childhood or elementary education. Students interested in becoming certified teachers will complete their first two years of general education at USC Sumter, enrolling in courses outlined in an articulation agreement which guarantees that courses taken at USC Sumter will satisfy general education requirements for a B.A. in elementary and early childhood education from the University of South Carolina Spartanburg. All junior- and senior-level professional education courses for the degree will be offered either on the USC Sumter campus or in public schools in the Sumter area.

The USC Spartanburg Teacher Education Program is organized around the theme "the teacher as reflective practitioner." Teachers prepared at USC Spartanburg are knowledgeable of the liberal arts and applicable content areas, the latest developments in curriculum and instruction, and the foundations of education. They understand and respect cultural diversity and place the welfare and educational needs of their students first. As reflective practitioners, they are committed to a service ideal built upon professional standards and ethics. The USC Spartanburg Teacher Education Program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Successful completion of the USC Spartanburg program entitles the student to a recommendation to be certified in every state in the United States. In order to be certified in South Carolina, prospective teachers must complete an NCATE certified program.

Elementary Education

The program is designed to prepare students to teach in grades 1–8. The program consists of a general liberal arts background, professional educational training, and preparation in content concentration. During the semester in which students are enrolled in directed teaching (SEDL 470), they spend each school day for a period of 15 weeks in the elementary or middle school to which they are assigned. For the elementary education degree, students spend half of their directed teaching experience at one level and half at another. Students are expected to complete a broad general education course requirement, including communication, mathematics, arts, humanities, natural sciences, and foreign cultures.

Early Childhood Education

The early childhood education program provides preparation for teaching in four- and five-year-old kindergartens and in grades 1–4. A substantial portion of the curriculum consists of course work in the liberal arts to establish a broad educational background prior to the professional sequence of courses. A content concentration in sociology or psychology provides related course work in a subject specialization. The professional sequence provides content and direct opportunities for field experience. The final experience is a semester-long student-teaching assignment, of which half is in a preprimary (4- and 5-year-olds) setting and half in a primary setting (grades 1–4).

Course Offerings

Junior- and senior-level courses in the professional education program are taught on the campus of USC Sumter. Some courses are offered in the traditional classroom setting on the USC Sumter campus; other courses are offered via a state-of-the-art telecommunications system that links USC Spartanburg teacher education classrooms. Courses may originate in the distance learning classroom either at USC Sumter or at USC Spartanburg. Courses taught by telecommunications are totally interactive. Students at USC Sumter and USC Spartanburg see and hear each other and the instructor as if they were in the same classroom. Preservice teachers will be required to use this technology during the learning process, and, as a result, they will be "fearless" and more effective users of technology in the classrooms of the 21st century. Students are invited to visit the distance learning classroom on the campus of USC Sumter to experience this innovative delivery system.

Admission to the Professional Program

Students must apply to the School of Education for admission to the professional program, which covers the junior and senior years. The professional program application form may be obtained from the school office and must be filed with that office at the beginning of the term in which students complete 60 semester hours of study. Admission of applicants is based on individual consideration. Each applicant must fulfill the following requirements:

• completion of ENGL 101 and 102 and THSP 140 or their equivalents with grades of C or higher

• successful completion of the prerequisites for MATH 111

• cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 on at least 60 hours earned

• the achievement of passing scores on the Praxis Pre-professional Skills Test (PPST)

• two satisfactory recommendations: one from the general faculty and one from the School of Education faculty.

Action is taken on a student’s application as soon as the academic records are available. Students who are accepted enter the professional program. Students whose applications are denied are advised of their alternatives.

USC Columbia Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (R.N. to B.S.N. plan)

USC Columbia’s College of Nursing offers the B.S.N. degree with nursing courses delivered by distance education and two nursing courses taught on the Columbia campus. The plan allows R.N.s to capitalize on their previous experiences by further developing skills in analysis, evaluation, and patient care management and increasing their professional knowledge. This flexible plan allows students to begin nursing courses in either fall or spring. Students complete their general education work through USC Sumter and take their professional nursing courses through USC Columbia. Interested students should contact the USC Columbia College of Nursing for further information and to apply.

USC Spartanburg Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (for Registered Nurses)

The R.N. completion track is offered to registered nurses who are graduates of an accredited associate’s degree or diploma program in nursing that leads to the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. This program offers the R.N. student on the Sumter campus the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to practice nursing in a wide variety of professional settings and provides the educational foundation that is the basis for graduate study in nursing. Didactic classes are conveniently held on Tuesday in cooperation with S.C. Educational Television. Interested students should contact the Mary Black School of Nursing for further information.

Special Programs and Opportunities

University 101

University 101 is a three-hour seminar course, open for credit only to freshmen and to other undergraduate students (i.e., transfer students) in their first semester at USC. This course provides an introduction to the nature and importance of university education and a general orientation to the functions and resources of the University.

The course helps new students adjust to the University, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential academic survival skills. It also provides students a support group in a critical year by examining problems common to the new-student experience. Extensive reading and writing assignments relevant to the student’s college experience are required.

Organized in small groups of 20–25 students, University 101 is taught by faculty members and administrative personnel who have a special interest in working with new students. The course may be taken as part of a student’s regular load or as an overload. Course credit is awarded on a letter-grade basis. Credit is applicable as elective credit toward almost all baccalaureate degrees offered by the University.

Opportunity Scholars Program

The University of South Carolina Sumter offers the Opportunity Scholars Program (OSP), an academic support service for students. The purpose of OSP is to help students complete a baccalaureate degree. Students chosen to participate are those who have backgrounds that may make adjustment to college life more difficult than for their fellow students. Many of the OSP students come for specific help but find that OSP is a well-rounded program that offers free tutoring; an up-to-date computer lab; cultural enrichment activities; career search and counseling; staff mentors; workshops on resumes, writing, study skills, and time management; supplemental classes; and transfer help and advisement.

The success rate at OSP is very high, and we welcome qualified students when there is an opening. Our program has a maximum enrollment of 150, and everything is free to participants.

USC Columbia Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Many students who enter USC Sumter intend to apply their credits toward a baccalaureate degree. These students are advised to work closely with their advisor to outline a program of study for the first two years that will meet preliminary requirements of the four-year major they wish to pursue.

These students are also strongly advised to obtain and use a copy of the undergraduate bulletin for the Columbia campus when determining specific degree requirements. Preliminary course work toward the following USC degree programs may be completed at USC Sumter:

Business Administration

Accounting
Business Economics
Finance
Insurance and Risk Management
Management
Management Science
Marketing
Real Estate

Criminal Justice

Education

Physical Education
For other areas of study, see "Liberal Arts," below

Engineering

Chemical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management

Administrative Information Management
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management
Retailing
Sport and Entertainment Management

Journalism and Mass Communications

Advertising
Journalism
Print
Public Relations

Liberal Arts

African American Studies
Anthropology
Art
Classics
Economics
English
Film Studies
Foreign Languages French German Greek Italian Latin Spanish
Geography
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
International Studies
Latin American Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Sociology
Theatre and Speech
Women’s Studies

Music

Jazz Studies
Music Education
Music History
Music Performance/Piano Pedagogy
Music Theory/Composition

Nursing

Nursing

Pharmacy

Pharmacy

Science and Mathematics

Biological Sciences
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Geological Sciences
Marine Science
Mathematics
Medical Technology
Physics and Astronomy
Statistics