Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment courses have been a feature in South Carolina high schools since 1972. These courses provide an avenue through which highly-talented high school students can earn college credit while simultaneously meeting high school graduation requirements. Students typically take two college-level courses per semester (6 credit hours), taught by an approved USC Sumter professor. The professor designs the course including the syllabus and all major assessments and the course is the equivalent of those taught at the University of South Carolina.
- In this arrangement, when the student successfully completes the course, USC Sumter posts the earned credit to the college transcript and the high school posts the earned credit to the student’s high school transcript. If you decide to enroll in a course for dual credit, please be aware that you are establishing a permanent college transcript, so your success is very important.
- Dual enrollment courses count toward the grade point average (GPA) and hours earned (and attempted) for a student’s first year in college which can affect eligibility for financial aid programs in subsequent years in college.
If you're interested in the Dual Enrollment program provided through USC Sumter, please contact your school guidance counselor to discuss the possibility of participating.
Early College
High School students who participate in USC Sumter's Early College program come on the USC Sumter campus and take classes concurrently with college students. After successfully completing the program, the student earns an Associate of Arts degree from USC Sumter while concurrently satisfying the requirements for their high school diploma.
To enroll in this program a student must have successfully completed specified high school credits by the end of his or her sophomore year in high school. Upon the recommendation of their high-school counselors and meeting the necessary academic criteria, students enter the program in the summer prior to their junior year. For the next two years, students take a full load of college-level work (12 credit hours per semester). Though they are no longer taking courses at the high school, students in the program are encouraged to remain engaged with their school’s extra-curricular activities such as athletics and the arts.
At the end of the course, credit earned by satisfactory completion of dual enrollment courses (usually an earned grade of “C” or higher) will transfer to public South Carolina institutions, provided that the course is listed on the USC Course Equivalency database.
If the course is not included in the link above, you are responsible for contacting the higher education institution to see if the course credit will be accepted.
If you plan on attending a private institution in South Carolina or any public or private institutions outside of South Carolina, you are responsible for contacting the institution and obtaining written assurance that the dual enrollment course credit will apply toward your degree requirements.
If you're interested in the Early College program provided through USC Sumter, please contact your school guidance counselor to discuss the possibility of participating.
Benefits of Both Programs
Participation in either of these programs will significantly decrease college costs, prepare students for advanced-level college work, and improve their understanding of the demands of college. Students also benefit from an expanded set of curricular offerings.