Academic Programs

Associate’s Degree Programs

The University of South Carolina offers the Associate in Arts degree and the Associate in Science degree at the Lancaster campus to those students who have earned 60 hours of credit and completed the following requirements:

  • Learning Outcomes
  • Carolina Core - All Associates
  • Associate of Arts Degree Curriculum
  • Associate of Science Degree Curriculum
  • Other Requirements
  • Second Associate’s Degree

Learning Outcomes for Associate’s Degree Programs

Graduates will be able to:

  • Identify and analyze issues, develop logical and persuasive arguments, and communicate ideas clearly for a variety of audiences and purposes through writing.
  • Apply the methods of mathematical, statistical, or analytical reasoning to critically evaluate data, solve problems, and effectively communicate findings verbally and graphically.
  • Apply the principles and language of the natural sciences and associated technologies to historical and contemporary issues.
  • Communicate in more than one language.
  • Use the principles of historical thinking to understand past human societies.
  • Use the principles of the social sciences to explore diverse cultural identities and to analyze political and environmental issues. 
  • Create or interpret literary, visual or performing arts.

and be able to demonstrate at least one of the following:

  • Identify and analyze issues, develop logical and persuasive arguments, and communicate ideas clearly for a variety of audiences and purposes through speaking.
  • Collect, manage and evaluate information using technology, and communicate findings.
  • Examine different kinds of social and personal values, analyzing the ways in which these are manifested in communities as well as individual lives.

Founding Documents Requirement

All undergraduate students must take a 3-credit course or its equivalent with a passing grade in the subject areas of History, Political Science, or African American Studies that covers the founding documents including the United State Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation and one or more documents that are foundational to the African American Freedom struggle, and a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers.  This course may count as a requirement in any part of the program of study including the Carolina Core, the major, minor or cognate, or as a general elective.  Courses that meet this requirement are listed here.

Carolina Core - 15 Hours

These serve as general education requirements common to all associate degrees.

  • CMW: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours) Must be passed with a grade of C or higher
  • SCI: Scientific Literacy (3 Hours)
  • GHS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 Hours)
  • GSS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (3 Hours)

Associate of Arts Degree Curriculum - 60 Hours

  1. Basic Requirements (including 15 hours of Carolina Core stated above) (37-38 Hours)
    All course selections are from the approved Carolina Core Learning Outcomes list unless otherwise specified.
    • CMW: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)
      ​Must be passed with a grade of C or higher
    • ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (3 Hours)
      Choose from MATH, CSCE, PHIL, STAT including MATH 111 Basic College Mathematics or MATH 115 Precalculus Mathematics 
    • SCI: Scientific Literacy (7-8 Hours)
      Must include at least 1 laboratory science course
    • GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-3 Hours)
      ​One 3-hour language course at any level or score of “2” on placement exam
    • GHS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 Hours)
    • GSS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (6 Hours)
    • AIU: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (6 Hours)
    • Choose one of the following three options (3 Hours minimum):
      • CMS: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)
      • INF: Information Literacy (3 Hours)
      • VSR: Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility (3 Hours)
  2. Electives for A.A. Degrees (22-23 Hours)
    Electives may be any additional courses not used to fulfill the previously stated requirements. Students who intend to apply these credits toward a baccalaureate degree awarded by another campus or institution are advised to work closely with an academic advisor to choose electives that will meet preliminary requirements of the four-year major they wish to pursue. Of particular importance is completion of general education requirements. USC Columbia requires a minimum of 31 general education credit hours and a student planning to pursue a USC Columbia baccalaureate degree must complete these hours. These hours can be incorporated within the 60 hours required for an AA or AS degree when electives are carefully selected. Applying for an associate’s degree does not in any manner affect eligibility to apply for a baccalaureate degree, and vice versa.

Associate of Science Degree Curriculum - 60 Hours

  1. Basic Requirements (including 15 hours of Carolina Core stated above) (38-42 Hours)
    ​All course selections are from the approved Carolina Core Learning Outcomes list unless otherwise specified.
    • CMW: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)
      ​Must be passed with a grade of C or higher
    • ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (6 Hours)
      ​Choose from MATH, CSCE, PHIL, STAT including MATH 111 Basic College Mathematics or MATH 115 Precalculus Mathematics 
    • SCI: Scientific Literacy (8-12 Hours)
      Must include at least 2 laboratory science courses
    • GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-3 Hours)
      One 3-hour language course at any level or score of “2” on placement exam
    • GHS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 Hours)
    • GSS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Social Sciences (6 Hours)
    • AIU: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (6 Hours)
    • Choose one of the following three options (3 Hours minimum):
      • CMS: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)
      • INF: Information Literacy (3 Hours)
      • VSR: Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility (3 Hours)
  2. Electives for A.S. Degrees (18-22 Hours)
    Electives may be any additional courses not used to fulfill the previously stated requirements. Students who intend to apply these credits toward a baccalaureate degree awarded by another campus or institution are advised to work closely with an academic advisor to choose electives that will meet preliminary requirements of the four-year major they wish to pursue. Of particular importance is completion of general education requirements. USC Columbia requires a minimum of 31 general education credit hours and a student planning to pursue a USC Columbia baccalaureate degree must complete these hours. These hours can be incorporated within the 60 hours required for an AA or AS degree when electives are carefully selected. Applying for an associate’s degree does not in any manner affect eligibility to apply for a baccalaureate degree, and vice versa.

Other Requirements

In addition to the requirements for the A.A. and A.S. degrees stated above, the following stipulations also apply:

  • Students must have an institutional GPA of 2.00 or better (does not include course grades earned by challenge examinations).
  • The final 15 semester hours must be earned at USC Lancaster.
  • No courses of a remedial, developmental, skill-acquiring, or vocational nature may apply as credit toward degrees.
  • Pass-Fail option on elective courses is allowed.
  • No more than 15 hours of nontraditional credits, which include DANTES, CLEP, and military experience.
  • No more than 3 1-hour PEDU activity courses may count toward meeting Associate’s degree requirements (any track).

Second Associate’s Degree

At times the University of South Carolina Lancaster confers a second associate’s degree upon candidates who have completed all requirements for the second degree, provided that the additional requirements for the second degree include a minimum of 12 semester hours beyond those required for the first degree earned at USC Lancaster and a minimum of 72 semester hours total. Under this policy a student may apply for two degrees at one time or separately. In either case the student would receive two diplomas.

Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Palmetto College

Palmetto College combines the resources of the University of South Carolina system with the flexibility of course delivery formats including on-campus, traditional classes, two-way video classes, and online classes.

Faculties from Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, and Union, as well as Extended University in Columbia, use two-way interactive video to teach students at multiple sites simultaneously as well as fully online, asynchronous instruction. These delivery mechanisms give students access to many more course options than are available face-to-face on their campuses.

  • Liberal Studies, B.A.
  • Organizational Leadership, B.A.

Other Associate’s Degrees

In addition to the Associate in Arts and the Associate in Science degrees, USC Lancaster offers associate degrees in the following fields: business, technical nursing, and criminal justice. Students must also meet the following criteria:

  1. 2.00 GPA or better (does not include course grades earned by challenge examinations);
  2. final 15 semester hours must be earned at USC Lancaster;
  3. grade of C or above in ENGL 101 Critical Reading and Composition and ENGL 102 Rhetoric and Composition.

Associate in Science in Business

The Associate in Science in Business degree seeks to provide educational opportunities that will prepare students for careers in business and industry as well as meet many of the preliminary requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership (BOL) through Palmetto College, or for the Integrated Information Technology Program (iTT) offered at the University of South Carolina Columbia, or for a baccalaureate program in business.

Learning Outcomes

  • After instruction and successful completion of coursework, students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of accounting and financial operations by performing basic functions of business financial operations.
  • After instruction and successful completion of coursework, students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of basic legal concepts by identifying and describing basic legal concepts specific to business and civil court.
  • Students completing the Associate in Science in Business degree program at USC Lancaster will be able to apply basic management theories to reach appropriate business decisions.
  • Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of professional communication skills through the presentation of communiqué aligned to multiple business situations.
  • After instruction and successful completion of coursework, students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of microeconomic by explaining and operationalizing microeconomic theories and concepts.

The associate degree business program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. 

Required Courses

I. Communication/Written Component (CMW) - 6 Hours
Course Title Credits
ENGL 101Critical Reading and Composition (must earn a grade of C or higher)3
ENGL 102Rhetoric and Composition (must earn a grade of C or higher)3
Total Credit Hours6
II. Analytical/Problem Solving Skills (ARP) - 3 Hours
Course Title Credits
Select one of the following:3
MATH 122
Calculus for Business Administration and Social Sciences
MATH 141
Calculus I
MATH 170
Finite Mathematics
CSCE 101
Introduction to Computer Concepts
CSCE 102
General Applications Programming
PHIL 114
Introduction to Formal Logic I
STAT 110
Introduction to Statistical Reasoning
STAT 112
Statistics and the Media
STAT 201
Elementary Statistics
Total Credit Hours3
III. Scientific Literacy (SCI) - 4 Hours
Course Title Credits
One SCI-approved course. Must include lab.4
Total Credit Hours4
IV. Global Citizenship/Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (GFL) - 0-6 Hours
Course Title Credits
Foreign language courses (SPAN recommended) through the 110 level or a score of “2” or better on placement test.0-6
Total Credit Hours0-6
V. Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component (CMS) - 3 Hours
Course Title Credits
SPCH 140Public Communication3
Total Credit Hours3
VI. Global Citizenship/Multicultural Understanding: Social Science (GSS) - 3 Hours
Course Title Credits
Requirements must be met by taking one Carolina Core-approved course in PSYC or SOCY3
Total Credit Hours3
VII. Aesthetic & Interpretive Understanding (AIU) - 3 Hours
or
Global Citizenship/Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (GHS) - 3 Hours
or
Global Citizenship/Multicultural Understanding: Social Science (GSS) - 3 Hours
or
Values, Ethics & Social Responsibility (VSR) - 3 Hours
Course Title Credits
Select one of the following:3
One approved GHS course
One approved AIU course
POLI 201
American National Government (GSS & VSR)
or POLI 341
 Contemporary United States Foreign Policy
or POLI 370
 Introduction to Public Administration
Total Credit Hours3
VIII. Professional Area Courses - 15 Hours - Grade of “C” or better
Course Title Credits
ACCT 225Introduction to Financial Accounting3
SPTE 240Business Law3
or ACCT 324 Survey of Commercial Law
MGMT 371Principles of Management3
Select one of the following:3
FINA 369
Personal Finance
FINA 341
Management of Risk and Insurance
FINA 363
Introduction to Finance
PHIL 320
Ethics
PHIL 324
Business Ethics
Select one of the following:3
ECON 221
Principles of Microeconomics 1
ECON 224
Introduction to Economics 1
FINA 301
Money and Banking
FINA 364
Financial Institutions
1

Credit cannot be received for both ECON 224 Introduction to Economics and either ECON 221 Principles of Microeconomics or ECON 222 Principles of Macroeconomics.

IX. Business Major Courses - 15 Hours - Grade of “C” or Better
Course Title Credits
ITEC 143Advanced Business Document Preparation3
or ACCT 226 Introduction to Managerial Accounting
Select one of the following:3
ITEC 270
Records Control
ECON 222
Principles of Macroeconomics 1
ECON 224
Introduction to Economics 1
MGSC 290Computer Information Systems in Business3
or ITEC 264 Computer Applications in Business I
Select one of the following:3
MKTG 350
Principles of Marketing
MGMT 374
Strategic Human Resource Management
MGMT 376
Employee Engagement
Total Credit Hours12
1

Credit cannot be received for both ECON 224 Introduction to Economics and either ECON 221 Principles of Microeconomics or ECON 222 Principles of Macroeconomics.

Electives

Sufficient credit to have earned 60 hours total. No more than three (3) hours PEDU credit may count. 

Other Requirements

  1. 2.00 GPA (minimum) required on al work attempted at USC.
  2. Final 15 semester hours must be earned at USC Lancaster

Total: 60

In addition to the requirements stated above, students must also meet the following criteria for an Associate in Science in Business degree:

  1. 2.00 GPA or better (does not include course grades earned by challenge examinations);
  2. final 15 semester hours earned at USC Lancaster.

Associate in Science in Criminal Justice

The criminal justice curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, investigation, corrections, law enforcement management, probation and parole, the court system, jail administration, juvenile rehabilitation, insurance investigations, and community service.

Learning Outcomes

  • Knowledge of Justice Systems: Students will be able to identify the core components of the criminal justice system, including local, state, and federal agencies related to delinquency, law enforcement, the criminal courts system, and/or corrections.
  • Effective Communication: Students will be able to effectively communicate criminal justice concepts and issues.
  • Utilization of Technology: Students will be able to utilize technology to locate relevant information on criminal justice issues and problems.
  • In order to receive an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice, students must complete 60 semester hours of required courses as outlined in the criminal justice curriculum.

Required Courses

CMW: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Writing (6 Hours)
Course Title Credits
ENGL 101Critical Reading and Composition (grade of C or better)3
ENGL 102Rhetoric and Composition (grade of C or better)3
Total Credit Hours6

ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (6 Hours)
Course Title Credits
Any six hours chosen from MATH 111 or MATH 115, or approved ARP courses. 16
Total Credit Hours6
1

Credit may not be received for both MATH 111 and MATH 115.


SCI: Scientific Literacy (4 Hours)
Course Title Credits
Select 4 hours of science, including at least one associated laboratory course, chosen from any approved SCI courses4
Total Credit Hours4

GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-6 Hours)
Course Title Credits
Approved GFL courses (SPAN recommended) through at least the 110 level or higher, or a score of 2 or higher on the foreign language placement test0-6
Total Credit Hours0-6

GHS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 Hours)
Course Title Credits
Select one course chosen from approved GHS courses3
Total Credit Hours3

AIU: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)
Course Title Credits
Select one course chosen from approved AIU courses3
Total Credit Hours3
CMS: Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communication: Speech (3 Hours)
Course Title Credits
SPCH 140Public Communication (or any approved CMS course)3
Total Credit Hours3

Major Area Courses (21 hours)

grade of C or better required

Course Title Credits
POLI 201American National Government3
CRJU 101The American Criminal Justice System3
CRJU 202Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice3
CRJU 311Policing3
CRJU 312Corrections3
CRJU 313Criminal Courts3
Select one additional CRJU course at the 300-level or higher


Electives

Course Title Credits
Courses sufficient to have earned a total of 60 hours. No more than 3 hours of PEDU will be considered for degree credit.8-14
Total Credit Hours8-14


Total: 60

In addition to the requirements stated above, students must also meet the following criteria for an Associate in Science in Criminal Justice degree:

  1. 2.00 institutional GPA or better (does not include course grades earned by challenge examinations);
  2. final 15 semester hours earned at USC Lancaster.

Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Many students who enter the Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science degree programs intend to apply these credits toward a baccalaureate degree awarded by another institution. 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 the bulletin for the Columbia campus when determining specific degree requirements. Preliminary course work toward the following USC baccalaureate degree programs may be completed at USC Lancaster:

Arts and Sciences

  • African American Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art Education
  • Art History
  • Art Studio
  • Biological Sciences
  • Cardiovascular Technology
  • Chemistry
  • Classics
  • Comparative Literature
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Dance
  • Economics
  • English
  • European Studies
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film and Media Studies
  • Foreign Languages
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Geology
  • Geophysics
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Latin American Studies
  • Marine Science
  • Mathematics
  • Media Arts
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Sociology
  • Theatre
  • Statistics
  • Women’s and Gender Studies

Business Administration

  • Accounting
  • Business Economics
  • Finance
  • Insurance and Risk Management
  • Management
  • Management Science
  • Marketing
  • Pre-International Business (Subject to separate admission after the freshman year.)
  • Real Estate

Education

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Middle Level Education
  • Physical Education (Athletic Training)
  • Physical Education (Teacher Preparation)
  • (Students interested in secondary education (grades 9-12) should earn a major in the specific subject area they wish to teach and a cognate/component in education. Upon earning an undergraduate BA or BS degree, students pursue a Master of Teaching (MT) degree through which teacher certification requirements are met. Students wishing to earn secondary certification should select a subject area major under one of the colleges or schools. Students interested in K-12 programs in art education (College of Arts and Sciences), music education (School of Music), or physical education (College of Education) can earn a bachelor’s degree in one of these areas and meet teacher certification requirements.)

Engineering and Computing

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Science
  • Mechanical Engineering

Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management

  • Business and Technology Education
  • Hospitality Management
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Retailing
  • Sport and Entertainment Management
  • Technology Support and Training Management
  • Tourism Management

Journalism and Mass Communications

  • Advertising
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Information Science
  • Journalism Print
  • Public Relations
  • Visual Communications

Music

  • Composition
  • Jazz Studies
  • Education (Band, Strings, or Vocal)
  • Performance (Brass, Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice, or Woodwinds)
  • Theory

Nursing

  • Nursing

Pharmacy

  • Pre-Pharmacy
  • (This college is the result of a merger of existing programs at the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina. Pre-pharmacy is offered as an academic track designed to prepare students to apply for admission into the pharmacy professional program. Acceptance into the pre-pharmacy program does not guarantee later admission into the pharmacy professional program.)

Public Health

  • Exercise Science
  • Public Health

Social Work

  • Social Work