Associate’s Degree Programs

The University of South Carolina offers the Associate in Arts degree and the Associate in Science degree at the Sumter 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 Requirements

The Carolina Core curriculum provides the common core of knowledge, skill, and academic experience for all Carolina undergraduates. It has 10 Core components, each with learning outcomes and credit hour requirements. The Core begins with foundational courses early in the undergraduate experience, followed by one or more integrative courses near the end in which selected Core learning outcomes are integrated into the chosen major.

Each of the ten Core components must be met with a Core-approved course. While most Core-approved courses fulfill a single Core component, a few courses, called overlay-eligible courses, have been approved to fulfill two Core components. Every associate degree-seeking student is required to complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of Core-approved courses.

Transfer students who enter USC Columbia, Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter, or Union are subject to the Carolina Core requirements. Any transfer courses that equate to Carolina Core courses will equate to both content and all outcomes associated with the USC Course.

Visit the Carolina Core website for more information.

Carolina Core Courses

• Foundational Courses
• Integrative Courses

Associate of Arts Degree Curriculum - 60 Hours

1. Basic Requirements 
   ​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)
     Select one of the following: 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)
   • Select 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 (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)
     Select one of the following: 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)
   • Select 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 (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).
• At least 15 hours earned at USC Sumter.
• 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 Sumter 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 Sumter 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.

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, BA
• Organizational Leadership, BA

Transfer Pathways

USC Sumter has established transfer pathways within the USC System in the following areas:

• Elementary Education – USC Aiken
• Early Childhood Education – USC Aiken
• Nursing – USC Aiken
• Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management – USC Columbia

Students interested in these pathways are advised to work closely with their advisor to complete the program of study and meet transfer requirements.

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 year at USC Sumter. 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.

Undergraduate Research

Many students enrich the academic experience through research opportunities in all disciplines. Students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor, receive funding for their projects, and gain professional research experiences. The Office of Undergraduate Research assists students in making connections with faculty and facilitating projects. Discovery Day showcases students’ scholarly pursuits in and out of the classroom. Students present their research discoveries through poster discussions, oral presentations, artistic presentations & visual art displays. Some students elect to live together in a unique community on campus. Students will benefit from field trips, the Discover Seminar Series, networking events with faculty and other researchers, and access to service-learning opportunities study abroad programs and internships.

Service Learning

Service-learning offers students an opportunity for hand-on involvement with real world concerns as a venue for educational growth. Combining the academic experience with community service provides a context for testing, observing, or trying out discipline-based theories, concepts, or skills. The Service Learning website offers information on service learning courses available for students.

Leadership Learning

Many programs and activities are available at USC to develop leadership talent in students across disciplines, across colleges, across campus, and throughout the community. Several well known programs include the annual Student Leadership and Diversity Conference, the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP), and the leader mentor network. The ELP assists students in learning about basic leadership theory. Students assess and explore their own leadership style and capacities, develop skills relevant to leadership work, and develop a personal development and leadership plan. Emerging Leader Mentors (ELMs) are students who have been at the university for more than 4 semesters who provide mentoring for first year students and transfer students in the Emerging Leaders Program.

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.

Graduation with Leadership Distinction

Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) is an academic program for students who demonstrate extensive, purposeful engagement beyond the classroom, understanding of course concepts in “real world” settings, and application of learning to make decisions and solve problems. There are five pathways to choose from: Community Service, Diversity & Social Advocacy, Global Learning, Professional & Civic Engagement, and Research. The program is open to all students pursuing an associate or baccalaureate degree in any major from USC Columbia, Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter or Union. Students must submit an application, complete the program requirements, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher upon graduation to earn GLD. Recipients are recognized with graduation honor cords, and the distinction appears on the academic transcript and diploma.

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.