Associate’s Degree Programs

The University of South Carolina offers the Associate in Arts degree and the Associate in Science degree at the Union 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.

Carolina Core - 15 Hours

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. Carolina Core General Education Requirements (37-38 Hours)
   ​All course selections are from the approved Carolina Core Learning Outcomes list unless otherwise specified.
   • CMW: Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Written (6 hours)

Note: ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

• ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (3 hours)

Note: Select from MATH, CSCE, PHIL, STAT, including MATH 111 Basic College Mathematics or MATH 115 Precalculus Mathematics

• SCI: Scientific Literacy (7-8 hours)

Note: Must include at least 1 laboratory science course

• GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-3 hours)

Note: One 3-hour language course at any level or a score of “2” on the 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. Carolina Core General Education 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: Written (6 hours)

Note: ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 must be passed with a grade of C or higher.

• ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (6 hours)

Note: Select from MATH, CSCE, PHIL, STAT, including MATH 111 Basic College Mathematics or MATH 115 Precalculus Mathematics 

• SCI: Scientific Literacy (8-12 hours)

Note: Must include at least 2 laboratory science courses

• GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-3 hours)

Note: One 3-hour language course at any level or a score of “2” on the 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 (3 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.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).
• A minimum of 15 semester hours must be earned at USC Union.
• 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 Union 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 Union 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

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 strongly advised to obtain and use the bulletin for the Columbia campus when determining specific degree requirements.

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.

Transfer Pathways

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

• Early Childhood Education – USC Upstate
• Elementary Education – USC Columbia
• Elementary Education – USC Upstate
• Hospitality Management – USC Columbia
• Middle-Level Education (Math, ELA, Social Studies) – USC Upstate
• Middle-Level Education (Science) – USC Upstate
• Nursing – USC Aiken
• Retailing (Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovation) – USC Columbia
• Retailing (Retail Management) – USC Columbia
• Services Management – USC Columbia
• Sport and Entertainment Management – USC Columbia
• Tourism 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.

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 USC Palmetto College 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.

Explore all online degrees offered by Palmetto College here.

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 Union. This course introduces the nature and importance of university education and provides 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 with 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.

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.

Study Abroad

Each year, students participate in study abroad programs in many locations around the world. The Office of Academic and Student Affairs is available to guide students through the study abroad process, providing information about study abroad options, scholarship opportunities, and diverse academic, cultural, and linguistic experiences available to them.

Evening Classes

For the benefit of those whose personal or work schedules make day attendance impossible or impractical, USC Union offers courses after 5 p.m., in two different formats: one hour and 15 minute classes meet twice per week in the early evening, and 2 hour and 30 minute classes meet once per week in the later evening.

Off-Campus/Laurens Classes

USC Union offers a variety of courses in Laurens County at the USC Union Laurens location. This program offers area residents the opportunity to begin their postsecondary education career near home.  The local phone number is 864-681-1456.

Distributed Learning Courses

USC offers a variety of beginning and upper-division courses through the Office of Distributed Learning. Courses are taught via live-streaming video, DVD, and hybrid formats. 

Independent Study

These courses, numbered 399, are available for advanced students who wish to engage in additional study and research in specific areas of interest. Students work under the supervision of a USC Union professor, and a contract approved by the instructor, advisor, and academic dean is required.

Continuing Education

The University of South Carolina Union, in partnership with Ed2go, offers flexible, online, open-enrollment continuing education courses designed to provide the skills necessary to prepare for a new career through career training programs or gain new personal and professional skills through fundamental courses.