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" I am an athlete here at USC Aiken. The professors work well with me, and understand that I am going to miss class occasionally. They take time to explain to me the things I missed. USC Aiken is the place for me. "
- Jeremy Smith , Business Administration major
Did You Know?
USC Aiken has some of the best professional schools in South Carolina. All three - business, nursing, and education - have received the highest level of accreditation possible. This means more opportunities for you to learn from the best and brightest the University has to offer.
"USC Aiken has the best faculty around! Professors and advisors really have your best interest in mind and will always work with you."
- Dalisha Williams, Middle School Education major
"USC Aiken has so much to offer. Whether it’s Greek life, student activities, athletics, honor societies, or residential life, our campus is full of opportunities and ways to become involved."
- Aaron Doctor, Exercise and Sports Science major
"USCA has many different students from many different backgrounds, but one thing that ties us all together is the campus atmosphere. When I left high school I was scared that I was not going to meet anyone that would be as good as my friends back home. Within my first couple of days at USCA, I had more friends than I have ever had before."
- John Ellis, Communications major
"During the course of my freshman and sophomore years, I was a resident in the Pacer Downs. When I first met my roommate my freshman year, we became the best of friends from the get-go. We found out that we were so much alike in many ways. We connected like brothers, and we are still roommates today during our junior year. "
- Anthony (T.J.) Langford, Communications major
"Getting involved in Greek Life and participating in intramural sports is a great way to meet new people. I have participated in every intramural sport offered, and it has helped me stay active. "
- TJ Johnston, Business Marketing major
"Working on campus is a great opportunity for students at USC Aiken. You have the chance to meet so many faculty and staff members and see what happens behind the scenes here at school. Your job will also work around your class schedule because they always put academics first. "
- Chris Brown, Fine Arts major
"I love living in the Honors housing here at USCA. Just living on campus makes participating in university events and activities that much easier. Living in the honors wing is an added bonus because it keeps me in close proximity with like-minded students who are committed to succeeding and in turn inspire me to reach my fullest potential. The atmosphere is great for learning."
- Kelsey LopezdeVictoria, Biology and Psychology double major
"Through the wide variety of classes and clubs, USCA offers a little something for everyone. Its small class sizes, charm, and personal professors make it the perfect choice."
- Jessica Walters, Nursing major
"As a sophomore at USCA, I have really enjoyed the college classroom setting. Since the class sizes aren’t too big, I can always get help from professors anytime I’m in need."
- Thomas Mcleod, Exercise and Sports Science major
"Attending USC Aiken has been a great experience for me. From the campus events to classes and to housing, we are a like a family – a home away from home."
- Alyssa Gadsden, Chemistry major
"I love attending USC Aiken because I feel as if am in a family oriented environment. What I love most about is its location, the independence you gain from attending, and our Pacer spirit!"
- Alesha Jones, Communications major
"I never thought I would meet people from all around the world on such a small campus. You can find the best of both worlds: the advantages of a big campus in a small, friendlier environment."
- Dana Hallat, Biology (pre-dental) major
Advanced Placement at USC Aiken
The University of South Carolina Aiken awards credit for:
* AP (Advanced Placement courses - offered through the College Board),
* IB Program (International Baccalaureate),
* CLEP (College Level Examination Program - offered through the College Board),
* Institutional Challenge Exams and
* Credit for Educational Experiences in the Military.
For additional information about any of these programs, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions,
University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken SC,29801. Admit@usca.edu.
AP Credit
The University of South Carolina Aiken supports the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program, which allows high school students the opportunity to pursue college-level courses in their own schools and to be taught the material by their own teachers. After completion of the AP courses, students take the appropriate AP test to determine their level of achievement.
Credit is awarded for AP scores in the following areas:
American Government
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for APLS 201.
Art History
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit of AARH 105.
Art Studio: Drawing
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for AART 111.
Art Studio: General
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for AART 104.
Biology
A score of 3 earns credit for ABIO 101 or ABIO 102; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ABIO 101 and 102.
Chemistry
A score of 3 earns credit for ACHM 111; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ACHM 111 and 112.
Computer Science A
A score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for ACSC 145.
Computer Science AB
A score of 3 or 4 earns credit for ACSC 145; a score of 5 earns credit for ACSC 145 and 146.
English Language and Composition
A score of 3 earns credit for AEGL 101; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for AEGL 101 and 102.
English Literature and Composition
A score of 3 earns credit for AEGL 101; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for AEGL 101 and 102.
Environmental Science
A score of 3 earns credit for ABIO 270; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ABIO 270 and AGLY 103.
European History
A score of 3 or 4 earns credit for AHST 102; a score of 5 earns credit for AHST 101 and 102.
French Language
A score of 3 earns credit for AFRE 101; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for AFRE 101 and 102.
German Language
A score of 3 earns credit for AGER 101; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for AGER 101 and 102.
Government & Politics
A score of 3 or 4 earns credit for APLS 101 or 102; a score of 5 earns credit for APLS 101 and 102.
Latin: Vergil
A score of 3 earns credit for ALAT 101; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ALAT 101 and 102.
Latin: Catullus, Horace
A score of 3 earns credit for ALAT 101; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ALAT 101 and 102.
Math: Calculus AB
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for AMTH 141.
Math: Calculus BC
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for AMTH 141 and 142.
Microeconomics
A score of 3,4, or 5 earns credit for AECO 222.
Macroeconomics
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for AECO 221.
Music Listening and Lit.
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for AMUS 173.
Music Theory
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for AMUS 190.
Physics B
A score of 3 earns credit for APHY 201 and 201L; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for APHY 201 and 201L and APHY 202 and 202L.
Physics C Mechanics
A score of 3 earns credit for APHY 201 and 201L; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for APHY 211.
Physics C: Elec & Mag.
A score of 3 earns credit for APHY 202 and 202L; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for APHY 212, however the student must exempt AMTH 141.
Psychology
A score of 3,4 or 5 earns credit for APSY 101.
Spanish Language
A score of 3 earns credit for ASPA 101; a score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ASPA 101 and 102 .
Statistics
A score of 3, 4 or 5 earns credit for ASTA 201.
U.S. History
A score of 3 or 4 earns credit for AHST 201 or 202; a score of 5 earns credit for AHST 201 and 202.
World History
A score of 3 or 4 earns credit for AHST 101 or 102; a score of 5 earns credit for AHST 101 and 102.
IB (International Baccalaureate) Credit
The University of South Carolina Aiken recognizes the academic challenge inherent in the IB Program and encourages students who have completed the IB diploma to apply. IB graduates who score well (4-7) on their Higher Level exams will be awarded college credit as determined by the academic departments. No credit is awarded for subjects passed at the Subsidiary level of IB, nor for scores below 4 on the higher level exams.
IB credit is awarded for IB higher-level examination scores in the following areas:
ENGLISH
A score of 4 earns credit for AEGL 101; a score of 5,6, or 7 earns credit for AEGL 101 and 102.
BIOLOGY
A score of 4 earns credit for ABIO 101; a score of 5,6, or 7 earns credit for ABIO 101 and 102.
BUSINESS AND ORAGANIZATION
A score of 4 earns credit for ABUS 371; a score of 5,6, or 7 earns credit for ABUS 371 and AMGT 376.
CHEMISTRY
A score of 4 earns credit for ACHM 111; a score of 5,6, or 7 earns credit for ACHM 111 and 112.
COMPUTING STUDIES
A score of 4 earns credit for ACSC 145; a score of 5,6, or 7 earns credit for ACSC 145 and 146.
ECONOMICS
A score of 4 or higher earns credit for AECO 221.
LANGUAGES, LITERATURES AND CULTURES
French B: A score of 4 or 5 earns credit for AFRE 101 and 102, a score of 6 or 7 earns credit for AFRE 210.
German B: A score of 4 or 5 earns credit for AGER 101 and 102, a score of 6 or 7 earns credit for AGER 210.
Latin B: A score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ALAT 101 and 102, a score of 6 or 7 earns credit for ALAT 210.
Spanish B: A score of 4 or 5 earns credit for ASPA 101 and 102; a score of 6 or 7 earns credit for ASPA 210.
GEOGRAPHY
A score of 4 or higher earns credit for AGRY 103.
HISTORY
A score of 4 or higher earns credit for AHST 102.
MATHEMATICS
A score of 4 earns credit for AMTH 141; a score of 5,6, or 7 earns credit for AMTH 141 and 142.
MUSIC
A score of 4 or higher earns credit for AMUS 173.
PHYSICS
A score of 4 earns credit for APHY 201; a score of 5,6, or 7 earns credit for APHY 201 and 202.
PSYCHOLOGY
A score of 4 or higher earns credit for APSY 101.
SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY
A score of 4 or higher earns credit for AANP 102.
CLEP Credit
The University awards credit by examination for CLEP SUBJECT exams only. By attaining an acceptable score, a student may receive credit equal to that normally earned in the comparable University course.
CLEP credit is awarded for CLEP Subject examination scores in the following areas:
BUSINESS
Introductory Accounting:
Six semester hours for ABUS 225 and 226. Minimum score of 55. (Calculator permitted.)
Introductory Business Law:
Three semester hours for ABUS 324. Minimum score of 51.
Principles of Management:
Three semester hours for ABUS 371. Minimum score of 47.
Principles of Marketing:
Three semester hours for ABUS 350. Minimum score of 48.
ENGLISH
Freshman College Composition: (Essay Required)
Three semester hours for AEGL 101. Minimum score of 51 plus satisfactory essay evaluation.
Analysis and Interpretation of Literature: (Essay Required)
Three semester hours for AEGL 102. Minimum score of 57 plus satisfactory essay evaluation.
American Literature: (Essay required)
Three semester hours for literature at the sophomore level. Minimum score of 57, plus satisfactory essay section evaluation.
English Literature: (Essay required)
Three semester hours for English Literature at the sophomore level. Minimum score of 57, plus satisfactory essay evaluation.
HISTORY
American History I: Early Colonization to 1877:
Three semester hours for AHST 201. Minimum score of 50.
American History II: 1865 to the Present:
Three semester hours for AHST 202. Minimum score of 50.
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648:
Three semester hours for AHST 101. Minimum score of 50.
Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present:
Three semester hours for AHST 102. Minimum score of 50.
MATHEMATICS
College Algebra:
Three semester hours for AMTH 108. Minimum score of 50.
College Algebra and Trigonometry:
Four semester hours for AMTH 111. Minimum of 49.
Calculus with Elementary Functions:
Four semester hours for AMTH 141. Minimum score of 47.
Trigonometry:
Three semester hours for AMTH 112. Minimum score of 50.
Note: Students are not permitted to earn CLEP credit for both
AMTH 108 and AMTH 111 as test content overlaps.
SCIENCES
General Biology:
Four semester hours for ABIO 101 with a minimum score of 50-55.
Eight semester hours for ABIO 101 and 102 with a minimum score of 56.
General Chemistry:
Four semester hours for ACHM 111. Minimum score of 50.
(Calculator permitted.)
SOCIAL SCIENCES
American Government:
Three semester hours for APLS 201. Minimum score of 50.
General Psychology:
Three semester hours for APSY 101. Minimum score of 50.
Introductory Sociology:
Three semester hours for ASCY 101. Minimum score of 50.
Institutional Challenge Exams
In some disciplines students may receive credit for a course by requesting and earning a B or better on a challenge exam. Departments and Schools determine which of their courses may be challenged and the number of challenge exams that may be applied to major course requirements. Department chairs/school heads should be consulted concerning individual unit guidelines.
Credit granted for Educational Experiences in the Military
USCA recognizes the educational experiences and training that members of the armed forces receive during their time of enlistment. Academic credit may be awarded for educational experiences in the military if they are in accordance with recommendations published by the American Council on Education (ACE) and are consistent with University policy on transfer of credit. Credit will be applied to a degree program upon the approval of the Department Chair or School Head from which the degree is to be awarded.