Academic Programs
Academic Programs
Master of Education Degree in Educational Technology
The Master of Education Degree in Educational Technology is designed to
provide advanced professional studies in graduate level course work to develop
capabilities essential to the effective design, evaluation, and delivery of
technology-based instruction and training (e.g., software development,
multimedia development, assistive technology modifications, web-based
development, and distance learning). For more information, see page 158.
Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education
The Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education is designed to
provide advanced professional studies in graduate level course work for persons
who currently hold teacher certification and who are committed to excellence in
elementary education. For more information, see page 152.
Master of Science Degree in Applied Clinical Psychology
The Master of Science Degree in Applied Clinical Psychology provides
graduate study and clinical experience in preparation for careers in applied
clinical and counseling settings and as a foundation for students interested in
pursuing doctoral studies. Students enrolled in this program are expected to
pursue a plan of study to assure increased professional competence and breadth
of knowledge in the field of clinical and counseling psychology. For more
information, see page 161.
Curricula
The curricula established for all baccalaureate degrees include, generally,
a set of courses that fulfill the general education requirements, a set of
courses that comprise a departmental major, a set of courses that comprise a
cognate and several hours of free elective courses. See page 31 for General
Education Requirements. Major, cognate, and elective courses are described under
each individual degree program.
1. Proficiency Portfolio in Writing
The Rising Junior Proficiency Portfolio in Writing serves a twofold purpose:
1. to certify each student’s writing proficiency within the context of general education assessment, and 2. to make all students aware of the necessity for developing and transferring their writing skills beyond the composition sequence.
To these ends, each student must submit a writing proficiency portfolio as soon as possible after the completion of sixty credit hours. Transfer students who have reached the sixty-hour level through the accumulation of course credit at other institutions are given up to thirty hours in residency at USCA to build their portfolios (policy effective: Fall 1996).
Students are encouraged to visit the USCA Writing Room regularly during their first sixty hours to work on their academic writing. Any questions concerning this portfolio process should be addressed to the Director of Writing Assessment.
For this year’s schedule of submission deadlines, please consult the USCA Undergraduate Calendar.
All students are encouraged to work with their academic advisors. Advisors are encouraged to provide warning notices to students who miss designated credit-hour stipulations. Failure to submit can place a student’s anticipated graduation in jeopardy.
The Rising Junior Proficiency Portfolio in Writing is designed to allow students seeking a baccalaureate degree from USCA an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to apply the skills and competencies they began to develop in the composition sequence to university writing contexts beyond that level. It will consist of three course-related papers selected by the student as examples of his/her best writing in the English language and one reflective essay annotating the various reasons for his/her selections. The three course-assigned papers must include researched writing. Essays, extended essay exam answers, journals assigned for class, or other appropriate written assignments may be used. No more than one of these may come from the composition sequence. Since the portfolio is designed to show the range of a student’s writing, the student is encouraged to select work from a variety of courses. Papers produced through group work are discouraged in this portfolio review. Each selection must be identified by course title, semester taken, and instructor’s name. All of these three papers may be rewritten to demonstrate the student’s current writing proficiency, for a paper deemed satisfactory at the freshman level may not adequately demonstrate proficiency at the rising-junior level. When a paper is rewritten, it must be accompanied by a copy of the original class paper and the course information listed above. The reflective essay will serve as a cover essay for the portfolio and should discuss the reasons the student selected each paper.
While papers from USCA classwork are preferred, transfer students may submit papers from other academic settings if the student is within the final 30 hours of coursework for a degree.
Those students who have demonstrated competency in university-level writing will be certified as having satisfied USC Aiken’s expectations concerning writing proficiency within the context of general education requirements. Students who demonstrate exceptional competency will be recognized as meritorious. Those students whose portfolios do not meet expectations will be advised to appeal or to enroll in and pass English (AEGL) 201: Writing in the University.
2. Major Requirements
Each baccalaureate degree program includes courses to enable specialization in a particular area of interest. The competencies to be gained in the course of study in the major are specified in the description of each major.
3. Cognates
A cognate is an additional concentration of study intended to support course work in the student’s chosen major. Cognates differ from minors (see below) as cognate courses may be distributed over more than one subject area and more than one department. Cognate courses should be junior-senior level courses and must be approved by the student’s major department. Cognates or minors are required for most degrees; see the specific requirements in the Bulletin by degree program. Courses taken toward a cognate cannot be counted as major or general education requirements, with the exception of free electives.
4. Minor
A minor prepares the student in a second field which may or may not be directly related to the major field. Requirements are established by the college/school which offers the minor program. See department listings for specific minor requirements. Courses taken toward the minor cannot be counted toward major or general education requirements, with the exception of free electives. All courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher. Students should notify their advisor and the department chair of the minor which is selected. A list of minors available is presented on page 51.
5. Electives
The number of elective credits varies according to the major the student selects. See the descriptions of specific degree programs beginning on page 52 of the Bulletin. Elective credits for participation in University performing ensembles may be counted up to a maximum of 4 credits.
A student must successfully complete at least one hundred and twenty semester credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to earn a baccalaureate degree. Some degree programs require more credit hours and/or a higher GPA. General education requirements are a component of all majors.
The chart on page 50 provides a comprehensive listing of fields available as academic majors at USCA. The programs are arranged by disciplinary area rather than by college, school, or department.
USC Aiken Honors Program
Maggi M. Morehouse, Director
The USC Aiken Honors Program provides an enriched academic experience, both in
and out of the classroom, for outstanding students committed to reaching their
highest potential as scholars and creative thinkers.
Admission Requirements
• First-year students (incoming freshmen) will be invited to participate in the Honors Program based on their predicted GPA.
• Continuing USC Aiken students who wish to apply for admission to the program may do so if they have a 3.5 GPA or higher on at least 24 hours of coursework applicable to their major program of study.
• Transfer students may be eligible for admission if they have a cumulative transfer GPA of at least 3.5 or higher on at least 24 hours of coursework applicable to their major field of study.
• Regardless of point of entry, each student will be screened for admission into the Honors Program. This screening process will include the submission of a 500-word essay on a topic selected by the Honors Program Committee and will have an individual interview with members of the Honors Program Committee.
Continuation Requirements
To remain in the program, a student must maintain a USC Aiken cumulative GPA
of 3.5 or higher and must successfully complete at least 3 credit hours of
honors program course work each academic year. The Honors Program Committee
will review the academic work of all Honors students each year. Students who
do not meet the requirements will be placed on Honors Program probationary
status for one (1) semester. If the student meets the 3.5 standard at the
end of that semester, the honors program probation will be lifted. Failure
to meet the requirements in any semester after honors program probation has
been lifted will result in dismissal from the Honors Program.
Honors Curriculum
To graduate from the USC Aiken Honors Program, a student must earn 24-29 hours
of honors program credits in the following categories. All courses applied to
honors credit must be passed with a grade of “B” or better.
1. Common First Year Honors Course
3 hours
This course will be offered as a separate honors
section of an existing general education course.
The class will be interdisciplinary in nature with
an emphasis on writing and critical thinking skills.
2. Honors Colloquia 3 hours
Three one-hour courses are required.
An Honors Colloquium is a six-week course
(one-credit hour) that relates to an annually
changing theme announced by the Honors Program
Committee. At least one colloquium will be offered
each academic year.
3. Honors-Designated Courses. Total of five courses:
a. Three honors-designated general education/elective
courses are required 9-12 hours
b. Two honors-designated courses are required in the
student’s major field 6-8 hours
An Honors-Designated Course is one that includes
additional learning experiences for honors students.
These courses will not be offered as separate sections;
rather, they will be courses chosen by the department/
school each semester as “Honors Designated.” The
professor will meet separately with honors students
enrolled in the course at least six (6) times during the
semester to work with them on a topic or topics of
interest in order to provide more depth to the course.
4. Capstone Experience/Project
3 hours
The Capstone Experience is a project that will be
completed in the student’s senior year. These projects,
which will be completed under the supervision of a
faculty member selected by the student, require research,
data analysis and communication of the results of the
research or, in the case of the arts, an appropriate creative
project. Honors students will be expected to present the
results of their projects to their peers and to the faculty.
The Honors Program Committee will award prizes to
those students whose capstone projects are deemed to
be the best.
Total 24-29 hours
The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program is structured in part to meet an individual student’s specific academic and career goals. It is designed for those students whose educational objectives are better served by a flexible interdisciplinary program of study rather than by a traditional single-discipline major.
The goals of the BIS program are to offer students:
• in-depth study in a pairing or combination of academic areas or disciplines that reflect the student’s educational and/or career goals;
• the opportunity to discover and/or develop a substantive understanding of the connections between/among those disciplines and areas of study; and
• an opportunity to articulate the strengths, connections, and applications discovered during the student’s course of study for the degree.
USCA offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. Students in the BIS program typically select two academic disciplines for concentrated study instead of majoring in one discipline. Students may select only those disciplines in which USCA offers upper-level courses. Numerous combinations of concentrations are possible. Some examples are studio art and biology; communications and management; computer science and accounting; English and history; sociology and public administration; political science and psychology; philosophy and art history; and engineering and management. Some concentrations also offer several options, such as political science or public administration; performance theater or design/technical theater; and English-literature or English-writing. In addition, several larger interdisciplinary concentrations, such as International Studies, are available.
Admission into the BIS program is by application only. (This is in addition to the application for admission to the University.) Normally a student will not be admitted until he/she is a sophomore. Application should be made at least two weeks before the beginning of the semester in which the student plans to enter the program. The application procedure includes meeting with the BIS Director, completing a statement of educational and career goals, and the selecting of two academic concentrations. At least 30 credit hours of study must be completed under the supervision of an advisory committee established for each BIS student.
Each BIS major must have a completed portfolio on file with the BIS Director before the BA or BS degree is granted. This portfolio will consist of papers written for selected courses in the student’s concentrations, with both concentrations represented. Portfolios will be used for an ongoing process of program assessment. (BIS majors should see the BIS Director for details.)
Students who have taken course work at another college should consult the section on Transfer Admission in this bulletin for more information on the courses that are normally transferable to USCA.
For information on the BIS program, students should contact the BIS Director, Dr. Karl Stenger, in H&SS D-2.
BIS Degree Requirements
1. General Education Requirements.................................................... 53-55
The student must complete the USCA general education requirements.
2. Interdisciplinary Studies Program Requirements........................... 30-60
Based upon each student’s educational and career goals, the members of the student’s advisory committee decide on the courses that will be required in the two concentrations. Due to the individual nature of each program of study, the required number of hours varies. However, a minimum of 15 hours is required within each concentration, and 30 hours are the maximum that can be required in one concentration. A 2.0 grade point average in each concentration is also required for graduation.
3. Electives............................................................................................. 6-36
The number of elective hours available varies considerably, depending on the hours required in the two concentrations.
4. Portfolio on file with BIS Director
Total hours required................................................................................ 120
The Office of International Programs coordinates programs and services that promote international awareness among students and faculty, and addresses contributions and concerns of international students.
The Office provides information to students on study abroad, work abroad and volunteer abroad opportunities. It is the goal of the Office of International Programs to work closely with faculty and staff on developing new study abroad programs for students and to assist faculty with research/teaching projects abroad.
The Office of International Programs provides services to international students on campus. Services include providing information to prospective international students, assisting international students with academic and social issues, and advising on immigration regulations. We work closely with student and community organizations to insure that international students are well-adjusted and successful on campus.
The USCA Office of International Programs has as its mission the provision of a global perspective by advancing knowledge and appreciation of the broader world and its cultures. This is accomplished by bringing the world to USCA via campus lectures, panel discussions, other cultural events, and through internationalizing the curriculum when appropriate.
The Office of International Programs is located in Penland Administration
Building, Room 101F.
Distance Education includes education delivered live via an audio/video connection or education delivered asynchronously via video tape. Web-based distance education includes education delivered via the Internet.
Distance education should not be thought of as merely the addition of new technology to instruction, but also as the means to improve and examine new approaches to instruction. Moreover, distance education offers not only the opportunity to provide quality instruction to those at a distance from the campus, but also a means to improve instructional opportunities for students on campus.
Distance education extends the reach of the campus to the work force by offering college level courses and enhances existing off-campus programs in Sumter, Allendale and Walterboro.
Only catalog courses taught by full-time faculty are offered via distance education.The University of South Carolina Aiken subscribes to the principles of good practice for electronically offered academic degree and certificate programs developed by the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WICHE). The factors for assessment of quality that are included in the WICHE documents are:
• assessment of learners (outcomes, competency of graduates);
• specific goals with clear requirements for courses/ programs;
• selection of media on basis of needs and capability;
• quantity and quality of interaction with other students and instructor;
• support services (facilitator, technology, library services, advising, instructor availability).
Only one associate degree is offered at USCA, the Associate in Science in Technical Nursing Degree (ADN). The Associate Degree in Nursing major is being phased out, and students are no longer being admitted to this major. The final class of ADN students at USCA will graduate in December 2005.
Certificate Program in Writing
This post-baccalaureate, completion certificate program is designed for students who have already earned a college degree but are seeking coursework in writing for work-related purposes or for personal growth and satisfaction. Individuals wishing a Certificate in Writing from USCA must complete 15 hours of course work in writing of which at least three must be in theory. Entry requirements: interview with and portfolio to program director.
The Extended Graduate Campus Office serves the greater University community by offering a variety of courses for graduate credit. These programs are designed to meet the needs of traditional and non traditional students, business professionals, and the community at large.
Through the Extended Graduate Campus, credits toward graduate degrees in Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism, Library and Information Science, Nursing, Public Health, and Social Work may be earned on the Aiken campus. Course work meeting other graduate degree requirements may also be earned.
Utilizing the entire range of educational technology, including live instruction, satellite, web, and DVD delivery, the residents of this region are able to take advantage of the resources of a much larger university without leaving the area. Students interested in additional information concerning graduate programs should contact the Office of Graduate Studies in the Penland Administration Building, Room 101A.
The Professional Master of Business Administration Program is designed to provide, in a schedule suited to the working professional, all the course work required to complete the MBA degree. Most classes are broadcast over a closed-circuit viewing system to the Aiken campus. On-site communication facilities allow two-way voice contact between student and professor during class. Approximately three Saturday sessions in Columbia each semester provide students opportunity for direct interaction with their professors.
From Project Management to Polo 101, from Kids in College summer camps to New York trips, the Office of Continuing Education offers a wide selection of certificate and non-credit learning opportunities, as we support USC Aiken’s mission of serving the public. Our programs strive to meet the needs of busy people by offering a variety of class dates and times, in single, multi-session, and seminar formats.
Our Professional Development and Corporate Training division offers training tailored to the needs of individual businesses. Career development classes are also offered for individuals. Our experts use practical tools and interactive experiences to provide a quality educational experience to meet your specific business needs.
The Academy for Lifelong Learning and SeniorNet programs are another major focus of the Office of Continuing Education. The Academy programs, geared to mature adults, provide opportunities for seniors to explore many fascinating subjects, take trips, and meet others with a passion for learning. The SeniorNet computer classes are unique in that seniors teach seniors. With a high instructor to student ratio, they are successful in creating confident computer users.
The University of South Carolina Aiken is a member of the University Continuing Education Association and, as such, awards certificates recognizing earned Continuing Education Units (CEU’s). A record of past CEU activity is available to the student from the Director of Continuing Education upon written request and with proof of identity.
For information concerning course offerings and activities, please contact the Office of Continuing Education in the Business and Education Building (room 100) at (803) 641-3288 or 3563. Email us at rossiec@usca.edu.
A Distance Education Program offers classes for undergraduate and graduate credit. The course work is designed to meet educational needs of adults with busy professional and personal schedules. Students may study at home using the web, DVD and audiocassettes or by viewing local South Carolina Educational Television broadcasts. As an ITFS (Instructional Television Fixed Service) site, classes held in other locations are viewed on the Aiken campus.
Students who are interested in pre-legal education may enroll in one of several bachelor’s degree programs at USCA. For pre-law advisement and for information on preparing for the Law School Admissions Test, students should contact Dr. Carol Botsch, in H&SS C-5.
| Discipline | Major Num | Graduate Degree | Degree Numbers |
| Educational Technology | 389 | Master of Education | 74 |
| Elementary Education | 310 | Master of Education | 74 |
| Applied Clinical Psychology | 169 | Master of Science | 71 |
| Discipline | Major Numbers | Undergraduate Degree | Degree Numbers | |||||||
| Biology | 106 | BA or BS | 40, 41 | |||||||
| Business Administration | 991 | BS in Business Administration | 46 | |||||||
(area of concentration) |
||||||||||
| Chemistry | 109 | BS | 41 | |||||||
| Communications | 640 | BA | 40 | |||||||
| Early Childhood Education | 311 | BA in Education | 48 | |||||||
| Elementary Education | 310 | BA in Education | 48 | |||||||
| Secondary Education | 373 | BA or BS in Education | 48, 49 | |||||||
Biology (106) |
||||||||||
| Special Education | 385 | BA in Special Education | 4C | |||||||
| English | 115 | BA | 40 | |||||||
(area of concentration) |
||||||||||
| Exercise and Sports Science | 334 | BS | 41 | |||||||
(area of concentration) |
||||||||||
| Fine Arts | 127 | BA | 40 | |||||||
| History | 136 | BA | 40 | |||||||
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 910 | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies | 60 | |||||||
| BS in Interdisciplinary Studies | 59 | |||||||||
| Math and Computer Science | 140 | BS | 41 | |||||||
| Industrial Mathematics | 126 | BS | 41 | |||||||
| Music Education | 328 | BA | 40 | |||||||
| Nursing (RN - 4 year) | 050 | BS in Nursing | 52 | |||||||
| (RN - completion program) | 051 | BS in Nursing | 52 | |||||||
| Political Science | 157 | BA | 40 | |||||||
| Psychology | 159 | BA or BS | 40, 41 | |||||||
| Sociology | 175 | BA | 40 | |||||||
(area of concentration) |
||||||||||
| Discipline | Major Numbers | Undergraduate Degree | Degree Numbers |
| Nursing (2 year) | 961 | AS in Technical Nursing | 24 |
| Discipline | Minor Numbers | School/Department Responsible | Page Number where information is located |
| Anthropology and Human Geography | 877 | Sociology | 73 |
| Art History | 105 | Visual and Performing Arts | 78 |
| Biology | 106 | Biology and Geology | 91 |
| Business | 991 | Business Administration and Economics | 113 |
| Chemistry | 109 | Chemistry and Physics | 96 |
| Communications | 640 | Communications | 53 |
| Computer Science | 108 | Mathematical Sciences | 100 |
| Criminology and Criminal Justice | 763 | Sociology | 73 |
| Geology | 124 | Biology and Geology | 91 |
| History | 136 | History, Political Science, and Philosophy | 66 |
| International Relations | History, Political Science, and Philosophy | 67 | |
| International Studies | 139 | History, Political Science, and Philosophy | 67 |
| Literature | 115 | English | 57 |
| Mathematics | 145 | Mathematical Sciences | 101 |
| Music | 148 | Visual and Performing Arts | 78 |
| Philosophy | 163 | History, Political Science, and Philosophy | 68 |
| Political Science | 157 | History, Political Science, and Philosophy | 67 |
| Psychology | 160 | Psychology | 107 |
| Religious Studies | 168 | History, Political Science, and Philosophy | 68 |
| Sociology | 175 | Sociology | 73 |
| Spanish | 184 | Foreign Languages and Literatures | 61 |
| Studio Art | 104 | Visual and Performing Arts | 78 |
| Theatre | 110 | Visual and Performing Arts | 79 |
| Women’s and Gender Studies | 882 | English | 57 |
| Writing | 115 | English | 57 |
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Comments to smyth@sc.edu 01.04.01
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