The mission of the Office of Undergraduate Studies is:
- To provide strategic vision and leadership to the many facets of undergraduate education;
- To engage the campus on academic initiatives that will enrich the undergraduate student experience, and provide every student with the opportunity to thrive;
- To accelerate the development of high-quality academic, experiential, and residential learning opportunities;
- To retain and graduate a diverse undergraduate student body including low-income, first generation, international, and underrepresented students;
- To strengthen student academic support and infrastructure in academic advising in order to reduce barriers to retention and graduation;
- To oversee general education requirements.
In collaboration with USC’s eleven baccalaureate colleges and schools, the University Advising Center (UAC) for Academic and Post-Graduation Success coordinates campus-wide student success initiatives serving 28,000 undergraduate students annually across 160 majors and concentrations.
The UAC supports the university’s academic mission through a wide variety of student services, programs, and offices, including:
- New comprehensive four-year academic advising program designed to provide discipline specific support for students in their academics, experiential learning, and career readiness
- Exploratory advising and academic coaching, including assistance for students who have not yet declared a major
- Specialized transfer student advising
- Direct transfer tracks with South Carolina Technical Colleges/Commission on Higher Ed (CHE)
- Four-year curriculum mapping
- Curricular analytics
- Consultations with faculty on curriculum design
- Special initiatives (faculty/student mentorship, academic intervention and outreach, the Transfer Student Advisory Council, Academic Advising Student Council, annual system-wide Advisors Educational Conference, the University Advisors’ Network, academic recovery initiatives)
- Advising technology implementation and utilization (i.e. DegreeWorks, EAB Navigate, My USC Experience, Self-Service Carolina).
UAC is at the forefront in developing new policies and programs to support student learning. Since the office’s inception in 2015, the UAC has received six national awards from the National Academic Advising Association (including the #1 Outstanding Advising Program for Advisor Training and Certification) and has been featured in multiple publications including The Chronicle of Higher Education for having one of the best Advising programs in the country.
GARNET (Graduation and Retention Network) supports a variety of courses and programs that help students get ahead, catch up or stay on track for degree completion. GARNET directs the programming for:
- Summer Semester
- Winter Session
- Jump Start
- Complete Carolina
- Accelerated Study Plans
All of the above programs are designed to help students reach their educational goals and graduate on time or early.
GARNET also provides services and opportunities for first-generation students and works with campus partners to ensure all students have the best opportunities for success, and to further the University’s mission of retention and timely graduation.
The First Gen Center supports opportunities for first-generation students to excel in their USC studies, both within and outside of the classroom. With active faculty involvement, students are supposed throughout their time as a student gamecock.
The First Gen Center directs the programming for:
- Faculty-directed Living and Learning Community
- Collaborative campus support in a designated space
- Opportunities for access to high-impact practices that encourage retention and degree progression
- Organized supports to pride basic needs for students
All of the above programs are designed to help first-gen students reach their graduation goals.
All inquiries: FirstGen@sc.edu
The Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning (CIEL) cultivates beyond-the-classroom learning and supports transformative educational experiences that bridge academic knowledge with real-world applications. The center serves as a hub for the academic community to foster collaborative approaches that promote interdisciplinary integration and hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students on the Columbia and Palmetto College campuses.
Two signature initiatives, Graduation with Leadership Distinction and Experience by Design, guide and engage students in meaningful reflection on their experiences and prepare them for success after graduation.
Faculty-led LLCs are communities of students that live together in the residence halls
and have shared interests (academic and/or personal) that often cut across traditional
majors and degree programs.
Faculty-student interaction within the communities can lead to positive outcomes in
GPA, retention, persistence and social integration. USC has 7 faculty-led Living Learning
Communities, each led by a Faculty Director, who sets the direction and vision for
the LLC, works to create co-curricular programs, and connects students to other faculty
in intentional way.
At USC we pair within-the-classroom learning with beyond-the-classroom engagement. From the first week on campus until graduation day, Carolina students match courses that interest them with opportunities for leadership development, internships, service learning, independent research and global study. By integrating learning “24/7,” Carolina students gain the knowledge and skill that they need to succeed in college and life. For more within-the-classroom learning opportunities, check out the Carolina Core course offerings and information on more than 100 program majors.
Phi Beta Kappa is both the oldest and the most prestigious undergraduate honor society in the country. It was founded at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, in 1776, as a society to preserve academic freedom and liberal arts education. The Greek initials stand for the motto Philosophia Biou Kybernetes: "Love of wisdom (is) the (helmsman) guide of life."
Not sure about what to major in? Talk with your advisor and the USC Connect office about how to explore the options. The Career Center offers helpful resources, too. By sophomore year you will be well on your way to finding your major and discovering your passion.
View a complete listing of undergraduate majors and minors in the undergraduate bulletin.
Beyond The Classroom Matters records engagement and learning in experiential courses and the co-curriculum.