Carolina Core is the University of South Carolina's general education requirements for every degree program. The table below lists the Carolina Core requirements that must be fulfilled for this major. Each requirement is followed by the USC courses that fulfill the requirement, as well as the technical college courses that you may have taken that are considered equivalent to the USC course, and therefore also fulfill the Carolina Core requirement.
This list does not include every technical college course that is available for transfer to USC. You are not required to take all courses listed prior to transferring. Rather, it is a guide for you and your advisors.* Courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher in order to be considered for transfer credit. Please review GPA requirements.
If you are a South Carolina technical college student who plans to transfer to the university’s College of Education, to pursue a major in early childhood education, you should consider the following courses as you schedule your technical college classes.
The early childhood program leads to SC teacher certification for grades pre-kindergarten through 3.
If you are a student at Midlands Technical College, learn more about direct transfer pathways into the early childhood education program.
| Carolina Core Requirement | USC Course(s) | Technical College Course Equivalent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Writing (CMW) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communications |
ENGL 101 and 102 |
ENG 101 and 102 |
| Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP) |
Two approved courses for analytical reasoning | Two courses from:
|
| Scientific Literacy (SCI) | Two courses/course sets as follows (one must be four hours with lab): | |
| BIOL 110 or 120 | BIO 101, 105, or 112 | |
| Physical or Earth Science | PHS 101 | |
| Foreign Language (GFL) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
Students transferring to USC must show proficiency by scoring a 2 or better on the
University’s placement examination and complete foreign languages as required by the
exam results or complete the equivalent study in a foreign language. |
Two courses in the same Foreign Language selected from:
|
| Historical Thinking (GHS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
HIST 111 or 112 | HIS 201 or 202 |
| Social Sciences (GSS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
GEOG 121 | GEO 102 |
| Fine Arts (AIU) Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding |
One approved aesthetic and interpretive understanding course | One course from:
|
| Spoken Component (CMS) Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication |
SPCH 140 | SPC 205 |
| Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility | POLI 201 or PHIL 211 | PSC 201 or PHI 115 or PHI 110 |
If you are a South Carolina technical college student who plans to transfer to the University’s College of Education, to pursue a major in Elementary Education, you should consider the following courses as you schedule your technical college classes.
The elementary program leads to SC teacher certification for grades 2 through 6.
If you are a student at Midlands Technical College, learn more about direct transfer pathways into the elementary education program.
| Carolina Core Requirement | USC Course(s) | Technical College Course Equivalent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Writing (CMW) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communications |
ENGL 101 and 102 |
ENG 101 and 102 |
| Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP) |
Two approved courses for Analytical Reasoning | Two courses from:
|
| Scientific Literacy (SCI) | Three courses as follows (one must be four hours with lab): | |
| BIOL 110 or 120 | BIO 101, 105, or 112 | |
| Physical Science | PHS 101, CHM 106, 107 | |
| Earth Science | No course available | |
| Foreign Language (GFL) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
Students transferring to USC must show proficiency by scoring a 2 or better on the
University’s placement examination and complete foreign languages as required by the
exam results or complete the equivalent study in a foreign language. |
Two courses in the same Foreign Language selected from:
|
| Historical Thinking (GHS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
HIST 111 or 112 | HIS 201 or 202 |
| Social Sciences (GSS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
Three courses as follows:GEO 102 | |
| POLI 101 or 201 | PSC 201 or 220 | |
| ECON 221, 222, or 224 | ECO 201, 210, or 211 | |
| GEOG 121 | GEO 102 | |
| Fine Arts (AIU) Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding |
One approved aesthetic and interpretive understanding course | One course from:
|
| Spoken Component (CMS) Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication |
SPCH 140 | SPC 205 |
| Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility | POLI 201 or PHIL 211 | PSC 201 or PHI 115 or PHI 110 |
If you are a South Carolina technical college student who plans to transfer to the University’s College of Education, to pursue a major in Middle Level Education, you should consider the following courses as you schedule your technical college classes.
The middle level education program leads to SC teacher certification for grades 5 through 8 in two concentration areas chosen from english, social studies, mathematics, and science.
If you are a student at Midlands Technical College, learn more about direct transfer pathways into the middle level education program.
| Carolina Core Requirement | USC Course(s) | Technical College Course Equivalent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Writing (CMW) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communications |
ENGL 101 and 102 |
ENG 101 and 102 |
| Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP) |
STAT 201 | MAT 165 or MAT 120 |
| MATH 122 | MAT 130 | |
| Scientific Literacy (SCI) | Two courses as follows (one must be four hours with lab): | |
| BIOL 110 or 120 | BIO 101, 105, or 112 | |
| Physical Science | One course from:
|
|
| Foreign Language (GFL) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
Students transferring to USC must show proficiency by scoring a 2 or better on the
University’s placement examination and complete foreign languages as required by the
exam results or complete the equivalent study in a foreign language. |
Two courses in the same Foreign Language selected from:
|
| Historical Thinking (GHS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
One approved history course | One course from: HIS 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 112, 115, 130, 131, 201, 202, 215, 220, 230 |
| Social Sciences (GSS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
One approved social science course | One course from:
|
| Fine Arts (AIU) Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding |
One approved aesthetic and interpretive understanding course | One course from:
|
| Spoken Component (CMS) Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication |
SPCH 140 | SPC 205 |
| Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility | POLI 201 or PHIL 211 | PSC 201 or PHI 115 or PHI 110 |
There are other options and/or additional requirements for completing these sections, depending on degree and emphasis chosen. The courses listed will count in all middle level degree programs at USC-Columbia regardless of degree or emphasis.
Note: If you are transferring from Midlands Technical College or Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, you should also ask your technical college advisor about the Pathways Project. This is a collaborative program for students at these institutions considering transferring into an Education Program at USC-Columbia.
If you are a South Carolina technical college student who plans to transfer to the University’s College of Education, to pursue a major in physical education, you should consider the following courses as you schedule your technical college classes.
The physical education program is an NCATE-approved program that prepares people to teach physical education in public and private schools from grades K to 12.
| Carolina Core Requirement | USC Course(s) | Technical College Course Equivalent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Writing (CMW) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communications |
ENGL 101 and 102 |
ENG 101 and 102 |
| Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP) |
Two approved courses for analytical reasoning | Two courses from:
|
| Scientific Literacy (SCI) | Four courses/course sets as follows: | |
| BIOL 101 and 101L or 110 or 120 and 120L | BIO 101, 105, or 112 | |
| PHYS 101 and 101L or PHYS 201 and 201L or CHEM 102 or 111 | PHS 101 or 115, or PHY 201 or CHM 105, 110, or 112 | |
| BIOL 243 and 243L | BIO 210 | |
| BIOL 244 and 244L | BIO 211 | |
| Foreign Language (GFL) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
Students transferring to USC must show proficiency by scoring a 2 or better on the
University’s placement examination and complete foreign languages as required by the
exam results or complete the equivalent study in a foreign language. |
Two courses in the same Foreign Language selected from:
|
| Historical Thinking (GHS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
One approved history course | One course from: HIS 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 112, 115, 130, 131, 201, 202, 215, 220, 230 |
| Social Sciences (GSS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
PSYC 101 AND | PSY 201 AND |
| SOCY 101 | SOC 101 | |
| Fine Arts (AIU) Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding |
ENGL 283 or 285 AND | ENG 201 or 205 AND |
| One approved fine arts course | One course from:
|
|
| Spoken Component (CMS) Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication |
SPCH 140 | SPC 205 |
| Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility | POLI 201 or PHIL 211 | PSC 201 or PHI 115 or PHI 110 |
| Carolina Core Requirement | USC Course(s) | Technical College Course Equivalent(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Writing (CMW) Effective, Engaged and Persuasive Communications |
ENGL 101 and 102 |
ENG 101 and 102 |
| Analytical Reasoning and Problem Solving (ARP) |
Two approved courses for analytical reasoning | Two courses from:
|
| Scientific Literacy (SCI) |
Two courses (must include one laboratory course) selected from: |
|
| ASTR 101 | AST 101, 102 | |
| BIOL 101 and 101L, 102 and 102L, 110, 120 and 120L, 270 and 270L, BIOL 243 and 243L, or BIOL 244 and 244L | BIO 101, 102, 105, 112, 205/206, 210, or 211 | |
| CHEM 105, 111 | CHM 101, 105, 106, 107, 110 | |
| PHYS 201 and 201L, 202 and 202L, 211 and 211L, or 212 and 212L | PHY 201, 202, 221, 222 | |
| Foreign Language (GFL) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
Students transferring to USC must show proficiency by scoring a 2 or better on the
University’s placement examination and complete foreign languages as required by the
exam results or complete the equivalent study in a foreign language. |
Two courses in the same Foreign Language selected from:
|
| Historical Thinking (GHS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
HIST 101, 102, 104, 105, 106, 109, 111, or 112 | HIS 101, 102, 106, 107, 108, 109, 201, or 202 |
| Social Sciences (GSS) Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding |
One course from:
|
One course from:
|
| Fine Arts (AIU) Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding |
One approved aesthetic and interpretive understanding course | One course from:
|
| Spoken Component (CMS) Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication |
SPCH 140 | SPC 205 |
| Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility | POLI 201 or PHIL 211 | PSC 201 or PHI 115 or PHI 110 |
*Technical students must meet all requirements for admission to USC and must be accepted through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Consult the University Bulletin for specific entrance requirements. Nothing in the foregoing supersedes any University, college, departmental, or programmatic regulation or policy.