University of South Carolina-Upstate (USCU) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The University of South Carolina Upstate (USC Upstate) first opened as the Spartanburg Regional Campus, part of the USC system, in 1967. Its purpose was to provide a diploma program for registered nurses when the local hospital, Spartanburg General Hospital, phased out its internal program. The first session served 177 students and was housed inside the hospital’s nursing residence.

USC Upstate became a four-year university in 1975 and offered its first graduate degrees in 1994. Its name was changed to the University of South Carolina Upstate in 2004. Today, it offers a full range of academic programs in liberal arts, sciences, business administration, and nursing and teacher education. Located in the thriving metropolis of Upstate South Carolina, the campus continues to grow and now serves 5,500 students a semester.

USC Upstate has also reached out to the Greenville community by joining the University Center of Greenville (UCG), which is dedicated to providing higher education options to residents of the Greenville Metropolitan Area. USC Upstate is the largest participant by enrollment in the UCG, which is made up of seven universities and colleges. Over 70 percent of UCG’s undergraduate enrollment is made up of USC Upstate students. Through USC Upstate’s partnership with Greenville Technical College, students can pursue technical certificates and associate degrees that will transfer to the beginnings of a baccalaureate degree at USC Upstate in Greenville.

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Information Summary

Ranks 24th in South Carolina and 1426th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	74.0
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$25,442
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	22 / 1110
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	21 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	65% / 50%
Enrollment Total (all students)	6,175

Academics

USC Upstate offers over 40 baccalaureate and master’s programs. Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a full range of subjects including liberal arts and sciences, business administration, interdisciplinary studies, and more, and master’s degrees are offered in elementary education and early childhood education. USC Upstate’s five most popular majors are elementary education, nursing, business, interdisciplinary studies, and psychology.

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate programs at USC Upstate are broken into five colleges or schools: the College of Arts and Sciences; the George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics; the Mary Black School of Nursing, the School of Education; and Pre-Professional Programs. Students can pursue electronic media, mathematics, criminal justice, commercial music, and more through the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Business offers a degree in business administration and economics, with specializations in topics like accounting, management, and marketing. With USC Upstate’s Pre-Professional programs, students have the opportunity to take highly specific academic programs in topics like law, oncology, speech pathology, physical therapy, engineering, and more.

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs in education give students the opportunity to earn professional accreditation in a variety of specific subjects, including early childhood education, middle level education, special education, and teaching English to speakers of other languages. School of Education students are challenged by curricula that combine theory and practice, letting the students gain real-world experience in a variety of public and private schools as well as governmental educational agencies.

Library

Students have full access to the USC Upstate Library, which opened in 1968 and today offers more than 220,000 volumes and thousands of online resources. The library’s offerings include over 100 electronic databases with full-text academic journals, a multimedia library, and computer and equipment labs. The library also has staff members available to help students with their research or to answer questions about navigating the library.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Prospective students to USC Upstate should begin their application processes by taking the SAT or ACT and developing a strong high school transcript. Applicants are evaluated on their grades, level of coursework, class rank, and SAT or ACT scores.

Along with the application form, freshman applicants will need to submit their high school transcripts or GED certificates, along with SAT or ACT scores and a nonrefundable application fee. Transfer students must provide final transcripts from all schools attended and the application fee, and may also need their high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores depending on the student’s age and the number of credit hours completed.

Applicants can apply online through the USC Upstate Admissions website, which offers guidance and step-by-step instructions for completing the application and paying the application fee.

Financial Aid

Students seeking financial aid must complete the FAFSA, which is available for free online at www.fafsa.gov. This form determines eligibility for federal aid money, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. It can also be used as a supplementary document in seeking financial or need-based aid from other third-party sources.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 3934th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in South Carolina.

Students

Students at USC Upstate come from all over the world, reflecting the university’s metropolitan mission. In 2011, USC Upstate hosted students from 36 states and 51 countries.

USC Upstate serves both residential and commuter students. It has three on-campus dormitories and guarantees housing for incoming freshman. The on-campus lifestyle offers convenient access to class, campus events, performances, and more. It also makes it easy for students to get involved with the dozens of student organizations and clubs. USC Upstate students can participate in student government, Greek life, academic organizations, religious groups, honor societies, and more. Student activities are managed by the Student Affairs office, and an updated calendar of events is posted online at the Student Affairs website.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

USC Upstate is an NCAA Division I school with 17 varsity men’s and women’s teams. Its Division I sports include basketball, soccer, golf, cross country, volleyball, and more. The Upstate Spartans compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Student-athletes at USC Upstate have access to a number of athletic facilities, including a baseball park, a soccer stadium, a tennis complex, a softball stadium, indoor gyms and courts, and more. Together, many of these facilities form the Howell Athletic Complex, where team members and other students can practice and play on state-of-the-art fields and courts. For more casual athletes, the USC Upstate Athletics Performance Center offers weight training and gym equipment that will meet the personal fitness goals of any student.

Local Community

USC Upstate is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. An area that began as a frontier trading post, today’s Spartanburg County is home to one of the largest international business communities in the country. The I-85 corridor, which connects Atlanta and Charlotte, feeds the diverse population that makes up the “melting pot” of South Carolina.

Students can access the beach and the mountains in just a few hours’ drive, or simply enjoy the sprawling scenery right on the 330-acre campus. Other local attractions include art shows, repertory theatre, golfing, swimming, historical sites, and more. Many students also choose to donate their time by volunteering with a community group like St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic or Mobile Meals.

Bibliography

University of South Carolina Upstate. Spartanburg, South Carolina. Print.

University of South Carolina Upstate Admissions. USC Upstate. Web. 28 Aug. 2011.

University of South Carolina Upstate Homepage. Web. 28 Aug. 2011.

Upstate Spartans Homepage. Web. 28 Aug. 2011.

University of South Carolina-Upstate