Frequently Asked Questions at the USC Upstate Greenville Campus
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions at USC Upstate Greenville Campus. For additional questions or to set up an appointment to speak with a counselor, contact us at 864-552-4242.
1. What majors are offered at USC Upstate Greenville Campus? Are all of the courses that I need offered in Greenville?
If a student chooses one of the 10 majors currently offered at USC Upstate Greenville Campus, they will be able to get all of the necessary coursework in Greenville. The majors include business, nursing, engineering technology management, interdisciplinary studies, information management and systems, and education (early childhood, elementary, middle school, special education and the evening program in elementary).
The Communications – Journalism and Electronic Media major will return to the Greenville Campus in Fall 2011. Additional majors to be offered at USC Upstate Greenville Campus are under consideration.
2. What are the steps in the Admissions process?
A prospective student submits an application with a non-refundable $40 application fee. If an application is submitted online, the non-refundable application fee is only $30. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be sent directly to the USC Upstate Admissions Office in Spartanburg. See Application Process for more information.
3. What is the latest date by which I must apply?
USC Upstate admissions are on a rolling basis. You may submit an application up to the second day after classes have met. However, it is advisable to apply in April for summer or fall semesters or apply in October for spring semester. Note that “fall” courses begin in mid-August and “spring” courses begin in January.
4. How many online courses are offered? Are there distance education courses?
The number of online courses is increasing. Distance education courses are also offered. Using state-of-the-art technology, professors offer courses via two-way audio/video. Students hear and see classmates from the USC Upstate Spartanburg Campus. The professor alternates teaching locations, making it possible for students at both sites to have direct contact with the faculty member.
5. What courses will transfer from previously attended colleges?
If a student transfers from a two-year technical college in South Carolina, a maximum of seventy-six (76) are transferable. A maximum of ninety (90) credits may be transferred from a four-year college. The state of South Carolina provides a list of courses which may be transferred from South Carolina Technical Colleges. The list is on page 23 of the USC Upstate Catalog. In considering courses that will transfer, the prospective student must take into consideration the major(s) he/she wants to pursue. General and specific school transfer information is available on the USC Upstate Admissions website.
Prospective students are encouraged to make an appointment with a transfer admissions counselor who holds office hours on Tuesday at the USC Upstate Greenville Campus. The transfer admissions counselor will prepare a tentative evaluation of the credits earned and relate it to the student’s major field of interest. For a tentative transcript evaluation, students must provide a copy of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts will be reviewed by your department upon acceptance.
6. What is meant by course equivalency?
Both terms refer to the similarity of course content from another college to that of a course offered by USC Upstate Greenville Campus.
7. What are general education requirements?
General education requirements are liberal arts courses, designated as 100 and 200 level introductory courses in seven areas. These areas are mathematics, arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, foreign culture and computer science.
8. How do major courses differ from the general education courses?
Major courses are designated as 300, 400 and 500 level courses. Major courses enable a student to specialize in a particular area of interest. A minimum grade of a “C” is required in major courses.
9. What are COGNATE courses and how do they relate to MINORS?
Cognate courses and minors are concentrated study in an area that complements that of the major. Cognate courses and minors must be junior or senior level classes. In order to declare a minor, the student must work with his or her advisor. Minors currently are available in twenty-one disciplines. More information can be found in USC Upstate’s Academic Catalog under Academic Programs.
10. What are pre-requisite and co-requisites
Pre-requisites are courses that must be taken prior to a higher-level course. Co-requisites are course that may or must be taken concurrently.
11. How many credits are required for graduation?
In order to graduate from USC Upstate, a student must earn between 120 and 128 credits, including credits that transferred.
12. How many credits must be earned “in residence” in order to graduate from USC Upstate Greenville Campus?
The last twenty-five percent, generally thirty (30) credits, must be earned at USC Upstate Greenville Campus and/or at the Spartanburg Campus, in order for a student to graduate from USC Upstate. Academic residency or “in residence” means that students are regularly enrolled in the University.
13. If I have been accepted but did not attend USC Upstate either on the Greenville Campus or the Spartanburg Campus, do I apply again and pay the $40 admission fee?
If you have been accepted to USC Upstate but did not attend the USC Upstate Greenville Campus or Spartanburg Campus, you would need to complete another application for admission. You would have to pay the $40 fee again. If you apply online, you pay a $30 application fee.
14. If I have previously attended USC Upstate and would like to attend classes at USC Upstate once again, do I need to reapply?
If you have previously attended USC Upstate and would like attend classes at USC Upstate once again, you would need to complete a readmit application. You would have to pay a $10 readmit fee.
15. Explain the library services for USC Upstate Greenville Campus students.
To access the USC Upstate for students on the Greenville Campus, visit the library web site. USC Upstate Greenville Campus students also have access to a virtual library at the University Center of Greenville, the F.W. Symmes Library and Media Center.
Library Hours at the USC Upstate Greenville Campus
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Sunday | 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
16. What financial aid is available?
All students must complete the federal form, FAFSA. The USC Upstate code is "006951." A financial aid counselor is scheduled to meet with prospective and continuing students at USC Upstate Greenville Campus at least once a month. More information about financial aid can be found on the USC Upstate Financial Aid website.