USC Union has established roadmaps for success to help students achieve their educational and professional goals after they graduate. Students can now enroll in four different educational pathways that will lead them straight into programs at 4 year institutions when they graduate from USC Union with an associate’s degree.
Introduced in 2024, the 2 + 2 Fast Track to Teaching is a partnership with USC Upstate that allows students to begin pursuing a degree in Education at USC Union while addressing statewide teacher shortages. There are three pathways – Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Middle Level Education. Students will take all their prerequisites and core classes at USC Union, graduate with the associate’s degree, and go straight into USC Upstate’s Education program. One student from USC Union entered the program last year, and this year, 16 students are enrolled. Through this program, student who are from Union can also do their student teaching in Union if they choose.
New this year is a partnership with USC Columbia’s College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management. This program includes six pathways – Hospitality Management, Services Management, Tourism Management, Retailing (Retail Management), Retailing (Fashion Merchandising), and Sports and Entertainment Management. Similarly, students complete core classes at USC Union and continue the program in Columbia upon graduation.
Students seeking a career in pharmacy can now begin their path to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree while here at USC Union. A new partnership with the College of Pharmacy at USC allows students to complete a dual Associate of Arts and Science at USC Union, then earn a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science and Doctor of Pharmacy in Columbia. This program is longer – six years or 16 semesters total.
Finally, a new partnership with the McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise allows students to complete a minor in Entrepreneurship while at USC Union. Students can combine this minor with any major, and can complete all of the course requirements during their freshman and sophomore years, officially earning the minor when they graduate from USC with their bachelor’s degree. This opportunity is also available for students attending Palmetto College online.
For each of these programs, the course requirements are mapped out by semester, so students have a guide detailing which classes they need to take next.
“These transfer pathways serve as a clear map that connects our students to the broader USC system and guides them through to the completion of their bachelor’s degree, ensuring they have access to opportunities beyond their first two years at USC Union,” said Dr. Majdouline Aziz, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at USC Union. “Students take the specific courses required to complete their degrees in these fields, setting them up for success early and providing a clear understanding of how each course fits into the bigger picture. This structure ensures that their credits count, helps them save time and money, and removes the uncertainty that can sometimes come with choosing a plan of study by outlining from the start exactly what they need to take to graduate. We are committed to supporting our students throughout their entire academic career, and with new transfer pathways on the horizon, we look forward to expanding these opportunities even further.”
The Bantam Blog 