College Academic Policies

Entrance Requirements

New freshmen who meet University admissions standards are eligible for admission to degree programs offered by the college. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another college on the Columbia campus must be in good standing and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. A student who wishes to enter the College of Arts and Sciences from another USC campus must fulfill one of the following requirements:

1. Be in good standing, meet the admission requirements for a baccalaureate degree on the Columbia campus, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher.
2. Be in good standing and have completed 30 semester hours with a GPA of 2.00 or higher on a USC campus.

Some programs in the College of Arts and Sciences have special admission requirements established by the department or committee that supervises the specific degree program, for example, cardiovascular technology, biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, economics, environmental science, the Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. These requirements are listed below in the sections of this bulletin that describe department and special degree programs.

Progression Requirements

To remain in a degree program offered by the College of Arts and Sciences, a student must make satisfactory academic progress toward the degree. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress may be placed on academic probation or removed from the college. In addition, all students in the college are subject to the regulations on probation, suspension, and readmission in the section of this bulletin titled “Academic Regulations.” Additional progression and retention requirements for specific majors are specified in the appropriate section of the bulletin.

The faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences recognizes the importance of clear, precise, and correct writing as part of a liberal education. Therefore, the faculty encourages the assignment of written work and fully supports professors who require written assignments to conform to reasonable standards of organization, development, coherence, and acceptable English usage.

Attendance Requirements

Enrollment in a course obligates the student not only for prompt completion of all work assigned but also for punctual and regular attendance and for participation in whatever class discussion may occur. It is the student’s responsibility to keep informed concerning all assignments made. Absences, whether excused or unexcused, do not absolve the student from this responsibility.

Absence from more than 10 percent of the scheduled class sessions, whether excused or unexcused, is excessive, and the instructor may choose to exact a grade penalty for such absences.

Graduation

In order to be eligible for graduation, students in the College of Arts and Sciences must meet all course requirements for the degree program, be in good standing, meet any departmental or program requirements, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 on all work attempted at USC.

Department and program requirements appear under the appropriate departmental listing.

Advising

Students who wish to pursue a degree program in the College of Arts and Sciences must be admitted to the college and advised within the college. Each of the degree programs of the college has a director of undergraduate studies who supervises the academic advising of the students majoring in that program. Although it is the responsibility of students in the college to ensure that they complete all graduation requirements, the faculty and administration of the college make every effort possible to see that students are provided with accurate and timely academic advising. Students must see their academic advisors at least once each semester for assistance in planning their academic program. No student will be allowed to complete the registration process without an advising form approved by an assigned advisor.

Freshmen planning to major in one of the college’s degree programs in the humanities, social sciences, or arts are advised by the college’s freshman Dean’s advisors. Assignment of students to specific Dean’s advisors is handled by the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Advising in Flinn Hall; upon the completion of the first 30 hours, students are sent to the major department or program, where they are assigned a major advisor who is responsible for planning and approving the program of study. Freshmen planning to major in the sciences, mathematics, statistics, or cardiovascular technology are assigned a major advisor upon entry to the college.

During the next-to-last semester before graduation, students must arrange for the academic advisor to complete a major program card; students must then schedule an appointment for a senior records check in the undergraduate dean’s office. Any deficiencies in general education, major, minor, cognate, or special departmental requirements will be noted. This information should form the basis for the student’s final academic advising.

All advising, senior records checks, graduation, and related processes for students majoring in one of the college’s degree programs are supervised by the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Advising, Flinn Hall.

It is the responsibility of each student to understand and complete all requirements for the degree. Each student should obtain a copy of the Guidelines for Advising.

The student’s major department and major advisor should be consulted for interpreting and applying major, minor, and cognate requirements.  The College of Arts and Sciences Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Advising is the final authority on all degree requirements.  Students should consult this office all concerns on the applicability of curricular requirements. 

Students seeking further information should contact Dr. Loren Knapp, knapp-loren@sc.edu or call 777-2993/2505.

Right of Petition

A student may seek relief from academic standards and regulations by appealing to the Scholastic Standards and Petitions Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences. Information on procedures may be obtained from the Offices of Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Advising in Flinn Hall.