In 1896, SCSU was founded as South Carolina’s only public university for black youth. Originally it provided an outreach program that sent agents into surrounding counties to disperse knowledge among poor black farm families. Originally, and still today, the University has educated many school teachers. After World War II, the University saw its funding increase significantly in order to make the “separate but equal” policy a reality. Many students and faculty at SCSU participated in the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s. In 1968, their dedication to freedom saw three students killed and twenty-seven wounded by state officers.
South Carolina State University
Academics
Undergraduate offerings are provided through the College of Business & Applied Professional Sciences; the College of Education, Humanities, & Social Sciences; and the College of Science, Mathematics, & Engineering Technology. These three Colleges house fourteen different departments that offer dozens of different degrees. The Honors program provides growth, distinction, and achievement for the most qualified scholars. The classes are small and challenging, and emphasize critical thinking. Freshman and sophomore classes emphasize content and subject matter, while junior and senior courses focus on application of knowledge within a students’ major.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at South Carolina State University.
SCSU offers the only undergraduate Nuclear Engineering Program in the State of South Carolina. It is also home to the only Environmental Sciences Field Station in the country. SCSU provides the only MS degree in Transportation and the only Doctor of Education Degree in South Carolina.
South Carolina State University
Admissions
South Carolina State requires a completed admissions application, official high school transcript (including GPA and class rank), and scores from either or both the SAT I or ACT before an applicant is considered for admission. High school course requirements include four units of English; three units each of mathematics, laboratory sciences, and social studies; and two units of foreign language. Advanced Placement credit is awarded to students with scores of three and above when tested in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Advanced Placement is granted in twenty-four different classes or disciplines. All new students are required to participate in Orientation, which consists of Orientation Week and the one-semester course University 101, which introduces and acclimates students to the University experience.
Financial Aid
Students who expect to receive aid must maintain the University’s definition of satisfactory academic progress. Depending on the number of hours earned, students may be expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average that is higher than 1.40 or more. Students with 100 hours or more must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0. Students who fail to meet these requirements can be placed on probation or suspended. The Financial Aid Office offers grants and loans, and access to other programs through the National Student Loan Data System and the Department of Education.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
South Carolina State University 1338th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best South Carolina scholarships and financial aid
SCSU offers eight residence halls for women and four residence halls for men. Sixty percent of SCSU undergraduates live in residence halls. Students are often assigned to specific halls based on classification. All residences are fully furnished. The SCSU campus provides an on-campus health center, Counseling and Self Development Center, special programs for disabled students, leadership training, and psychometric services.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at South Carolina State University?
The South Carolina State Bulldogs compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference of the NCAA. Teams include cross country, football, softball, track & field, volleyball, women’s soccer, and men’s & women’s basketball, bowling, golf, and tennis. The South Carolina State football team was the 2004 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference co-champions. In 2005, four members of the SCSU men and women’s track and field teams represented the University at the NCAA Track and Field Regionals. The men’s golf team finished 6th in the Division I, 54-hole National Minority college Golf Championship in 2005. In 2004 the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team recorded their best season since 1991 with a 17-13 record overall and a 4-6 record in Conference play. And the SCSU women’s tennis team found itself in the final rankings of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Top 75 Poll at number 72.
South Carolina State University
Traditions
SCSU has a long and proud history of educating black students for over 100 years. The institution and its constituents were quite active in the civil rights movement, and today they maintain that dedication to civil rights on and off their campus.
Local Community
Orangeburg was originally settled in 1704 by George Sterling, an Indian trader. Today, Orangeburg offers a variety of entertainment and educational activities to locals and visitors alike, including the Edisto Memorial Gardens, Stanback Planetarium, Orangeburg Part-Time Players, and the beautiful Hillcrest Golf Course.
Feel free to add comments or additional information regarding South Carolina State University, or discuss this school in the University Discussion Forum
22 days agoShannon sdc055 ((at)) aol dot com
im a 19 year old white woman, i have been accepted to south carolina state for nursing. BUt i just had a few questions i cant seem to find the anwser to. I know state is a historically black school, but is it an all black school or is there good diversity in the school?
almost 2 years agoAshleigh M.
I currently attend SCSU. I had mixed feelings about the school upon arriving. Even through the course of my year, but now as a Junior, I see that my decision to attend South Carolina State University was one of the best. The teachers DO care about the students, and are very nurturing. They go through struggles just as we do, but they in fact tend to show up and show out, when it comes to their teaching. The University's atmosphere is one of a strong homely tone, and it's best feature being that of an HBCU (Historically Black College or University). Both of my parents graduated from State in the 80's, now recieving memberships in the UPPER middle class. I said that to say, it IS about where you decide to gain your education. It is also about how much you choose to apply yourself upon doing so. I love my school, I've bled red and blue since the day I arrived, and strive to continue my successful path I have laid for myself. GO BULLDOGS! -- I enjoy my: New State of Mind *
about 2 years agoShanell Watson shanell dot watson ((at)) aol dot com
I first joined the SCSU family in 1997. After I graduated in 2001, I felt I had made the best decision ever when I chose SC State. I just opened my own law firm and I am presently the only black attorney as well as the only female attorney in my hometown! If it had not been for State, I would not have had the courage or the knowledge to step into a field so scarcely populated w/ my race & gender. I applied to Harvard, Howard, Georgetown, Spelman, & other highly ranked colleges & universities & was accepted, most w/ scholarship offers. However, my culture led me to SCSU & what a choice! Whomever says SCSU should not offer degrees, should try testing at that university....see how challenging it is!
about 2 years agoJazzy
I received higher than an 1000 on my SATs and got into some of the top schools but I chose to go to SC State because of the atmosphere. I loved the feeling I got when I was on campus. For someone to say that someone shouldn't get a degree from this school if they can't get into a real school is ridiculous. Yes it is true that college is not for everyone but everyone does deserve the right and opportunity to further their education especially at a place like this where they will prepare you for the next level in your life. Any problems that a student may come upon while at this institution are also among other institutions. I have friends that went to universities all around the state and they could identify with the same problems its just that SC State's problems are in the headlines more. As far as SC State losing its accreditation, that is false. There is a rumor that floats around about every two years that they are going to lose accreditation. It is my understanding that SACS checks for accreditation once every 10 years. So it is just a rumor that continues to come around every so often. As long as they continue to do what they are supposed to, they will never lose accreditation.
over 2 years agoR.
College is what you make out of it! This is a excellent school. I attended SCSU back in the 1990's. Several years later... I travel the world and I am a multi-millionaire. The reason... I used the basic skills I learned in college, to help advance in the business world. My associates graduated from other schools: Oxford, Harvard, Stanford. They still run to me for "business advice." NOTE: 1+1=2 at ANY college/university around the world.
over 2 years agowalt jones joneswalton ((at)) hotmail dot com
Bill,
Sadly, you are ignorant to facts and have other issues. I attended SC State University with an SAT score below 1000. I graduated and also recieved a ROTC Commission from SCSU. The professors at SCSU understand the challenging backgrounds of many of thier students...especially those educate in South Carolina's under performing Primary school system.
Both my Academic and ROTC experiences were rigorously challenging at SCSU. In the US Army force, SCSU Officers are highly regarded. Also, I found in my conversation with my peers at other univeristies (Clemson and USC), they were not being as rigorously challenged. In the end, the results are I competed and survived the Army Drawdown of the late 80's, early 90's. I have achieve the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and a MBA degree. I pay taxes to this great country through earning a six figure salary, which is much more than many of my instructors do SCSU earn. I Thank God for them and I Thank God for SCSU!
Mr Bill Hall don't hate! Get the whole story and Accept the Goodness of Truth!
almost 3 years agobill hall bhall ((at)) google dot com
thats bc this university sucks and should not be a university at all! overall sat score below 1000 is a joke! give me a break! if you cant get into a real university you shouldnt be given a degree at a place like this!
over 3 years agoTamylyn tamalar ((at)) hotmail dot com
I attended SCSU and three degrees later, I can tell you that there is really no better University out there in terms of academics and preparing minority students for the "real world." The professors are so caring and nurturing, but in a no nonsense, get your work done, be serious way. It is one of the few areas of mylife that I would not change for anything.. Go Bulldogs!!
about 4 years agoSG msshirley ((at)) hotmail dot com
I have informed that SCSU coulb losing their Accreditations this year. I am a cocerned parent who has a child that attends this college and we stay so many hours away. So I would like to know if this is true or not. If so I need to see about helping my child find another college to attend in the Fall.
over 4 years agoVERA JOHNSON VERA dot JOHNSON44 ((at)) YAHOO dot COM
I am a concern parent, my child attends SC State and has been complaining about campus security. On several occassion she has witness fightings, shootings, etc. and campus security was not available. She has even asked campus employees to contactlaw enforcements in the envent of a crime. Their responses are very slow and not done in a timely manner. I strongly feel that no student should attend college with a fear for their lively hood. Please respond by email. Thanks
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sdc055 ((at)) aol dot com
im a 19 year old white woman, i have been accepted to south carolina state for nursing. BUt i just had a few questions i cant seem to find the anwser to. I know state is a historically black school, but is it an all black school or is there good diversity in the school?