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Palmetto College

Helping students finish their degree online

Palmetto College is an online degree completion program for students who have already completed their general education requirements and need to finish their undergraduate degree. The program is offered by USC campuses throughout the state, including in Columbia, Aiken, Upstate, and Beaufort.

Students admitted as a Palmetto College major at one USC senior campus may not be concurrently enrolled in another degree program at the same or another USC senior campus.

What We Have to Offer

Take a look at our various degree programs

 ACCOUNTING

Accounting

Get the practical knowledge you'll need to become a stand-out job candidate.

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Cybersecurity

Delve into data structures, algorithmic design, and much more.

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COMMUNICATION sm 

Communication

Become an ethical, competent communicator.

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Emerging Media

Learn the practical application of the art of communication.

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Finance 

Finance

Prepare for a career in corporate finance, wealth management, financial planning, banking, or many other career areas.

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MANAGEMENT 

Management

Gain the practical knowledge you'll need to stand out as a job candidate.

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 marketing

Marketing

Learn the practical application of.

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 Clinical Psychology

Psychology

Our undergraduate program involves real-world applications of the various subfields of psychology.

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spED

Special Education 

Prepare for success as a teacher of special needs children in grades K-12.

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Where to Get Started

More details for prospective students

Tuition and Fees

Looking for an overview of our tuition and fees? We have a breakdown of the numbers for this year that goes in-depth on what every dollar goes towards.

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Eligibility

To be eligible for this online degree program, students must have 45-60 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution and completion of specific courses.
GPA Requirements are as follows:

  • Business program: minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Special Education: minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA

Our Palmetto College Coordinator will be happy to review your transcripts to determine eligibility.

Please refer the program-specific eligibility requirements for more detailed information.

How to Apply

Head over to our online application portal and follow the on-screen prompts until you’ve created an account, then follow the steps below.

Make sure to contact a USC Aiken Palmetto College Coordinator prior to submitting your application.

  1. For Application Type, choose Aiken Palmetto College

  2. Enter Admission Term and Name

  3. Fill out the application

  4. Choose your Planned Course of Study (see directions below)

  5. Complete the rest of the application and pay the application fee page ($45 and non-refundable)

Next Steps

What to do after getting accepted

Setup Usernames and Passwords

Self-Service Carolina (SSC), your USC Aiken student e-mail account and more. These are your tools to conduct official business within the University - apply for SC residency, accept financial aid offers, communicate with faculty, staff, etc. See how to set-up usernames and passwords.

Submit your FAFSA

Early submission of your FAFSA can be crucial. You should apply as soon as possible to receive consideration for financial aid. USC Aiken's financial aid school code is 003449. Your award will appear on Self-Service Carolina. For more information, visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

Participate in Orientation

USC Aiken Palmetto College students are required complete orientation before registering for courses. The orientation is a self-paced orientation course offered in Blackboard. Students who do not participate will not be advised or registered for classes. Details will be sent via email.

Verify Citizenship

You need to verify your citizenship (if you have not submitted the FAFSA). You will not be able to register for courses until your citizenship verification is complete.

Claim South Carolina Residency

To claim South Carolina in-state residency for tuition and state scholarship purposes, please do so by logging into your SSC account and completing the "South Carolina Residency Certification" process.

Have test scores sent to us

USC Aiken's school code is 5840. For information on scores we accept, visit the AP/IB/CLEP Placement credit page.

*if applicable

Send Transcripts

If you are currently enrolled in courses, please have your transcript sent to the USC Aiken Office of Admissions once you complete your final semester.

Advisement and Registration

Make sure to sign-up for advisement and registration. Advisement will be conducted via phone, email, videoconferencing, or face-to-face.

Prepare for the Semester

Information regarding your specific program can be found on the Palmetto College website or in your orientation course on Blackboard.

Palmetto College students do not have to meet the immunization requirement nor attend an on-campus orientation.

Still Have Questions?

Answers to your most frequent questions

Do I have to be a South Carolina resident?

No, under State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA), admission to Palmetto College is open to residents of all SARA states. Find out if your state is a SARA state.

How long does it take to complete a degree with Palmetto college?

Most students are able to complete their degree in 2-3 years. Completion time depends on the number of hours transferred and the number of courses a student takes each semester.

When is the last day to submit my application?

The semester deadlines for applications are as follows:
Fall July 15
Spring December 1
Summer April 15

Does Palmetto College offer courses in the summer?

USC Aiken offers a wide-variety of online courses in the summer semesters. While they are not considered Palmetto College courses, they are available to students in the program. Summer courses are primarily offered in a 5-week intensive format.

How much does it cost?

For a full-time student, Palmetto College in-state tuition is approximately $5,000 + fees per semester (fall/spring). Out-of-state tuition is approximately $10,000 + fees per semester (fall/spring). For more financial information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page.

Can I work full-time and attend Palmetto College?

Yes, many of our students have full time jobs already. Palmetto College is designed for professionals who want to complete a bachelor’s degree. Palmetto College students can choose to take a full load of courses, or attend part-time.

How are students who finish the program recognized?

The Recognition Ceremony recognizes the students graduating from our completion program where students are awarded with a Palmetto College pin and an academic medal (if they receive academic honors).

Where can I buy my textbooks?

All the required textbooks can be bought though our bookstore. The list of required textbooks for each course will be on the USC Aiken Bookstore website and on the syllabus provided by your instructor.

Need Help?

Meet our team and contact us to get started

Our Team

Still have questions? Reach out to our team and we’ll get you the info you need.

Director of Online Learning and Support
803-643-5701
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B&E 100

Get Started

Call, chat, or email us today! Our trained representatives can create a plan that takes into account your earned credits and your unique circumstances.

Also feel free to reach out to our team directly This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you've already talked to a Palmetto College representative, go ahead and apply while following the application instructions above.

Apply now

Student Resources

Some resources that you might find helpful

Online ICE Events

Opportunities for cultural enrichment

Academic Calendars

List of all critical dates, including registration, holidays, and exam dates

Writing Profic. Portfolio

Development of writing skills for a variety of settings

Writing Center Tutoring

Help in developing competence in writing

Academic Forms

Forms for academic needs and special cases

Library

The place to go for research and learning

The Admissions staff at the University of South Carolina Aiken understands that the college selection process can be overwhelming. Our staff is dedicated and prepared to help you with information about the University and our admissions process.

Your enrollment counselor is your personal contact at USC Aiken. If you have a specific question, please feel free to contact him/her.

Find Your Enrollment Counselor

Contact Admissions Staff